FCC

FCC Split on Lifeline Eligibility Reforms, Gomez Says

Commissioner calls subsidy ‘measly’ amid current affordability crisis

Mira Bhakta

Mira Bhakta

— 2 min read
FCC Split on Lifeline Eligibility Reforms, Gomez Says
Photo of (from left) Mike Romano, CEO of NTCA, and FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez speak at NTCA's legislative and policy conference on Apr. 27, 2026.

WASHINGTON, April 27, 2026 — Anna Gomez said the Federal Communications Commission remains divided over the future of its Lifeline subsidy program, citing concerns about affordability and program design.

Speaking at a policy conference hosted by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, Gomez said the program’s $9.25 monthly benefit has not kept pace with current costs.

“We currently have the Lifeline program at the FCC right now,” she said. “It continues to be a really measly $9.25 a month… given today’s issues with affordability that families that cannot afford to meet their basic needs, much less pay for their phone or their broadband service.”

CTA Image

Learn more about the Broadband Community...

Start Your Broadband Journey Here
Post tagged in
FCC Anna Gomez Brendan Carr Lifeline Broadband Affordability NTCA

Member discussion

Read more

Popular Tags

FCC Weighs Efforts to Address Robocalls as Industry Pushes Back FCC There’s an Opportunity to Connect America's 44 Million Apartment Residents Broadband's Impact USF Reform Draft Expected By End Of May, Lawmaker Says BEAD NTIA To Set Guidance For $21B In BEAD Funds Within ‘a Few Months’ NTIA California Middle-Mile Project Advances as Network Operator Selected Infrastructure T-Mobile Adds More Than 500,000 Broadband Subs AT&T
#if @member /if