ACP Related Broadband Grants News

Nov 23, 2022

The FCC stated that it will lean on the newly mandated broadband nutrition labels.

Nov 23, 2022

The FCC stated that it will lean on the newly mandated broadband nutrition labels.

Nov 22, 2022

Global UC is the first company to be removed by the FCC from receiving call traffic for robocall violations.

Nov 22, 2022

Global UC is the first company to be removed by the FCC from receiving call traffic for robocall violations.

Nov 28, 2022

Ziggy Rivkin-Fish, VP for Broadband StrategyHeather Mills, VP for Grant & Funding StrategiesCTC Technology & EnergyRecognizing that cost can be a barrier to subscribing to broadband services, Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to subsidize subscriptions for low-income residents.[1] To increase enrollment in the program, a new FCC-administered Affordable …

Nov 23, 2022

The FCC today released details about the data that service providers participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will have to file annually. Providers will have to report speed, latency, and bundle characteristics, as well as certain aggregated subscriber data….

Nov 30, 2022

Gov Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) announced a state partnership with national non-profit EducationSuperHighway to develop programs and implement best practices to address broadband affordability in the state. An estimated 214,760 Arkansas’ households have access to a home broadband connection but are offline because they can't afford to connect. This broadband affordability gap is the number one cause of the nation’s digital divide, keeps 18 million U.S. households offline, and disproportionately impacts low-income, Black, and Latino Americans. Over the past year, closing the broadband affordability gap has become a national priority. The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) allocated $65 billion to expand high-speed internet access. This includes $14.2 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal broadband benefit that provides eligible households with a monthly discount of up to $30 per month (up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands) and a one-time $100 discount toward a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Over 600,000 Arkansas households are eligible for the ACP, yet only 124,000 (20% of those eligible) have enrolled. EducationSuperHighway will partner with the Arkansas State Broadband Office, housed within the Arkansas Department of Commerce, to plan, implement, and execute the Affordable Connectivity Program awareness and engagement campaign.

Dec 02, 2022

In a study of subscribers who are enrolled in theAffordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and/or Cox’s Connect2Compete (C2C) program, about half have home internet for the first time and 70% credit home Internet for finding a new or a better…

Dec 05, 2022

According to a recent report from Cox, conducted by a third-party research firm, customers enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and/or who use Cox's Connect2Compete (C2C) service are experiencing significant positive impacts on their careers, their children's education and to the continuing education of the adults in their household. Cox's long-standing commitment to narrowing the digital divide began 20 years ago with Connect2Compete for families with K-12 children. Cox is proudly administering the Affordable Connectivity Program to deliver financial relief to customers and recently launched a new low-cost solution ideal for veterans, senior citizens, and Americans with disabilities, called ConnectAssist. C2C and ConnectAssist customers can receive free internet when the ACP benefit is applied. The October 2022 report, which surveyed more than 2,000 customers, found the positive impacts that stem from Cox internet access, 93 percent of ACP and C2C customers indicate they're able to pay their bills on time more easily, and 95 percent of C2C customers say it provides a way for their family to spend more time together. 

Dec 08, 2022

The US Department of the Treasury approved broadband projects in two additional states under the American Rescue Plan Act's (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund (CPF): Colorado and New Mexico. Together, these states will use their funding to connect nearly 60,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet. A key priority of the CPF program is to make funding available for reliable, affordable broadband infrastructure. In accordance with Treasury’s guidance, each state’s plan requires service providers to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s new Affordable Connectivity Program. (ACP). Colorado is approved to receive $170.8 million for broadband infrastructure, which the state estimates will connect 18,000 households and businesses – representing approximately 15% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access. New Mexico is approved to receive $117 million for broadband infrastructure, which the state estimates will connect an estimated 40,611 households and businesses – representing 21% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access.

Dec 15, 2022

Ninety percent of households enrolled in the Lifeline or Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) low-income broadband programs say they can’t afford a co-pay, according to a report from the National Lifeline Association (NaLA) based on a survey of Lifeline and ACP…

Dec 14, 2022

The Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) serve a vital role in providing low-income Americans with affordable access to essential communication services. Between November 21 and December 8, 2022, the National Lifeline Association (NaLA) surveyed more than 60,000 customers who use the Lifeline and/or ACP program about who they are and how they use the programs. Survey results indicate that low-income consumers use Lifeline and/or ACP service to connect to family and to access other government programs, healthcare, jobs and online education. Consumers rely on subsidized mobile broadband access to participate equally in all facets of daily life.

