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