U.S. agency moves to finalize rules for new $3.2 billion low-income internet subsidy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Federal Communications Commission said Monday it is moving to finalize rules for a new temporary $3.2 billion program funded by Congress to provide lower-income Americans with discounts on monthly internet service and on a laptop or tablet computer.

Internet access has become even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic as millions of children attend school online. The discounts are worth up to $50 a month for internet service, and up to $75 on Tribal Lands.

(Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)