News
The clock is still set to expire on the Affordable Connectivity Program despite a tsunami of public outcry.
This story was originally written by our sister publication, Broadband Communities
Funds for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are still set to expire at the end of May.
The federal program, which had helped millions afford broadband, has been on its last legs since April.
The FCC stopped accepting new ACP enrollments in February. This month, ACP customers have been receiving a partial subsidy of $14 per ACP customer, or $35 per qualifying Tribal customer.
Previously, the program provided eligible households $30 per month towards internet service. A benefit of $75 per month was also available to those who qualified on Tribal lands.
Some households could also receive a one-time discount on purchasing a laptop, desktop, or tablet.
Nearly 23 million households nationwide relied on the ACP program to help pay for internet. Households were considered eligible if their income was at or below 200 percent of poverty guidelines set by the government.
Despite glimmers of hope to renew funding for the program, the Republican led U.S. House of Representatives has still failed to approve the measure.
Pushes to keep the program alive included calls to action and advocacy efforts from across the nation.
One website, supported by the Affordable Broadband Campaign, even ran a real-time clock, counting down to the end of the ACP.
“Failure by Congress to fund this program will force millions of households already on tight budgets to choose between internet access and other essential services,” the website stated. “They cannot afford to make that choice, and neither can we without jeopardizing the historic $42B infrastructure investment that will finally get all Americans access to broadband.”
Some states and providers have taken it upon themselves to continue low-cost options for low-income customers.
A proposed bill in Pennsylvania, H.B. 2195, would give eligible households a $30 monthly subsidy for internet if approved by lawmakers.
Meanwhile, in the private sector, Cox Communications will continue programs like the Connect2Compete Internet Plan, the ConnectAssist Internet Plan, and affordable mobile plans starting at $15 per gigabit per line.
States with the highest percentage of rural households enrolled include Mississippi, Maine, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Arkansas.
To get content like this delivered to your inbox, subscribe to the Broadband Communities newsletter.
Also in the news:
Digi set to buy OTE’s Telekom Romania
Billionaire Xavier Neil ponders Millicom acquisition
EU-funded Global Gateways projects on show at Submarine Networks EMEA 2024