More than 300,000 Washington residents have been notified that their affordable internet programs could end after April.
The Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) currently grants a $30 internet discount to those who are considered low-income. We also offer discounts on laptops and computers.
ACP currently helps millions of Americans. But Congress has not yet approved new funding, so the ACP could end after next month.
“Without action from Congress, this program could be eliminated this spring, leaving millions of Americans without high-speed internet service,” the White House posted.
As Broadband Breakfast, an online publication specializing in broadband technology and Internet policy, noted in its coverage of the issue last week, 33 Democratic and independent senators told Senate and House leaders to “pass it. He co-signed a letter calling for the use of a “should” budget bill. Includes ACP extensions. Prominent senators who signed the letter include Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). It can be done.
It’s also worth noting that Republican J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) is already a co-sponsor of a bipartisan, bicameral bill supporting the extension of the ACP with $7 billion in funding. Breakfast explained. The bill was introduced in January. However, that has not yet led to continued funding for the ACP.
Eight Internet Providers Offer Options to Low-Income Washington Residents
In King County, 77,000 people use ACP, according to David Keyes, Digital Equity Advisor for the City of Seattle.
The end may be near and many are wondering how they will cover the additional costs.
On Thursday, King County’s Digital Equity Learning Network (DELN) held a meeting with representatives from eight internet companies.
MyNorthwest listened to a rundown of options for those on ACP or those who qualify for low income and need a less expensive option.
Comcast representative Carla Carell started the meeting.
Carell explained that Xfinity, which is part of Comcast, offers Internet Essentials for low-income people. Qualified users can enjoy download speeds of up to 50 Mbps for $9.95 per month and up to 100 Mbps for $29.95 per month.
To start the application, please visit the Internet Essential website.
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Next, Verizon fielded representative Bliss Collins.
Collins said ACP is currently offered with a 5GB internet plan. But now that the ACP benefit has ended, Collins recommended people to Verizon’s Forward Program.
Those who qualify can get home internet for $20 a month. The lowest plan offered by Verizon is $50 per month, but with benefits customers will pay $30 per month. To apply, visit his website on Verizon.
Collins also said Verizon is working to make per-minute plans more affordable.
T-Mobile then offered Metro by T-Mobile or Assurance Wireless.
T-Mobile representative Bob Stanchina said ACP benefits for customers will not be suspended until the end of May. He said if further funding is not approved, customers will receive a $15 discount from June through August.
He said Metro’s lowest-cost service is $30 a month, but could go as low as $15 a month, depending on what customers can afford.
He also said special offers on home interest would be coming soon in the metro.
Assurance Wireless offers the Lifeline Assistance Program. Stanchina said ACP-only customers must apply for the program. However, anything bundled with Lifeline and ACP automatically reverts to the Lifeline program.
Next came Astown Internet. Congresswoman Brianna Woods introduced people to Internet First, the low-income internet in Astowns.
Those who qualify can get 50 Mbps for $9.95 per month and can apply through the Internet First website.
Woods also said Aston used ACP to send letters and messages to customers.
PCs for People, a nonprofit organization that provides hotspots and computers, was also at the meeting.
Rep. Andrea Lindsay said people within 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible for services.
She added that King County residents can purchase a one-time hotspot for $60 and then pay $15 per month.
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If you use ACP, you can choose to purchase another month for $15. Otherwise, it is canceled by default. For more information on how PC for People customers are affected, please visit the PC for People website.
Zilply Fiber (formerly Frontier) representative Elizanth Brayman also introduced people to the Lifeline program.
Seattle nonprofit InterConnection also attended the conference.
Representative Julie Morris said those who qualify as ACPs will also be eligible for Interconnection services.
InterConnection offers hotspots for a one-time purchase of $66, then $14.95 per month. We also offer technology discounts.
Morris said InterConnection currently has no hotspots available, but more will be available next week. For more information, please visit his website at InterConnection.
Representative: “There are many people who are eligible but are not participating.”
The last one left was Lumen (formerly Century Link).
“There are a lot of people who are eligible but aren’t participating,” Lumen president Rob Thomas said.
Thomas said Lumen is working on sending a second notification to users who use ACP. He also mentioned the Lifeline program as an option.
According to Thomas, Lumen’s minimum plan is $30 per month. This means that someone using ACP and he was paying $0 will now pay $30 unless he cancels.
Thomas also said he is working with lawmakers to lower internet costs.
DELN representatives said the meeting will be posted on its website and will be available for viewing next week.
Contributor: Steve Coogan
Julia Dallas is the content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read her story here. Follow Julia on her X, formerly known as her Twitter. here Email her here.
