A coronavirus-era program has made it possible for 22.5 million low-income households nationwide to receive discounts on internet service. But the funding earmarked for it is drying up, and the program could end this spring if Congress doesn’t act.
The Affordable Connectivity Program, a high-speed internet initiative, offers discounts of $30 to $75 per month on your internet bill. You’ll also receive a one-time discount on the purchase of laptops, desktops, and tablet computers.
Oregon has received about $100 million from the program and is providing discounts to about 225,800 households, or 1 in 8 households, according to a White House fact sheet.
Internet providers have already sent notices to customers warning them of the potential termination of the program at the request of the Federal Communications Administration. Ariane Shafer, Google Fiber’s government affairs and public policy manager, told the committee:
“We really hope Congress finds a permanent home for the affordable connectivity program,” Schaefer said. “It’s helped so many people, so many families across the country.”
The White House has put the program on its list of critical needs and asked Congress for $6 billion to sustain it through December 2024.
If Congress does not authorize funding, the Communications Commission plans to suspend new enrollments in the program on Feb. 7. This program will impact economic growth as the need for internet connectivity increases as more people work remotely, learn remotely, and even attend medical provider appointments online. Schaefer said.
“This allows people to engage with society and their communities through school, work and all of these benefits,” she said. online. “
Many internet providers offer access to discounts that function similarly to voucher programs. Veterans and those whose income is at or below his 200% of federal poverty guidelines or who participate in certain assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Medicaid are eligible for the Affordable Connections Program .
The effort was launched as part of the Trump administration’s Emergency Broadband Benefits initiative during the 2020 pandemic and restructured into its current form as part of the Biden administration’s bipartisan infrastructure law.
Schaefer called on Congress to fund the program and make it permanent, rather than requiring annual spending.
“We believe broadband connectivity levels the playing field and truly advances education for all,” she said.
This article is from Utah News Dispatch and has been updated to reflect the situation in Oregon. Utah News Dispatch and the Oregon Capital Chronicle are part of State Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by a coalition of grants and donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Utah News-Dispatch maintains editorial independence. If you have any questions, please contact editor Mackenzie Romero. [email protected]. Follow Utah News Dispatch on Facebook twitter.
