March 4, 2021 – The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has released a Public Notice announcing upcoming filing deadlines for broadband providers that elect to participate in the FCC’s new Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program.[1]

As set out in the FCC’s recent Report And Order, to participate, a broadband provider must be an existing eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) or be approved by the FCC. ETCs and their affiliates in the states or territories where the ETC is designated can elect to participate in the EBB Program by filing the appropriate information with Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Other providers, once approved, may elect to participate by submitting all required information to USAC.

In the Public Notice, the Bureau sets the priority application deadline by which non-ETC providers may seek approval to participate in the EBB Program prior to commencement of household enrollments – the start of the program. It also sets the deadline for priority approval to use an alternative verification process to determine if households are eligible for EBB Program benefits.

First, the Bureau has announced the date the priority application portal opens for non-ETC providers, as well as the deadline for priority applications:

• Non-ETC Provider Application – the Bureau’s application portal opens March 8, 2021.

• Non-ETC Provider Application Deadline – March 22, 2021.

• The online application portal will be available on the Bureau’s webpage under the “Provider FCC Approvals” section.

Second, the Bureau has announced the portal opening date and deadline for any provider seeking expedited approval to use an alternative verification process to make household eligibility determinations in the EBB Program:

• Expedited Alternative Eligibility Verification Process Portal Opens on March 8, 2021.

• Expedited Alternative Eligibility Verification Process Deadline – March 22, 2021.

Third, the Bureau has announced when ETCs or FCC-approved broadband providers may begin to elect to participate in the EBB Program:

• USAC’s Provider Election Notice Inbox Opens – elections may be filed with USAC beginning March 11, 2021, via email to EBBElection@usac.org.

The Bureau has created a new EBB Program webpage with additional information about the approval processes and how to submit an application: https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-broadband-benefit-program. Providers should use the same online application portal for non-ETC provider applications and requests for approval of an alternative eligibility verification process. The online application portal will be available on the Bureau’s webpage under the “Provider FCC Approvals” section beginning March 8, 2021.

Also, USAC has created a new EBB Program website with information about the EBB Program, USAC’s role, and the provider election process: https://www.usac.org/about/emergency-broadband-benefit-program/. Broadband providers seeking to participate are encourage to review the instructional information found on the USAC site for details about required information and how to submit the election. Beginning March 11, broadband providers can submit their election forms and required attachments via email to EBBElection@usac.org. Elections forms and submission directions will be available soon at https://www.usac.org/about/emergency-broadband-benefit-program/system-resources/get-started.

Finally, at a later date, the Bureau will release a Public Notice announcing other administrative deadlines or milestones, such as when the EBB Program will begin and when providers may begin enrolling households in the program. The EBB Program and enrollment process is expected to begin in less than 60 days after the adoption of the EBB Program Order, which was February 25, 2021.

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[1] Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Initial Milestones For The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, WC Docket No. 20-445, Public Notice, DA 21-265 (Mar. 4, 2021), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-265A1.pdf.