Dec 14, 2022

With a big push nationwide to get customers enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), most broadband providers seem to have forgotten about the Federal Communications Commission's Lifeline program that can provide a monthly discount of $9.25 off a telephone or broadband bill for qualifying customers. Customers can qualify for both the ACP discount and Lifeline, meaning an ISP can collect a total subsidy of $39.25 for a qualifying customer. Any ISP that is participating in ACP in order to reach low-income households should consider the Lifeline discount as well. Extending a $39.25 discount to households is a significant saving.

Dec 19, 2022

Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will have plenty of telecommunications issues on their plate as the country heads into 2023. Tax breaks for grant funding; ReConnect reform; Pole attachment problems; and perhaps even net neutrality – again. But New Street Research’s Blair Levin said a handful of truly pressing policy issues appear poised to be decided by the states and courts. According to Levin, a recent ruling by the Supreme Court in the West Virginia v. EPA case opened the door for anyone to “question anything the FCC does and provides new grounds for challenging” rules they don’t like. With this in mind, Levin said there are two court cases he’s got his eye on going into 2023: one in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit (Consumers’ Research v. FCC) weighing the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (USF) and another in New York looking at whether the state has the authority to require broadband providers to offer broadband plans at a certain price point. Levin said unlike other attempts to challenge the FCC’s authority, the 5th Circuit case is not frivolous as it could force the FCC and Congress to act to address the continued viability of the current USF system and weigh the related issue of what happens when money from the $14.2 billion Affordably Connectivity Program (ACP) runs out. 

Dec 20, 2022

The US Department of the Treasury announced the approval of broadband projects in three additional states under the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund (CPF): Illinois, Indiana, and North Carolina. Together, these states will use their funding to connect over 170,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet. A key priority of the Capital Projects Fund program is to make funding available for reliable, affordable broadband infrastructure. The Capital Projects Fund provides $10 billion to states, territories, freely associated states, and Tribal governments to fund critical capital projects that enable work, education, and health monitoring in response to the public health emergency.Additionally, each state’s plan requires service providers to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new Affordable Connectivity Program. (ACP). The Affordable Connectivity Program helps ensure that households can afford the high-speed internet they need for work, school, healthcare, and more by providing a discount of up to $30 per month (or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands). Experts estimate that nearly 40% of U.S. households are eligible for the program.

Dec 21, 2022

People with low incomes can get free Internet service through Comcast and the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), but signing up is sometimes harder than it should be because of confusion within Comcast's customer service department. The confusion is related to a Comcast rule that makes customers ineligible for Internet Essentials low-income service if they have been a Comcast subscriber in the previous 90 days. That rule and another one related to unpaid bills are not supposed to apply to people who also qualify for the ACP. The confusion among some Comcast customer service reps suggests the company hasn't completely trained employees on the rules of the low-income programs.

Jan 04, 2023

On November 23, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released new rules, as required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, establishing the Affordable Connectivity Program Transparency Data Collection, which will collect information related to the price, subscription rates, and plan characteristics of the internet service offerings of Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) participating providers. The FCC believes that the data collection will offer the commission an opportunity to collect detailed data about the services to which ACP households chose to apply the affordable connectivity benefit. The ACP data collection will leverage information required for the broadband consumer labels, helping to create efficiencies and minimize burdens on providers. The data collection is seen as one way for the FCC to measure the performance of the Affordable Connectivity Program. The goals of ACP are to (1) reduce the digital divide for low-income consumers; (2) promote awareness and participation in the program; and (3) ensure efficient and effective administration of the program. Here we take a look at the FCC's new rules.

Jan 04, 2023

Although the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) just created the Affordable Connectivity Program Transparency Data Collection in rules released on November 23, 2022, there is still a great deal of work to be done to collect information related to the price, subscription rates, and plan characteristics of the internet service offerings of Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) participating providers. First, implementation of the rules now falls to FCC staff; many details will be decided in the coming weeks. Second, in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Congress directs the FCC to revise the rules of the ACP Transparency Data Collection to verify the accuracy of the data submitted no later than 180 days after the final rules were issued and to make data from the annual collection publicly available in a commonly used electronic format while also protecting personally identifiable information and proprietary information. Here we look at what's on the FCC's agenda in efforts aimed at determining the value being provided by the affordable connectivity benefit to households and evaluating progress towards reducing the digital divide.

