PSC Extends Million Dollar Grant Program

For Immediate Release
 

      PSC Extends Million Dollar Grant Program

Lincoln, November 5, 2020 – The Nebraska Public Service
Commission has entered an Order (NUSF-92 PO#10) that
will continue to allow carriers to seek reimbursement for
providing broadband service to low-income families affected
by  the COVID-19 emergency.

In March, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the
Commission allocated $1 million through the NUSF Broadband
Adoption Program (NUSF-92) to assist carriers in providing low-
income subscriber’s access to broadband services to facilitate
online learning. The new Order approved November 4 will
extend the program through the end of 2020.

“As we enter the fall, we find Nebraska consumers continue to
face many of the same challenges associated with the pandemic
as they did in the spring,” said Commission Chair Mary Ridder.
“We hope extending this program will help carriers to continue
to provide affordable broadband service to facilitate online
learning for low-income subscribers.”

During the initial program which ran from mid-March through
May 31, the Commission approved reimbursements to carriers
totaling nearly $205,000 providing support to roughly 2,000
consumers.

Ridder said, “With three-quarters of a million dollars remaining
in the program, we hope to incentivize carriers to continue to
seek ways to ensure that the families most likely to have difficulty
paying for internet, receive the service they need as we continue
to cope with the effects of this health emergency.”

The continuation of the Broadband Adoption support will apply
to low-income families added between August 1, and December
31, 2020.

Telecommunications carriers certificated as a local exchange
carrier or registered with the Commission as a communications
provider seeking reimbursement for this extended period may file
requests consistent with the parameters of the program adopted in
March @ < https://tinyurl.com/PSCNUSF92PO10 >. ###
 

Contact:
Deb Collins- Media & Communications Mgr.
(402) 471-0226  deb.collins@nebraska.gov