The White House makes a final push for an internet subsidy program for 23 million American households

A federal initiative called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provided families with subsidies of up to $30 per month for internet service. For eligible families from reservations, this subsidy can be up to $75. Currently, there are more than 23 million American households enrolled in ACP.

However, the $14.2 billion funding that the US Congress allocated to ACP is about to run out. April will be the last month that ACP families receive the full subsidy. By May, this subsidy will be partially reduced. After May, if Congress does not supplement the budget for ACP, the American people will no longer receive subsidies.

In October 2023, the White House requested $6 billion to extend the program until December 2024, but the US Congress has not yet provided funding, which could put millions of households at risk of losing internet service.

Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman of the US Federal Communications Commission, said in a letter to lawmakers that April is the last month households participating in ACP will receive full benefits.

The US Congress previously allocated $17 billion to help lower-income families and those affected by COVID-19 gain broadband access through $30 per month vouchers to use. for internet service.

Jessica Rosenworcel said on April 2: 'We have come too far to end the successful effort to promote internet access for all. Despite widespread support and the urgent need to continue this program to ensure millions of households nationwide do not lose essential internet access, no additional funding has yet been allocated. Cut'.

The US Federal Communications Commission stopped ACP registration on February 8 for new users.

The White House said ACP saves all participants a total of more than $500 million per month on their internet bills. Telecommunications companies Verizon, Comcast and AT&T all called on the US Congress to extend the ACP.

The bipartisan bill introduced in January by Senators Peter Welch, JD Vance, Jacky Rosen and Kevin Cramer calls for $7 billion for ACP. The bill to fund ACP for a period of 1 year was introduced in the US House of Representatives and was supported by 216 members.

The US Federal Communications Commission cited a December 2023 survey that if ACP ended, more than three-quarters of households in the program 'would experience service interruptions or would have to change their current plans or Completely stop service'.

The White House makes a final push for an internet subsidy program for 23 million American households Picture 1

Telecommunications companies have informed customers participating in ACP that they will no longer receive the same price subsidy as before, and have offered a number of alternative options.

Telecommunications company Spectrum clearly announced that, if it does not receive additional funding, 'the ACP internet subsidy on the monthly bill that customers receive will no longer be available'. If customers continue to use Spectrum's services, they will have to pay the entire fee.

Telecommunications company Verizon also clearly announced that 'all subsidies under ACP will end when current budget resources are exhausted in the next few months'. After the program ends, customers can 'continue to use their service plan at rates without the ACP subsidy, or can terminate their service contract with Verizon'.

Verizon announced it will offer eligible families a monthly incentive of up to $20 through its Verizon Forward program. To qualify for this policy, ACP households must transfer the remaining program subsidy to Verizon before it ends.

Telecommunications company AT&T said that it is pushing the Biden administration to find a more permanent solution to this problem.

AT&T already offers low-cost internet service through the AT&T Access initiative for families benefiting from programs like SNAP and SSI. Families with income below $200 according to US federal poverty guidelines are eligible to participate in Access from AT&T . This $30/month standard plan comes with unlimited monthly data access.

Telecommunications company T-Mobile said it is contacting families who will be affected when ACP ends. Like other telecommunications companies, T-Mobile also offers low-cost plans that can help many families cope when they no longer receive subsidized ACP rates.

With the ACP winding down, many Americans now face the difficult choice of cutting back on other spending to pay for higher internet bills.

'My grandchildren make fun of me saying I'm stingy. I said: 'No, you are a saver'. I have no other choice. I have to count every penny. This means I have to cut down on food costs. I can't cut any more from any other expenses,' Ms. Cynthia George (71 years old, retired) said in an interview with CNN.

Many families face difficulties

According to a survey that Benenson Strategy Group conducted with Comcast, "many people worry that losing ACP subsidies will mean lost jobs and access to care." health. 65% of ACP participants fear losing their job or family's main source of income. 75% of ACP participants fear losing access to important health care services, like virtual appointments or prescription refills. 81% of parents participating in ACP are worried about their children falling behind in school.'

Among ACP's demographic groups, 49% are military families, 19% are families with seniors, and 26% of families live in rural areas.

One single mother said in the survey: 'School requires internet access. The days of having to carry books for each subject, homework, and a pen or pencil to school are over. Some parents cannot afford expensive internet fees or at least they put this expense at the bottom of the list of important bills. Every kid at school needs an internet connection anyway. This is the most important factor for children in school.'

According to the Benton Institute for Broadband Connectivity and Society, Americans contacted Congress through more than 280,000 calls, emails and social media posts at the end of January, asking regulators to Make a law to provide additional budget subsidies for ACP.

'The Internet is no longer optional but essential. Without internet connectivity, our local communities cannot access educational and employment opportunities, speak up online and exercise their First Amendment rights. me. Families who have difficulty paying for internet service should not have to forgo other necessities to stay connected. ACP has proven necessary and the program is facing the risk of running out of funding. However, extending the ACP could keep families from falling through the cracks. We are grateful to the bill's sponsors for caring about families in need,' said Jenna Leventoff, senior policy advisor at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The First Amendment is one of the most important provisions of the US Constitution. It protects basic freedoms essential to a democratic society. This amendment has been used to protect many types of speech, including political speech, free press, and protest.

Kareem Winters

Update 03 April 2024