LAS CRUZ — A federal program that helped more than 68,000 low-income households in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District pay for internet has begun winding down.
Congress has not yet provided new funding for the pandemic relief measure, known as the Affordable Connectivity Initiative.
In New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, which covers much of southern New Mexico, 42% of eligible households, or about 68,400 households, are receiving subsidies, according to a dashboard compiled by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Nationwide, about 27 million households are enrolled in the program, which provides qualifying households with Internet subscriptions of up to $30 per month ($75 per month on tribal lands), according to the FCC.
“One of the biggest concerns for the Office of Broadband right now is the end of ACP,” said Drew Lovelace, acting director of the state Office of Broadband Access and Expansion. “It’s one of the most important funds to help digital equity grow. The money looks like it’s going to run out in April. Congress hasn’t reinvested it yet.”
In early February, the FCC began ending the program by halting new registrations. Those who signed up before February 8 will continue to receive subsidies until the funds run out – which is expected to be in April. But anyone who didn’t register by the deadline can’t register again, even if they were previously eligible.
According to the Congressional District Health Dashboard, just over 60% of households in Congressional District 2 have access to high-speed internet connections, which means there are many households without access to high-speed internet connections. This creates barriers for residents trying to access schools, jobs, businesses and health care opportunities.
ACP participants nationwide expressed deep concerns about potentially losing access to the program, according to an October 2023 survey by Benenson Strategy Group and cable and communications company Comcast . About 95% said they would struggle to balance household costs. Other findings include:
- 65% of ACP participants are worried about losing their job or their family’s primary source of income
- 75% of ACP participants worry about not being able to access important medical services, including online appointments or prescription refills
- 81% of ACP parents are worried that their children will fall behind in school
- 79% of ACP participants worry about losing social connections made through the Internet
Bridging the digital divide
New Mexico’s digital divide has several major dimensions. One is the lack of high-speed Internet infrastructure in many places, especially rural and low-income areas. But another problem is that even with better infrastructure, many families and individuals cannot afford internet amid competing demands such as rent, utilities and groceries. This is where affordable connectivity plans come a long way.
On tribal lands, families can receive up to $75 per month for an internet subscription. Lovelace said there are 24 additional areas across the state that are considered “high-cost” service areas, where families and individuals are also eligible for up to $75 per month in services. The fee can be used for cellphone-based Internet as well as other types of connections as long as the provider or company signs up to participate through the FCC.
The ACP ends at a time when families in southern New Mexico are struggling with high housing, groceries and other living expenses.
During the pandemic, Las Cruces Public Schools students and their families are benefiting from an initiative that pairs affordable connectivity plans with Comcast Xfinity, Las Cruces’ primary cable and internet provider. of special Internet access protocols. The company offers Internet service to households for about $10 a month, but when ACP is taken into account, the Internet is essentially free for many households.
Notice to ACP Registrants
If you are a participant in the Affordable Connectivity Plan, what does the closure mean to you?
Families who join ACP will continue to receive monthly Internet discounts
According to the FCC, service will continue until funding ends (likely in April) as long as they remain enrolled in and eligible to participate in the program.
During the ACP wind-down period, ACP households will receive notifications from their internet companies regarding the impact of the end of benefits on household bills and services.this
The notification will tell internet users:
- ACP is coming to an end;
- the impact on their bills,
- The date of the last bill they will receive with ACP benefits and that they can change their service or opt out of continuing service after ACP ends
- ACP households can also change their internet plans without penalty.
Will New Mexico step in?
State broadband officials have previously discussed with the SNMJC the possibility of seeking funding from New Mexico lawmakers to continue the program. However, the state broadband office did not pursue the proposal during the legislative session, which ended on February 15.
Lovelace, however, said New Mexico will likely use much of the upcoming digital equity federal grant money to continue the program. The state has not yet received digital equity funding but is finalizing a plan that will be a prerequisite to receiving the funds.
Digital equity funding is considerable, but it will eventually run out. Lovelace said a rough estimate of the total cost to fund New Mexico’s current ACP enrollment levels would be about $5.4 million per month or about $64 million per year, assuming an average monthly subsidy of about $30.
“The state is going to try and see what we can do, but we don’t have the funding to continue indefinitely,” Lovelace said.
It’s unclear when the state version of the program will launch, if it happens.
Allison Reilly, a spokesperson for the Office of Broadband Expansion and Access, noted that Congress still has the opportunity to choose to act and fund the Affordable Connectivity Initiative.
NM delegation seeks ACP renewal
Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation expressed support for extending the ACP. But some observers say the proposal faces an uphill battle.
Congressman Gabe Vasquez, who represents New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, said he supports a federal measure called the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024. He described it in a newsletter as “critical to securing funding to ensure our New Mexico families can continue to have access” to affordable high-speed internet. “
Of New Mexico’s three congressional districts, the Second District has the highest percentage of eligible households participating in the ACP. According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, the numbers are as follows:
- Congressional District 1: 138,055 households eligible; 47,261 people signed up (34% participation rate)
- 2nd Congressional District: 162,359 households eligible; 68,400 people signed up (42% participation rate)
- Congressional District 3: 158,900 households eligible; 57,906 people signed up (36% participation rate)
U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Communications, Media and Broadband Subcommittee Chairman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) signed a letter with other senators last fall urging congressional leaders to extend ACP funding.
Diana Alba Soular is a project manager and editor at the Southern New Mexico News Cooperative, covering COVID-19 and pandemic recovery from a solutions reporting perspective. For more information, visit SouthNMnews.org or SurNMnoticias.org.