Mfarhanonline Social Media News: FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced Monday that he will be ordering sweeping changes to the Lifeline low-income telecommunications connectivity program. The Lifeline program was formed to help low-income Americans pay for telephone connectivity. Lifeline subscribers have been able to receive as much as $10 off their monthly telephone bills for either a landline or mobile phone. But high-speed Internet has been replacing the telephone as the main connectivity choice for Americans, and the FCC recognizes that shift. “The Lifeline program is outdated,” said Genachowski in an announcement made at Third Way, a D.C.-based think tank. “It’s focused on phones when high-speed internet has become our vital communications plan.” The order, to be sent Tuesday, will begin modernizing Lifeline in three ways: By establishing a pilot program to determine how Lifeline can best be expanded to include broadband access. By increasing digital literacy training at libraries and schools. By building on the FCC’s efforts to expand broadband access and adoption rates. According to Genachowski, this new focus will reflect the FCC’s priority on expanding broadband access as outlined in the National Broadband Plan released in 2010. Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, welcomed the steps being taken by the FCC to increase broadband access across the country. However, he warned in a statement that the program is “years away from having a notable impact on narrowing the digital divide.” SEE ALSO: Google VP Says Internet Access Not a Human Right If implemented, broadband assistance via Lifeline could help low-income Americans stay connected to family, friends, news updates and employment opportunities through the method they’re most comforta! ble with . The Lifeline program will also be overhauled to reduce wasteful spending to the tune of “up to $2 billion over the next few years.” Some of the savings on waste will be used to fund the Lifeline modernization efforts. Currently, Lifeline is largely funded through a charge applied to telecommunications users’ monthly bills. Image courtesy of iStockphoto , shironosov More About: broadband , fcc , internet , national broadband plan Social Media reviews series maintain by Mayya
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