In a move praised by broadband equity advocates, Democratic members of Congress introduced the “Device Access for Every American Act” to help low-income broadband consumers. Rep. Donald McEachin of Virginia and Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia introduced the bill to improve consumer accessibility.
The legislation would allot $1 billion every year for five years to a program that would give Americans a $400 voucher to purchase a device to access the internet—whether that is a tablet, PC and laptop. Qualifying individuals could get up to $800 over the course of every four-year period that the program is in place.
Millions of households across the nation lack access to connected devices. While computer access is nearly ubiquitous amongst high-income households, 40 percent of low-income adults lack a desktop or laptop computer, according to the lawmakers. Additionally, 4.4 million households with students lack consistent access to a computer.
The Device Access for Every American Act would permit up to two low-income individuals per household to receive a voucher, so families can receive multiple devices. It also directs the Commission to collaborate with connected device retailers, promote the program to eligible Americans, and provide individualized technical assistance to assist in enrollment. The National League of Cities, and broadband equity advocates such as Tech Goes Home and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance support the bill.
“Laptops, tablets, and other connected devices are indispensable in our increasingly digital world. Many students’ homework assignments now require laptops, more employers are exploring telework models, and more doctors’ offices are migrating toward telehealth services as the new standard of care,” said McEachin. “The COVID-19 pandemic has further demonstrated this need and underscored the stark disparities that currently exist in our country. For too many low-income Americans, prohibitive costs pose unnecessary challenges and hardships for them and their families.”
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