Internet Resources for Wisconsin Residents during Public Health Emergency

​​​​​​​​​​​Traducción de Español​​ (Out-of-Date)​

PSC Internet & Phone Helpline - 608-267-3595

The PSC has established their Internet & Phone helpline for Wisconsin consumers. Please dial 608-267-3595 to speak with dedicated PSC staff or leave a voicemail.

​Phone: 608-267-3595​

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program​

Updated 4/8/2021 

This federal benefit program is funded with $3.2 billion through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The program offers temporary discounts of up to $50 per month ($75 on Tribal Land) off of eligible household’s internet access bills. In some cases. low-income households can also get discounts on a laptop, desktop, or tablet computer. The broadband providers will receive the money directly for providing service to an eligible household. Providers may apply to participate starting March 8. The program is expected to start around April 26 for customers. The program ends six months after the public health emergency or when the federal money is depleted. Participation by internet service providers is voluntary. 

The list of participating providers is not available yet. Eligible households for the benefit include: 

• A household’s income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of that size 
​• At least one person in the household must receive benefits from one of the following federal assistance programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), FoodShare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
• At least one person in the household is in the free and reduced-price lunch program or the school breakfast program (including the Community Eligibility Provision)
• At least one person in the household has been laid off or furloughed since February 29, 2020 and the household has an income of less than $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers 
• At least one person in the household has received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year; or at least one person in the household can participate in their broadband provider’s existing low-income or COVID–19 program. 
• If a household is located on Tribal lands, it is eligible if at least one person in the household participates in Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance, Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. 

P​a​rticipating Providers in Wisconsin​

FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Website​

More Information for Providers​

Cons​umer Fact Sheet​

Emergency Broadband Informat​ional Overview (Presented Tuesday, March 16th)  Recording (Requires Registration)  Slides​​

Emergency Broadband Information for Schools, Libraries and Nonprofits​ (Presented Friday, March 19th)  Recordng (Requires Registration)  Slides

​

Wisconsin Public WiFi Locations Map

This mapping tool displays public WiFi locations that have been self-reported by entities and indivuduals to the PSC. The map displays hundreds of locations where citizens can go to use WiFi when it is not available at home while also maintaining social distancing during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

New locations are being added as they become available. Charter​ and Comcast/Xfinity also have mapping tools displaying their own WiFi locations in Wisconsin communities.

​Wisconsin Public WiFi Locations Map Website​

Internet Service Provider Offers

Several Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are offering free or low-cost internet access options in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. These services are offered in the areas each ISP serves, or as otherwise described.

This listing will be updated as more information becomes available. This list is not guaranteed to be complete, or an endorsement for the companies listed. The PSC is not liable for inaccuracies. If you are aware of any additional programs, please contact the PSC.​

The maps below highlight the approximate coverage of each ISP listed in red.

​​
​​​

​

​