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 from $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.
In Idaho, 51,649 households are enrolled in the Affordable Connections program. This equates to approximately 1 in 14 households in the state. According to the White House, Idaho received more than $22.4 million for the program. Utah received more than $33 million for the program to fund discounts for about 72,000 households, according to a White House fact sheet.
Google Fiber’s government affairs and public policy manager Ariane Shafer said internet providers have already sent out notices to customers warning them of the potential end of the program, as requested by the Federal Communications Commission.
“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 approve funding, the Communications Commission will suspend new enrollments in the program on Feb. 7.
The program is impacting economic growth as more people work and learn remotely or attend medical provider appointments online, increasing the need for internet connectivity, Schaefer said. 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 work 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.
Idaho Capital Sun Editor-in-Chief Christina Rose contributed to this report.
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