Jan 04, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau reminds potential applicants that complete applications to the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program (ACP Outreach Grant Program) must be received electronically through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Monday, January 9, 2023. Additionally, completed applications for the Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program (YHYI) and the ACP Navigator Pilot Program (NPP) must be received electronically through both the USAC Application Portal and through Grants.gov no later than 9:00 PM EST on January 9, 2023. In November 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the ACP Outreach Grant Program to raise awareness about the nation’s largest-ever broadband affordability effort, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP Outreach Grant Program provides grant funding for four complementary programs: the National Competitive Outreach Program (NCOP); the Tribal Competitive Outreach Program (TCOP); the YHYI Outreach Grants; and the NPP Outreach Grants. These programs provide new federal funding for the FCC to grant eligible governmental and nongovernmental entities funding and resources needed to increase awareness of and participation in the ACP among those households most in need of affordable connectivity

Jan 10, 2023

The year 2023 could prove to be a volatile year for the Federal Communications Commission as it wrestles with a number of lawsuits concerning its Universal Service Fund (USF) program. Should federal circuit courts rule the USF is unconstitutional, it would harm the households relying on USF subsidies and potentially the future of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), according to New Street Research (NSR). In short, the USF framework is at risk of imploding, NSR’s Blair Levin said. If one or more of the courts declares the USF illegal and subsequently suspends the program, it would bring about “immediate damage” to the institutions and low-income families depending on those funds. The FCC will no longer be able to raise money to address USF purposes, said Levin. The USF currently supports four key programs serving different vulnerable market segments: the Connect America Fund (rural areas), Lifeline (low income consumers), E-Rate (schools and libraries), and Rural Health Care.

Jan 17, 2023

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Jan 13, 2023

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in a case regarding New York's Affordable Broadband Act, a 2021 law that would have mandated that internet service providers (ISPs) offer a $15 service option for low-income consumers. That law, signed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY), was quickly put on ice when industry groups representing ISPs sued the state. But New York appealed that decision, with support from consumer groups and other states, bringing the parties back to court. New Street Research wrote that the main concern of ISPs isn't New York's mandate per se but with the idea "that states can mandate a specific offering to a specific population at a specific price." "The industry fear is that other states might impose requirements far more onerous than what New York requires, such as by further lowering the price, raising the speed requirements, or expanding the eligibility pool to make broadband 'affordable' for middle-class customers." The "real danger" to the industry is the "end of the ACP," the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program, which currently provides broadband subsidies to roughly 15 million low-income households but may run out of funding by mid-2024.

Jan 17, 2023

There are almost 15.6 million households using the broadband subsidy from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The program started with a little over 9 million households at the start of 2022 and added over 500,000 new enrollees per month. Several folks who track funding say that ACP is going to run out of money sometime in the summer of 2024. The obvious solution to keep ACP operating is for Congress to refill the ACP funding bucket. The ACP was not created through a normal budget appropriations bill but was funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a one-time funding event, and that means specific legislation will be needed to keep the program running. Anybody who understands the implications of having a Congress divided between the two parties knows that this will be a major challenge in 2023 or 2024, which means that it’s time to think about what happens when the ACP fund runs dry. What I find most distressing is the idea of bringing affordable broadband to homes, knowing that the discounts will likely disappear 18 months from now.

Jan 19, 2023

Reducing the broadband affordability gap is an important and noble goal. Unfortunately, it is far from clear whether Lifeline, the federal program tasked with getting low-income households online, actually addresses this problem. For over a decade, academics, government watchdogs, and independent auditors have criticized the Federal Communications Commission’s inability or unwillingness to measure the program’s effectiveness—while private studies suggest much of this spending may be misdirected toward families at no risk of losing internet access. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) represents a significant expansion of the benefits available under Lifeline. But at the ACP’s core, one finds the same fundamental flaw that fatally infects Lifeline: It gives a monthly subsidy to a wide range of recipients based on income or participation in other federal programs, on the unproven assumption that these payments will improve broadband adoption rates among low-income families. Like Lifeline, ACP’s proponents have not studied the relevant population to determine the drivers of low-income non-adoption. Given that well over 70 percent of ACP-eligible households already subscribe to broadband service, giving $30 per month to such a wide swath of recipients makes it likely that significant sums of money will be wasted on households that are not at risk of canceling their broadband service. With careful study and some minor legislative tweaks to the existing statute, ACP could avoid duplicating the efficiency and effectiveness problems that have long plagued the Lifeline program.

