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.
2 Comments
So, will coffee shops see a surge in customers or what?
Guess it’s time to start valuing real-life connections more, huh?