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Council approves plan to draft a $350 rebate program for satellite internet as short‑term stopgap while broadband grant timeline remains uncertain
Summary
Wildwood staff will prepare legislation for a rebate program to help up to 395 eligible households buy low‑earth‑orbit satellite equipment (approx. $350 per household). Council instructed staff to require proof of eligibility, receipts, proof of activation and an indemnity waiver.
Wildwood’s council on April 14 instructed staff to draft legislation for a satellite internet equipment rebate program intended as an interim remedy for residents on the city’s Phase 2 broadband list who lack adequate wired service.
City staff described the program as a stopgap while the state’s BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) process remains uncertain. Staff said low‑earth‑orbit satellite solutions (Starlink, OneWeb and similar) can deliver speeds the department has observed at roughly 250–275 Mbps under favorable line‑of‑sight conditions, and that the most common activation device costs about $350.
Under the proposal staff described, eligible households on the city’s Phase 2 list would present documentation at City Hall proving primary residency, eligibility (city records and FCC/Office of Broadband data) and a government ID. After purchasing the satellite equipment from an approved retailer, residents would present receipts and proof of activation (one month of service invoice) to receive up to a $350 rebate. Staff will include a liability waiver prepared by the city attorney indemnifying the city for service‑quality issues related to the technology’s nature and line‑of‑sight sensitivity.
City staff estimated a maximum program cost of about $137,855 if all 395 eligible households participated. Council member Mabry moved to have staff prepare legislation; the motion was seconded and passed on voice vote. Staff said the ordinance would be drafted for council consideration at the May meeting.
Council members requested guardrails and eligibility checks to avoid duplicate claims and asked staff to provide applicants’ activation invoices to reduce fraud and to report monthly on program participation.