Jan 19, 2023

Fitting the monthly cost of a broadband subscription into a low-income household budget is difficult, to say the least, because of the costs of competing necessities like lodging, food, and healthcare. These financial pressures—and unexpected expenses—keep too many people in the U.S. from subscribing to home broadband service—or cause them to drop service at times to make ends meet. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress recognized these obstacles for low-income people and created a program—first called the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program—to reduce the monthly costs of connectivity. With passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November 2021, Congress turned the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit Program into a longer-term subsidy. Launched in January 2022 with $14.2 billion in funding, the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a critical component of the ongoing federal investment in broadband adoption. Eligible households receive $30/month (and up to $75/month on Tribal lands) to defray the cost of internet service, as well as up to $100 towards the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. On January 18, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society hosted a panel discussion on ACP enrollment. Drew Garner, the State Broadband Policy Advisor at Common Sense Media, moderated the panel. He began the discussion by noting the three steps low-income households must complete before they begin enjoying ACP benefits: first, they must confirm that their household is eligible to participate in the program; then they must complete an application to be enrolled in ACP; and, finally, they must choose an internet service provider and pick a plan to subscribe to.

Jan 19, 2023

The National Lifeline Association (NaLA) announces the establishment of the National Agent Coalition (NAC), the national trade association for distributors and representatives who conduct in-person enrollment into the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs (ACP). NAC will serve as a voice for agents, who are on the front lines of bridging the digital divide through these programs. They will support the industry by providing resources for agents, increasing agent impact and ensuring eligible consumers are enrolled. The group will ensure enrollment efforts are conducted with the highest level of business standards and will meet on an ongoing basis to develop and maintain a rigorous Agent Code of Conduct, among other agent and distributor resources. 

Jan 23, 2023

A little over a year ago, Smart Rural Community (SRC) published a report addressing Rural Imperatives in Broadband Adoption and Digital Inclusion (that was, in fact, the title of the report – hence the title-case lettering there). The report relied chiefly on data produced by Pew Research and other organizations, including industry, academic, and governmental sources. The paper focused on home and “all broadband” adoption (the latter including mobile devices) and examined four demographic categories bounded by age, household income, educational attainment, and race. The good news: Adoption is growing in all categories, and gaps between different segments of the individual categories are narrowing. The bad news: Affordability remains the largest barrier to adoption. Household income and educational attainment (the latter is linked to earning potential) remain categories in which the broadest gaps exist. Nevertheless, I was bullish on the narrowing adoption rates in age-related categories. I read the narrowing gaps among users of different ages (18-29, 30-49, 50-64, and 65+) as predictive and concluded in the report that usage rates among seniors and young people will eventually be roughly equal. The optimist in me predicted that I won’t give up my broadband when my AARP membership comes due. But, as Paul Harvey might have said, there’s always “the rest of the story.”Last week, McKinsey & Company released a report on Closing the Digital Divide in Black America. Echoing data presented in the SRC report, McKinsey notes the need to address affordability, stating, “the majority of Black households directly impacted by the digital divide live in areas with available infrastructure but simply can’t afford broadband service.” This finding underscores the need for federal programs such as the Universal Service Fund, which supports (pursuant to Congressional directives articulated in the Communications Act) not only the deployment in rural areas of broadband that as “reasonably comparable” to that which is available in urban areas, but also that those services be available at “reasonably comparable” rates. And where the general constructs do not extend far enough, there are programs that offer additional support to low-income users, including Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).The SRC report mentioned above addresses many of the use cases for broadband, particularly rural broadband. These include applications to support economic development, education, and healthcare. And, even while expressing optimism over U.S. adoption and usage trends, NTCA followed the report with the creation of a digital inclusion toolkit aimed at helping rural broadband providers develop and deliver even greater digital inclusion initiatives. The McKinsey report provides yet another perspective on strategies to avoid the hazards (and opportunity costs) of low adoption and usage rates.Now, back to aging. The trends do not suggest that there will be large-scale broadband disconnections as people round the bend toward the proverbial 16th hole. But, and borrowing from both my recent experiences at CES as well as insight offered by the McKinsey team, neither does that mean that digital literacy efforts for seniors should wind down over the next 20 years. To the contrary, there is an imperative for communities (however those communities are defined, whether by place or cultural affiliation) to evolve their elder-oriented digital literacy efforts over time.As the McKinsey experts observed, technology is dynamic, and its applications evolve and expand over time. So, the mastery of the tablet and online banking that a grandparent achieved several years ago might not be sufficient to navigate newly forming telemedicine resources – for example, the use of virtual reality for telehealth. Or to avoid ever emerging cyber and privacy threats.And there are the positive aspects, as well. We often talk about broadband as enabling opportunities. Last week’s Daily Yonder provided a salient example: the use of online, remote fitness classes for rural seniors. And, as the article explains, the new classes are not COVID-driven substitutes but rather COVID-inspired offerings that did not enjoy widespread use before the pandemic. The Daily Yonder also reports that the National Council on Aging convenes monthly conference calls to explore virtual offerings for seniors. To be sure, and as we have discussed previously, virtual interactions are not a substitute for in-person interactions. But positive impacts of virtual interactions to relieve senior loneliness and isolation have been identified. (“Loneliness” refers to the subject’s experience of unfulfilled social and intimate needs. By contrast, “isolation” is a lack of social connections. A person can be isolated, yet not feel lonely, while a person with social contacts can yet feel lonely.) The sum of it that as applications evolve, the need for education and literacy coaching will continue as we age. I’m still optimistic on adoption and usage rates for the elderly – just more broadly now.© 2023, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association All rights reserved. 4121 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203Explore NTCA Sites

