MARYLAND – A federal program that provides discounts on internet access is coming to an end after Congress failed to renew funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the latest budget.
With final payments expected to go out in April, that leaves recipients, including up to 600,000 eligible households in Maryland, with an uncertain future.
In addition to up to $40 in federal subsidies for internet access, these households are eligible for an additional $15 as those funds are also ending.
“Whether it’s ACP or state subsidies, we need to take a more sustainable approach to providing affordable services to our constituents. I mean, we can see the need, we can see what it’s bringing to our communities benefits, but how can we do it in a more sustainable way,” said Ronnie Hammond, director of Maryland’s Office of Statewide Broadband.
Moore government spokesperson Carter Elliot said in a statement to 47ABC:
“Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress have chosen not to fund the Affordable Connectivity Initiative, an initiative the Biden-Harris Administration is proud to introduce that has provided internet to more than 200,000 Marylanders and more than 23 million Americans .Governor Moore will continue to work with partners across the state to overcome this obstacle that Republicans in Congress have imposed on everyone“.
But what those alternatives would look like, according to Hammond, would be more than $2.5 million a month for the 280,000 families currently using the program alone because of the state’s inability to match.
Ronnie Hammond told 47ABC he wouldn’t tell families relying on the subsidy to wait long for alternative funding sources or programs, but said it was unclear when alternatives would be rolled out.
However, he told us the state is considering working with ISPs and local community groups to identify needs and help those in need obtain replacement grants and involve ISPs as they help build the infrastructure to reach 267 statewide One million U.S. dollars.
“Well, the ISPs are going to get funding from us. They need to have an affordable program. They need to be able to support the families and communities there with training and digital skills training, whether it’s outreach or getting information about the federal or state The government must support the message of programs that reach people who need help,” Hammond said.
The Somerset County School District told us in a statement that a lack of internet access continues to be the reason they have been unable to conduct live online learning to date.