E&C Committee Democrats Urge NTIA to Prioritize Internet Affordability in Critical BEAD Program

Today, Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Doris Matsui (D-CA), and all 10 other Democratic Subcommittee Members wrote to National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Administrator Alan Davidson to express strong support for NTIA’s commitment to internet affordability as it administers the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

The $42 billion BEAD Program was enacted in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law last Congress to expand high-speed internet access, primarily to unserved and underserved areas. As recently as 2021, one quarter of the U.S. population—about 80 million Americans—were on the wrong side of digital opportunity because they lacked a reliable, high speed internet connection.

“Access to internet service is meaningless to consumers if the cost of signing up is a barrier,” the Members warned. “Studies show that nearly half of all broadband non-adopters cited cost as the primary reason they did not have home internet service. Congress has demonstrated a clear commitment to ensuring that internet service is available everywhere and also affordable, particularly for middle-class and low-income families. That’s why we were proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address the digital divide wholistically with programs to advance access, affordability, and adoption."

The Subcommittee Democrats highlighted the affordability provisions included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including the Affordable Connectivity Program and other provisions specific to the BEAD program. NTIA was given administrative oversight and programmatic support responsibilities to ensure the funds would be spent consistent with Congressional intent, including the review and approval of proposals after significant consultation between the state or territory and NTIA. 

“These are critical procedures for NTIA to follow in determining whether low-cost plans are in fact affordable for the areas and markets where they are proposed,” the Subcommittee Democrats continued in their letter to Administrator Davidson. “What is affordable in one community may not be considered affordable in another, so the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law gives NTIA the responsibility of reviewing and approving different approaches on a state-by-state basis.”

Subcommittee Democrats previously wrote a letter to NTIA in March 2022 as the agency prepared to implement the broadband programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, stressing the importance of affordability and empowering the agency to ensure as many people as possible benefit from the program.

“This is particularly important now as NTIA is currently reviewing state broadband plans. It would be a significant missed opportunity in the administration of BEAD if these affordability provisions are not exercised to their fullest to help middle-class and low-income Americans afford the cost of internet service, consistent with the statute. Therefore, we urge you to continue to prioritize affordability in your administration of this bipartisan program and look forward to seeing it connect people in all communities across America to affordable, reliable internet service,” the Members concluded.

Full text of the letter is available HERE. 

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