Jan 25, 2023

Access to broadband—high-speed internet—has become critical for everyday life. But its cost may keep some people from having access to it. The Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers eligible low-income households discounts on the cost of their broadband service and certain devices. FCC reimburses participating internet service providers for providing these discounts. To make it more affordable for low-income Americans, the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program offers monthly discounts on broadband service to eligible households. FCC could strengthen the program's goals and measures, consumer outreach, and fraud-risk management to better ensure the program is meeting goals and protecting its funds from potential fraud. Ultimately, the recommendations include:

Jan 26, 2023

New Federal Communications Commission maps that measure broadband access, and new American Community Survey data that measure adoption, show that only 64.4% of rural American households have access to broadband at 100/20 throughput. Most, 58.8%, subscribe to broadband, a gap of less than 6 percentage points. Even with new FCC maps, 98.5% of urban households have access to broadband, but only 73% subscribe. The number in the suburbs is only slightly better: 97% access and 76% adoption. Before I go any deeper, I strongly recommend reading John Horrigan’s [Senior Fellow at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] excellent analysis of this ACS data. The former argues convincingly that the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has succeeded in increasing the adoption of broadband in America’s cities; the latter points out the persistent racial divide among broadband adoption and makes recommendations to close the gap. The high adoption rate relative to access, 59% adoption against 64% access, suggests that the currently unserved and unserved are eager for access and will have a high take rate. On the other side, there is plenty of room to grow in urban areas. At 73% adoption, there are about 10.2 million homes that still don’t have broadband. That’s similar to the 12 million rural homes that don’t have broadband service currently. Another 17.4 million suburban homes don’t have broadband.

Jan 30, 2023

In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau has waived certain Lifeline program rules in thirteen previous Orders to provide relief for low-income households. The Bureau finds good cause exists to continue to waive the Lifeline recertification and re-verification requirements for those Lifeline subscribers residing on Tribal lands through April 30, 2023. This waiver also addresses the potential impact it may have on subscribers of the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs (ACP) that were required to undergo recertification for the calendar year 2022. The FCC will continue to monitor the situation to determine whether any additional extension of these waivers is appropriate, but given the generally improving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased connectivity between the National Verifier and relevant databases, it anticipates that this will likely be the Bureau’s final extension of these waivers.

