Bills Sec. 31203 — Affordability

In this section: The term broadband or broadband service has the meaning given the term broadband internet access service in section 8.1 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. The term covered broadband service means broadband service being delivered through a broadband network that can easily scale speeds over time to— meet the evolving connectivity needs of households and businesses; and support the deployment of 5G, successor wireless technologies, and other advanced services.

The term covered public-private partnership means a partnership between— a State, 1 or more political subdivisions of a State, a utility (including a utility cooperative), a public utility district, a nonprofit organization, a regional planning council, or an economic development authority; and a provider of covered broadband service. The term State means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States.

In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $280,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2031, for grants to covered public-private partnerships for pilot projects to increase access to affordable covered broadband service in urban communities, including communities of color and for low- and middle-income consumers, through long-term solutions for such affordability.

In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $15,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2031, to administer this section. In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $5,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2031, to establish an advisory committee of 12 members consisting of experts on broadband affordability from diverse backgrounds, to be known as the Affordable Urban and Suburban Broadband Advisory Committee , to advise the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and Congress on ways to make broadband more affordable for urban and suburban broadband subscribers, including for communities of color and low- and middle-income consumers, through long-term solutions for such affordability.

Sec. 31203. Affordability