Nearly 25% of households that receive federal subsidies for broadband internet service will abandon that connection if Congress does not restore funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a new report shows.
The report, released Tuesday, surveyed more than 1,700 users of the ACP program enacted in 2021. In the report, 58% of respondents said it was “at least somewhat difficult” to pay for a broadband plan, even with ACP benefits, ranging from about $30 to $75 per month. Respondents were evenly distributed by location, with 34% living in rural areas, 39% in urban areas and 27% in suburban areas.
The ACP funds internet access for about 23 million households nationwide, or about one in six households, and is set to expire in April. The plan has widespread support across the political spectrum and is seen as a key step forward in the field of digital equity.
However, this year’s political turmoil and frequent rumblings over government funding debates – each time nearly leading to a federal government shutdown – make its future uncertain.
“We certainly believe that members of Congress should understand the impact ACP is having and consider the experiences of affected low-income families when deciding whether to extend the program,” said Propel, a nonprofit that helps low-income residents better manage their personal finances. technology manufacturer and author of the report.
Uncertainty over the program’s future has prompted supporters to urge leaders to restore funding administered by the Federal Communications Commission. On February 13, James Gore, vice president of the National Association of Counties, emphasized the important role of broadband at a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol.
“As we all know, internet connectivity is absolutely fundamental to the future of our society. Affordable access helps ensure that we leave no family or individual behind in our increasingly connected world.” Supervisor Gossip of Sonoma County, California I said.
Survey respondents definitely use the internet to provide basic services and tasks, with 53% saying they use the internet to access government services, 48% relying on online banking connections and 40% requiring broadband for educational purposes, the report said. The study found that ACP participation rates increased by nearly 30% in 2023 compared with the previous year.
“We can’t say for sure what’s driving this surge,” King said. “We do know that awareness of the program takes time to build, and we see a very clear relationship between increased awareness and increased enrollment.”
Discussions about the ACP are underway as states release plans to expand broadband infrastructure through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Plan, part of the infrastructure legislation signed into law two years ago that provided for expanding broadband infrastructure. Approximately US$42.45 billion.
King said ACP clearly revealed the huge need for affordable internet service across the country, whether people live in urban or rural areas: “People join ACP to meet their financial, educational, medical and social needs. Clearly, people join ACP. There is a need to continue investing so people can enjoy fast and affordable internet services.”
