Enacted as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Affordable Connectivity Program serves almost 23 million households in both remote rural communities and underserved urban neighborhoods. This past week, the FCC announced that it will no longer accept new ACP enrollments after February 7, 2024, as funding for the program is expected to run out in May.
Legislators have introduced a bill proposing a $7 billion allocation to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program through 2024. This extension aims to sustain the monthly $30 discounts on internet service for low-income households, and up to $75 monthly discounts for eligible households in high-cost areas or tribal lands, and also provides a one-time discount of up to $100 off the price of an electronic device.
PHADA encourages agencies to continue advocacy efforts with legislators to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program for low-income families. For more information about Broadband programs in the BIL see the January 17 Advocate issue.