HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — With a federal program set to end in April, internet costs are expected to rise for those who can’t afford it.
One of them is William Marshall, a Toano man who only recently gained access to the internet and is now helping his son with his schoolwork.
“He started this process before COVID-19 started because he couldn’t connect to do his schoolwork and homework from home,” he said. “He didn’t have anything. … All Cox wanted was $6,800 upfront to pay for it, and I had no way to pay that advance.”
Marshall credits 10 On Your Side with helping him get internet service into his home.
Now, he has to figure out how to pay for it if: Affordable Connection Program (ACP),end.
ACP provides eligible households with discounted internet and phone service. Households can receive discounts of approximately $30 to $75.
“If you’re on a bond, $19.99 is much better than $59.99,” Marshall says.
Now he may have to pay more for the internet.
The ACP is scheduled to end in April unless Congress passes additional funding.
“My bill could end up going up $30 a month to an amount I can’t afford,” Marshall said. “$30 a month. He lives on less than $1,000 a month, and that’s a lot of money for someone with internet and a reliable connection.”
he is one of the more 400,000 households in Virginias I am benefiting from ACP. According to the White House, North Carolina 898,492 households Receive a discount.
“In Norfolk alone, more than 30,000 households are taking advantage of this $30 per month internet discount,” Norfolk City Councilor and Southside Network Authority Chair Andrea McClellan said. It may be the deciding point whether or not to do so.” Have internet at home. ”
McClellan said broadband access allows children to stay up to date on their schoolwork and allows people to access health care and mental health services online.
“I’m not happy about that,” she said. “You know, we need water and electricity. I’m really worried that people will be cut off from essential lifelines.”
She works with the Southside Network station. The project focused on enhancing the 757’s digital connectivity.
Mr McClellan said the project would bring more internet providers to our region, meaning better service and prices.
“In Hampton Roads, it’s really about affordability when it comes to access,” she said.
President Biden has requested $6 billion from the ACP. The funds will continue his ACP and bring affordable internet to millions of households.
Congress has yet to act.
“They haven’t done that yet,” Marshall said. “We keep hoping, but they haven’t delivered it yet.”
The Federal Communications Commission has already halted new registrations and warned people about the cuts.
Currently, full benefits end at the end of April. Some people may receive partial benefits until May.
The FCC then said that unless Congress gives the program more funding, the ACP will no longer provide benefits to households.
