Representative Angie Craig, Rural Broadband Task Force Introduce Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined her colleagues on the House Rural Broadband Task Force to introduce H.R. 1783, the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act. This legislation makes a bold investment of $94 billion to ensure that rural and underserved communities have affordable high-speed internet access. It also includes Representative Craig's Broadband Consumer Transparency Act which would require sellers of broadband services to display information in a uniform and clear manner at the point of sale to allow consumers to easily compare plans and to understand what they are purchasing.

"Broadband isn't a luxury – it's the infrastructure of the 21st century. Congress must prioritize closing the digital divide between our urban and rural communities – because broadband is vital to the success of every small business, school, hospital, and family in rural and underserved communities," said Representative Craig. "I'm proud to help introduce the Affordable, Accessible Internet for All Act and to support efforts to invest in broadband, which will expand economic opportunity for thousands of hardworking Minnesotans."

The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act would do the following:

Encourages Universal Broadband Access:

• Authorizes $80 billion to deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure nationwide.
• Authorizes $5 billion for low-interest financing of broadband deployment through a new secured loan program.
• Establishes a new office within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to ensure efficient use of federal dollars.

Ensures Internet Affordability:

• Requires an affordable option for internet service plans offered on the newly-built infrastructure.
• Provides a $50 monthly discount on plans for low-income consumers.
• Directs the FCC to collect and publicize data on prices charged for broadband service throughout the country.
• Establishes a "broadband nutrition label" that clearly displays the price and service terms of consumer internet contracts.

Promote Internet Adoption:

• Provides over $1 billion to establish grant programs for states to close gaps in broadband adoption, as well as digital inclusion projects for organizations and local communities to implement.
• Includes $2 billion to enable students without internet at home to participate in remote learning.
• Authorizes funding for Wi-Fi on school buses so students can stay connected, especially in rural areas where longer bus rides are common.

This legislation is the product of extensive collaboration between the House Rural Broadband Task Force, Chairman Frank Pallone and members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senator Amy Klobuchar.