Technology and Telecommunications
Take action now to preserve your affordable connectivity plan
Nicole Morgenstern
exist On Monday, March 4, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is at risk of shutting down. If Congress does not act immediately and provide funding, the FCC has until April 30, 2024 to fully fund the program.
Established as part of the Infrastructure and Jobs Bill 2021, The Affordable Connectivity Program ensures affordable and accessible internet service for low-income households. Through the ACP, eligible households can receive up to $30 per month in discounted Internet service ($75 per month for eligible households on tribal lands). Families can also receive a one-time $100 discount on devices such as laptops, desktops or tablets from participating providers.
With more than 23 million households enrolled in rural, suburban and urban America, the Affordable Connectivity program is the most successful broadband program in U.S. history. more than One in every six households Registered ACP in the United States.
Affordable connectivity plans have helped millions of people get affordable internet. For the nation’s 800,000 veterans, 1 million college students, 3.1 million working families with K-12 students, and 5 million seniors, they are at risk of being unable to access the Internet. Without ACP, millions of families will be forced to make difficult financial decisions to pay for higher-cost internet, The reason was concerns about continuing to afford groceries, utilities, housing and health care.
Advancing Justice | The AAJC has been fighting for affordable broadband since it became apparent that broadband access is a critical tool for accessing government services, applying for jobs, completing homework or online school, and staying connected with loved ones. Providing affordable, high-speed broadband to low-income communities is fundamental to bridging the digital divide and ensuring communities succeed and thrive in all areas of life.
Asian American, Pacific Islander and Middle Eastern communities account for 8% of all ACP enrollees.Tangential digital divide indicators such as education, income, and English proficiency indicate There are likely millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who lack access to affordable, reliable and available broadband connectivity. These communities faced difficulties connecting to the internet long before the COVID-19 pandemic, and as more resources and opportunities move online, the need for reliable, high-speed internet continues to grow.
Affordable broadband internet is a critical step in ensuring all communities have access to the high-speed internet they need for schools, jobs, healthcare and more. With ACP expected to close, more than Three-quarters of ACP households Expect to experience connection interruptions.
Unless Congress takes immediate action, the most successful broadband connectivity program in U.S. history will end later this spring.