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Sen. Jon Tester – Update on available Broadband assistance

SenTesterLive

Senator Tester provided the following resources and information on his continued efforts to improve and expand broadband access, speed and reduce cost.

Keeping Critical Connections Act (S.3569)

The Keeping Critical Connections Act would appropriate $2 billion for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help small broadband companies provide critical internet connectivity for students and their families during the corona virus pandemic.  The fund would estabish a fund to compensate rural broadband providers for offering free or discounted services to families who are struggling to keep up with their bills due to COVID-19.

Keep Americans Connected Pledge

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenges that many Americans have faced, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced the Keep Americans Connected Initiative on March 13, 2020 and extended it to June 30, 2020. In order to ensure that Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity as a result of these exceptional circumstances, he specifically asked broadband and telephone service providers, and trade associations, to take the Keep Americans Connected Pledge.

 

Cares Act

This bill includes $100 million for the REConnect program, an initiative to increase high-speed internet access in rural areas.  The CARES Act also included $50 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services to expand digital network access in areas of the country where such access is lacking.

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