Millions at Risk of Losing Internet as Affordable Connectivity Program Ends

The End of an Era: Affordable Connectivity Program Comes to a⁤ Close

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a groundbreaking initiative by the US government ⁤to make internet access more affordable for low-income households, has officially ended today. The program’s conclusion is expected ‌to impact⁣ millions of Americans who relied ⁣on its benefits to stay connected in an increasingly digital world.

The Origins of the ACP

In ⁣2021, the US Congress passed the $1.2 trillion ​ Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which aimed to ‌modernize various aspects of the nation’s infrastructure, such as transportation systems, energy ​grids, and public utilities. As part⁢ of this​ comprehensive package, the ACP was established⁢ with a budget of $14.2 billion to provide credits that would⁤ help low-income families afford high-speed internet access.

The Importance of Internet Access

In today’s digital age, internet ​access has become a crucial necessity. Without it, individuals risk falling behind in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and social connections. The ACP recognized this digital divide and⁣ sought‌ to bridge the gap by making internet access more affordable for⁤ those who needed it most.

The Impact of the ACP’s End

As the ACP comes to a close, many Americans who benefited from the program will face a significant increase in their internet bills. This sudden spike‍ in costs ‌may⁤ force these ⁢individuals to make difficult choices​ between paying for internet access ‌and other essential⁢ needs like food and housing.⁢ Moreover, many ACP beneficiaries had grown accustomed to receiving free internet access, ⁢as the White House had initially encouraged internet providers to offer ⁣plans with minimum download speeds of 100 Mbps for $30 a month, which could be fully covered by the⁤ ACP benefit.

The Reason Behind the ACP’s Expiration

The primary reason ‍for ‍the ACP’s expiration is a lack of funding. Like any federal program, the ACP⁢ had a limited duration without⁢ being renewed by Congress.‌ Despite several appeals from‍ the Biden ​administration and various advocacy groups to extend⁣ the program, including a request for a $6 billion investment last October, no action⁢ was taken, and the⁣ program has now officially lapsed.

The Scope of ‌the ACP’s Impact

According to the White House, more than 23​ million households⁢ have taken advantage of the program since it went into effect. That’s a staggering number—roughly one ‌in six households—who now have to find another way to scrape together the funds to stay connected.

The end of​ the ACP was ⁣not entirely unexpected for the organizations that supported it.‌ In anticipation of the ⁤funding shortage, the ACP ⁢stopped accepting applications in ‍February 2024. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires networks to notify users about the ⁣program’s conclusion, so affected households should have received notices about the wind-down.

Moving Forward: Alternatives and Next Steps

For families who have been receiving⁢ the​ ACP benefit, ⁣the only option now is to start paying‍ full price for their internet connections,‌ if they can afford it. However, there⁣ is a smaller-scale alternative⁤ for households with incomes below 200 percent of the federal ‌poverty line or those who claim other government benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, or⁢ Social Security. The Universal Service Administrative ⁣Company offers a service‌ called ‍ Lifeline, which can provide ‍up to $9.25 per month​ for an ⁤internet connection ($34.25 per ⁤month for‌ those living on qualifying Tribal lands).

In a recent press⁢ conference, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated the Biden administration’s stance on encouraging telecom companies to continue honoring the ACP ⁤rules despite ⁢the lack of funding. However, it remains to be ​seen whether providers will comply with this request.

Affected users should have already received two notifications from their internet providers about the service changes. If this is not⁤ the ​case, they are advised to contact their providers directly. Ultimately, these individuals will need to decide whether to continue their service at the⁤ new price.⁢ The FCC has an information page about the ​ACP wind-down and encourages users to file complaints if necessary.