{"id":116690,"date":"2023-07-05T15:07:46","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T20:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.olemiss.edu\/?p=116690"},"modified":"2023-07-25T12:04:57","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T17:04:57","slug":"center-for-population-studies-gets-fcc-grant-to-boost-broadband-access","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web20.olemiss.edu\/news\/wordpress\/center-for-population-studies-gets-fcc-grant-to-boost-broadband-access\/","title":{"rendered":"Center for Population Studies Gets FCC Grant to Boost Broadband Access"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Anne Cafer<\/p><\/div>\n

OXFORD, Miss. \u2013 The Federal Communications Commission has awarded the University of Mississippi<\/a> Center for Population Studies<\/a>  $350,000 through the new Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The center \u2013 which the FCC has recognized as a \u201ctrusted messenger\u201d \u2013 will use the money to identify Mississippians who do not have access to broadband internet and offer help to qualified households who elect to secure discounted internet service and to receive a device. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cW<\/span>e were one of five entities selected (in Mississippi), including the state\u2019s broadband office,” said Anne Cafer, the center’s director. “<\/span>This is part of an ongoing initiative by CPS to work with communities on issues around broadband.<\/span> O<\/span>ur Delta legal fellow, Jillian Morrison, is leading the charge.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The goal of the FCC\u2019s $14.2 billion Affordable Connectivity Outreach Program is to establish broadband internet service in households who could not previously afford it. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Eligible Mississippians for this outreach include low-income households, aging populations, individuals with disabilities, individuals with a language barrier, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural residents. The objective is to ensure that qualifying households receive the broadband access they need for work, school, health care and other uses. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are very excited about this grant, as this program is underutilized within the state of Mississippi, despite so many people \u2013 including many students on campus and in the surrounding areas \u2013 actually qualifying for it,\u201d Morrison said. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The FCC funding allows the center to provide information to those eligible for discounted broadband internet service and to guide the sign-up process. This combination of informing and assisting qualified households aims to bridge the digital divide, to reach those who qualify within Mississippi but have not received internet service. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

More than 14 million low-income households nationwide have enrolled in the ACP. The program benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for households in qualifying sectors, with up to $75 per month for households on qualifying tribal lands<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute between $10 and $50 toward the purchase price. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Qualifying households have at least one member who is a participant of an eligible federal program; for instance, Federal Lifeline or Lifeline-qualifying programs and recipients of Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is the only federally recognized Native American tribe living within the state. The tribe includes 11,000 members within 35,000 acres in 10 Mississippi counties. Those tribal households participating in one or more existing federal programs qualify for the new broadband assistance. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Tribal leaders have been working with one internet provider to expand broadband access both with physical implementation and financial incentives through the ACP program since last year, Morrison said. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey have done a terrific job with ACP outreach and were one of the early recipients of an $8.43 million grant from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program,” she said. “The work that they have done around broadband expansion and implementation is amazing.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The Ole Miss center’s mission is to educate, conduct research and engage in public outreach concerning population issues. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Those receiving one or more of the following qualifying federal programs may be eligible for the ACP Outreach program. Check the list and contact CPS via online form<\/a> or email<\/a> for assistance.<\/p>\n