Committee hears expert testimony on H.121, a bill to require low‑cost broadband plans for qualifying households

Paul Goodman, legal counsel at the Center for Accessible Technology, testified before the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on H.121, a proposal that would require broadband providers to offer low‑income plans at set prices and speeds.

Goodman said the draft law contains language similar to New York’s Broadband Act and would require qualifying low‑income households to be offered plans at 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download for $15 and 200 Mbps download for $20. He recommended the committee consider a higher baseline — "a household requires at least, 100 megabits per second down and 20 megabits per second up," — and pairing any price cap with subsidies for the poorest households.

The nut graf: Goodman argued lawmakers should balance affordability, service quality and program viability. He cited a California Public Advocates Office analysis showing broad consumer savings and limited revenue impact on the largest providers as evidence that net benefits to consumers are plausible but said safeguards are needed for smaller providers and for minimum service standards.

Most important details and supporting facts

Goodman summarized findings from a Public Advocates Office report in California that modeled the…