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HR 2163 112th Congress House

Broadband Affordability Act of 2011

Official title: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to establish a Lifeline Assistance Program for universal broadband adoption, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 27, 2011 Introduced by: Matsui, Doris O. Democratic · California See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Broadcasting, cable, digital technologiesCompetition and antitrustConsumer affairsLicensing and registrationsTelecommunication rates and fees
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This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 16, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Jun 14, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jun 14, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 16, 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Broadband Affordability Act of 2011 - Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a broadband lifeline program enabling qualifying low-income customers residing in urban and rural areas to purchase broadband service at reduced charges by reimbursing providers for each such customer served.

Requires that the program: (1) be similar in structure to the Lifeline program for basic telephone service, (2) prevent awarding duplicative subsidies for an individual eligible household, and (3) promote competition from broadband service providers by using neutral technology.

Requires a broadband service provider that is not an eligible telecommunications carrier to obtain FCC authorization to participate in the program.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2
D
Heinrich, Martin
New Mexico · Jul 27, 2011
 D
DeGette, Diana
Colorado · Jul 19, 2011
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2163: Broadband Affordability Act of 2011. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2163/
MLA
"H.R. 2163: Broadband Affordability Act of 2011." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2163/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2163, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2163/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2163: Broadband Affordability Act of 2011](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2163/)
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