QUINCY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atlantic Broadband, the eighth-largest cable operator in the U.S., will provide broadband connectivity at discounted prices for financially struggling households through the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.
Under the program starting today, Atlantic Broadband will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households (and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands) so that they can be connected for distance learning, work from home, telehealth and other critical online destinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
New, existing and prior customers that meet financial eligibility requirements may choose from various internet packages with speeds designed to meet a range of household needs. The Emergency Broadband Benefit discount will be applied as a monthly credit against the cost of the Atlantic Broadband internet service selected by each household.
“Atlantic Broadband continues its wholehearted support for initiatives that will help our customers and communities remain connected to the things that are most important to them, especially households that are struggling financially due to the pandemic,” said Heather McCallion, Vice President of Products and Programming for Atlantic Broadband. “The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will ensure that serviceable households have access to powerful broadband speeds up to 1Gbps, delivered over a reliable, fiber-rich network for a great online experience.”
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program was created last December when Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which provides $3.2 billion to fund the program. The program will conclude when the fund is expended or six months after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
It is the second major initiative undertaken by the FCC in partnership with U.S. internet service providers to help households during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last spring, Atlantic Broadband supported customers through the “Keep Americans Connected” program, launching an affordable “Internet Assist” internet package, temporarily suspending disconnects, waiving late fees, and making its WiFi hotspots available to the public during the early months of the pandemic.
Atlantic Broadband has also supported state and local broadband programs, including Connecticut’s “Everybody Learns” initiative, a partnership with the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology, the Connecticut State Department of Education and local school districts.
Households may apply and determine their eligibility for the program by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org/. Once household eligibility has been confirmed, households may enroll in the program at atlanticbb.com/ebb.
ABOUT ATLANTIC BROADBAND
Atlantic Broadband, a subsidiary of Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX: CCA), is the eighth- largest cable operator in the United States, based on the number of television service customers served. The company provides its residential and business customers with Internet, TV and Phone services in 11 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Atlantic Broadband is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. For more information, see atlanticbb.com/ebb.
ABOUT THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a temporary emergency program operated by the Federal Communications Commission to help financially struggling families obtain internet at a discounted price during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon its conclusion, regular rates, terms, and conditions for internet services will apply. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is non-transferable and is limited to one discount per serviceable household. Eligibility for the Emergency Broadband Benefits program is determined through the National Lifeline Accountability Database, which can be accessed at GetEmergencyBroadband.org. Other terms, conditions or restrictions may apply. For additional information, see fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit.
