Broadband Adoption Act of 2015

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to reform and modernize the Universal Service Fund Lifeline Assistance Program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Broadband Adoption Act of 2015 2. Broadband Lifeline Assistance Program Section 254(j) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 254(j) (j) Lifeline Assistance (1) In general Nothing in this section, other than paragraph (2) of this subsection, shall affect the collection, distribution, or administration of the Lifeline program of the Commission set forth under sections 54.400 through 54.417 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto. (2) Broadband Lifeline Assistance Program (A) Definitions In this paragraph— (i) the term broadband Internet access service (ii) the terms duplicative support qualifying low-income consumer (iii) the term Lifeline program (iv) the term participating broad­band Internet access service provider (B) Purpose The purpose of this paragraph is to promote the adoption of broadband Internet access service by all people of the United States while recognizing that the price of broadband Internet access service is one of the barriers to adoption for low-income households. (C) Establishment (i) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of the Broadband Adoption Act of 2015 (ii) Model The final rule adopted under clause (i) shall provide that a qualifying low-income consumer may elect to apply Lifeline support under the Lifeline program to basic telephone service, voice telephony service, or broadband Internet access service, regardless of whether the service is purchased as a stand-alone service or as part of a bundle of services. (iii) Digital literacy program The Commission shall consider providing a preference to a participating broadband Internet access service provider that includes components involving digital literacy programs as part of the offerings of the participating broadband Internet access service provider. (D) State funds The Commission shall consult with the Federal-State Joint Board instituted under subsection (a)(1) regarding ways to encourage States to develop programs that would work in conjunction with the Lifeline program. (E) Amount of support (i) In general In calculating the amount of Lifeline support to be provided to each qualifying low-income consumer under the final rule adopted under subparagraph (C)(i), the Commission shall routinely study— (I) the prevailing market price for broadband Internet access service; (II) the prevailing speed of broadband Internet access service adopted by households; and (III) the prevailing broadband usage patterns of residential consumers. (ii) Information In carrying out clause (i), the Commission shall rely on information that— (I) the Commission routinely collects; or (II) is publicly available. (F) Technology neutral (i) In general To promote competition from service providers to qualify under the Lifeline program, the Commission shall ensure that the final rule adopted under subparagraph (C)(i) is neutral as to the types of technology used to provide voice telephony or broadband Internet access service under the Lifeline program. (ii) Authorization A participating broadband Internet access service provider— (I) shall not be required to be an eligible telecommunications carrier (as designated under section 214(e)) to receive support under the Lifeline program; and (II) shall obtain authorization from the Commission in order to participate in the Lifeline program. (G) Accountability (i) Nonduplication The final rule adopted under subparagraph (C)(i) shall incorporate regulations of the Commission in effect on the date of enactment of this Act that prevent the receipt of duplicative support under the Lifeline program. (ii) Preventing waste, fraud, or abuse In promulgating regulations to carry out this paragraph, the Commission shall consider any appropriate measures to prevent any waste, fraud, or abuse in the administration of the Lifeline program. (iii) Eligibility The Commission, in consultation with other relevant Federal agencies, shall establish a national database to determine qualifying low-income consumer eligibility for Lifeline program subsidies. (H) Evaluation reports Not later than 1 year after the Commission adopts the final rule under subparagraph (C)(i), and every year thereafter, the Commission shall conduct an evaluation and issue a report on the performance of the Lifeline program during the 12-month period preceding the date on which each report is issued. (I) GAO study Not later than 1 year after the Commission adopts the final rule under subparagraph (C)(i), the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and issue a report on the performance of the Lifeline support provided under the Lifeline program for broadband Internet access service. (3) Clarification of authority Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Commission under any other provision of law, including the authority to promulgate regulations to promote the adoption of broadband service by low-income households in the United States. .

Summary: Broadband Adoption Act of 2015 Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt a final rule establishing support under the Universal Service Fund Lifeline Assistance Program for qualifying low-income consumers in urban and rural areas to purchase broadband Internet access service at reduced charges by reimbursing participating providers for each such consumer served. Requires the program to allow qualifying consumers to elect to apply support from the Lifeline program to basic telephone service, voice telephony service, or broadband Internet access service, regardless of whether the service is purchased as a stand-alone service or in a bundle. Directs the FCC to consult with the federal-state joint board on universal service regarding ways to encourage states to develop programs in conjunction with the Lifeline program. Requires the program to be technology neutral to promote competition from service providers. Requires participating broadband Internet access service providers to obtain FCC authorization to participate in the Lifeline program, but a provider is not required to be an eligible telecommunications carrier to receive support under the program. Directs the FCC to: (1) adopt regulations to prevent receipt of duplicative support under the Lifeline program, and (2) establish a national database to determine consumer eligibility.