WASHINGTON (Reuters) – US lawmakers will support $ 1.9 billion to fund a program to remove telecommunications network equipment that the US government says poses national security risks as part of a COVID aid bill. $ 19 billion, two sources said Sunday.
Lawmakers will also support $ 3.2 billion in a broadband emergency benefit for low-income Americans, senior congressional aides confirmed after Reuters first reported planned broadband spending.
COVID-19 aid bill invests $ 7 billion to increase broadband access, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement, adding that the low-income program will “help” millions of students, families and unemployed workers need the broadband they need during the pandemic. ”
The Federal Communications Commission said in June that it had officially designated Huawei Technologies Co. and China’s ZTE Corp as threats, a statement banning US companies from using a $ 8.3 billion government fund to buy equipment from companies.
Earlier this month, the FCC finalized rules that require carriers with ZTE or Huawei equipment to “break and replace” that equipment, but are awaiting funding from Congress.
Huawei said earlier this month that it was disappointed with the FCC’s decision to “force the removal of our products from telecommunications networks.” This overrun threatens US citizens in largely serviced rural areas – during a pandemic – when reliable communication is essential. “
The bill “establishes a temporary emergency broadband benefit program at the FCC to help low-income Americans, including those with economic COVID-19 pandemics, connect or stay connected to broadband.” an information sheet seen by Reuters.
The source also said the program will provide a $ 50 monthly grant to eligible households “to help them afford broadband and an Internet-connected device.”
The bill also expands eligibility for the rip-and-replace reimbursement program for communications providers with 10 million subscribers or less, but prioritizes reimbursement for providers with 2 million subscribers or less, the source said, citing an outline of information.
The bill will include $ 285 million to connect minority communities and set up a Bureau of Minority Broadband Initiatives at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
It will also provide funding to “support educational institutions serving minorities, including when partnering with minority-owned enterprises, to expand the capacity and use of broadband at school and in the surrounding community,” the fact sheet said. and Reuters.
It also includes approximately $ 250 million for additional FCC support for telehealth and $ 1 billion for a tribal NTIA broadband connectivity grant program.
There is a separate $ 300 million NTIA grant program to promote the broadband expansion of disadvantaged Americans, especially in rural areas, and $ 65 million for better broadband maps.
It fully funds the FCC’s development of new, more accurate broadband availability maps to help the agency better target government funding for broadband deployment.
Reporting by David Shepardson; Edited by Lisa Shumaker, Sonya Hepinstall and Diane Craft