CHICAGO, August 20, 2024 – The Democratic mayors of major U.S. cities Atlanta, Kansas City and Phoenix discussed the need to ensure their constituents have affordable internet access to mitigate the impact of the expiration of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program.
During a panel hosted by the Association of Democratic Mayors at the Democratic National Convention, mayors outlined strategies to fill the gaps created by the end of the program, a federal initiative that provided subsidized internet service to low-income and tribal households and was a critical resource for more than 23 million American households.
As an immediate response, the city of Atlanta used funding from the American Rescue Plan and partnered with nonprofits to leverage their networks to provide temporary relief to residents struggling to pay their internet bills.
Mayor of Atlanta Andre Dickens He emphasized that Atlanta’s challenge isn’t internet connectivity, but affordability, which is why the city’s long-term approach includes initiatives like $10-a-month internet plans for seniors and $18 service for public housing residents, he said.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Kansas City Quinton Lucas Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego He stressed the importance of cities pursuing partnerships with the private sector to expand internet access and adoption.
The two cities are teaming up with T-Mobile, which has committed $10.8 billion to provide free internet to 10 million students across the country. Project 10 MilonThe company has already successfully connected six million students over the past four years.
Through the partnership, T-Mobile will provide Wi-Fi hotspots to students who qualify for free and reduced-price school lunch programs at no cost to families, and in school districts struggling to pay their internet bills, “T-Mobile will reduce their internet bill by 85%,” the company said. David BesantVice President of Government Affairs at T-Mobile.
Mayor Lucas emphasized that the city’s partnership with T-Mobile goes beyond providing connectivity, to also provide training, internships and curriculum programs to prepare local students for careers in the technology industry.
Mayor Dickens echoed the need for broader community engagement, emphasizing the importance of listening to residents’ challenges and working with the business community to find solutions. “Part of the solution is listening to people talk about their challenges,” Mayor Dickens said. “Then take that voice to the business community and ask, ‘How can we help? How can we make internet access $10 to $20?'”
He further emphasized the importance of digital access in today’s world, saying, “At this point, being able to register to vote is a digital capability in itself.”
