technology and communication
Act now to keep our connectivity program affordable
nicole morgenstern
upon On Monday, March 4, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is at risk of termination. Without immediate action and funding from Congress, the FCC can only fully fund the program through April 30, 2024.
Enacted in 2021 as part of the Infrastructure and Employment Act, The Affordable Connectivity Program ensures the affordability and accessibility of Internet services for low-income households. Through the ACP, eligible households can receive discounts of up to $30 per month ($75 per month for eligible households living on tribal lands) on Internet service. Additionally, households can receive a one-time $100 discount when purchasing laptops, desktop computers, tablets and other devices 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. is more than 1 in 6 households Registered with ACP in the US.
The Affordable Connectivity Program has helped millions of individuals access affordable internet. 800,000 veterans, 1 million college students, 3.1 million working families with K-12 students, and 5 million seniors across the United States are at risk of losing access to the internet. For them, the risk is high. Without ACP, millions of households would be forced to make difficult financial decisions to pay high internet bills. They cited concerns about continuing to pay for groceries, utilities, housing and medical bills.
Advancing Justice | AAJC finds that broadband access is proving to be an essential utility for accessing government services, applying for jobs, completing homework and online school, and staying connected with loved ones. We’ve been fighting for affordable broadband ever since. Ensuring low-income communities have access to affordable, high-speed broadband is fundamental to closing the digital divide and enabling communities to succeed and thrive in all areas of life.
Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern communities represent 8% of all ACP enrollees. Tangential digital divide indicators such as educational attainment, income, and English proficiency suggest that: There are likely millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who lack access to affordable, reliable, and usable broadband connectivity. These communities faced challenges 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 school, work, health care, and more. With the anticipated closure of ACP; Three-quarters of ACP households Expect connection failures.
The most successful broadband connectivity program in U.S. history is scheduled to end later this spring unless Congress takes immediate and immediate action.