Jan 31, 2023

People in need don’t want a handout; they want a hand-up that will enable them to improve their circumstances and lead more productive, successful lives. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is giving workers, students, and families the hand-up they need to compete in the connected 21st-century digital economy. Created in 2021 as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and administered by the Federal Communications Commission, the ACP gives eligible families a monthly discount of up to $30 to pay for broadband service, along with an initial, one-time grant of $100 they can use to help purchase a computer, laptop or other electronic devices that will enable them to connect to the internet. Extending this effective program, whose funding is set to expire in the next 18 months, should be a priority for the 118th Congress. Online connectivity is an absolute necessity for modern families. Without it, kids can’t do their homework or attend online classes, wage earners can’t look for jobs or work from home, and ultimately, the US will fail to keep up with our global competitors if we fail to connect all Americans. The benefits of extending the ACP far outweigh the costs. The program yields an undeniably positive economic impact, experienced by 14 million households and climbing. When the government supports programs that empower Americans to lift themselves up, we all benefit.[Steve Forbes is chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media]

Feb 01, 2023

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an essential report AFFORDABLE BROADBAND: FCC Could Improve Performance Goals and Measures, Consumer Outreach, and Fraud Risk Management, written by GAO Director of Infrastructure Andrew Von Ah, a tour de force of 106 pages. To prepare the report, the GAO assessed the Federal Communication Commission Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) program proceedings, outreach materials, and enrollment data; interviewed 27 dozen diverse policy stakeholders, reviewed enrollment fraud risk vis-à-vis the Social Security Administration and the US Postal Service, and audited the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) performance of the program. The ACP has become one the largest and most important programs of broadband adoption ever tried. The GAO report is a treasure trove for policy researchers. Overall, the GAO report makes a positive assessment of the ACP as part of the goal to close the digital divide and its adherence to the timeline stipulated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The GAO compliments the FCC overall on its commitment to continuous improvement, and the report confirms that the ACP fulfills its goal to close the digital divide in a timely fashion and with continuously improving FCC management and performance.[Roslyn Layton is a Senior Contributor on International Tech Policy for Forbes.]

Feb 02, 2023

Unfortunately, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is set to run out of funds as soon as early 2024. For conservatives who are rightly concerned about traditional government subsidies, I humbly suggest that extending the ACP by appropriating additional funds for the program is well within our economic principles, even when we absolutely must shrink overall federal spending. As a committed conservative with a long history on communications policy, let me explain. First, there is bi-partisan agreement that access to broadband can be a key tool for citizen self-sufficiency and upward social mobility, and because of this, ensuring every American has access is a national policy priority. Second, broadband adoption reduces governmental costs to function and opens doors for businesses. Lastly, let’s recognize that American poverty is not isolated to urban areas but distributed throughout our country in so-called Red areas and Blue ones. The opportunity gap resulting from unequal broadband access impacts all regions. ACP is our best solution to address broadband affordability so far.[Michael O’Rielly served as Federal Communications Commission Commissioner from 2015 to 2020.]

Feb 08, 2023

Westminster City (CO) officials have signed a deal with Google Fiber to bring high-speed internet to the city. The deal will make gig-speed fiber internet available to those in the city. Construction of the fiber optic network will start in 2023 in the city's right of way and easements. Service will become available as network segments are completed. Google and the city will team up to create informational materials for people and businesses in the city. Google Fiber participates in the Federal Communication Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which helps keep people connected to the internet. Eligible homes could get a monthly subsidy of up to $30 toward the cost of high-speed internet. Westminster is now the second Colorado city to get fiber internet. Lakewood announced a partnership with Google in late 2022. 

Feb 09, 2023

EducationSuperHighway released LearnACP, a new training course and certification for states, cities, and community-based organizations working to increase awareness and adoption of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The new training is offered for free by the national non-profit and is designed to prepare individuals who support potential beneficiaries to determine if they qualify for the program, complete the application, and enroll in an affordable internet plan. LearnACP takes 45-60 minutes to complete, providing enrollment advocates with a comprehensive understanding of the adoption process to confidently answer questions and support eligible individuals. Those who enroll will learn how the ACP can help households get connected, who is eligible, and how to:Upon completion of the course, users receive a certificate of completion, creating a community of trained ACP enrollment specialists nationwide that are critical to increasing ACP enrollment and closing the broadband affordability gap.

Feb 09, 2023

T-Mobile is expanding its participation in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through its Lifeline Assistance brand – Assurance Wireless. Lifeline is a Federal Communications Commission program for low-income consumers, which provides a discount on qualifying monthly phone and broadband services. T-Mobile said that it is offering ACP in seven more states, bringing the total number to 48 states and the District of Columbia. The seven new states are Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming. With the ACP benefit at Assurance Wireless, subscribers can receive data, text, and calls via the power of T-Mobile's nationwide network. Assurance Wireless is also offering a free Android smartphone for new customers. T-Mobile said that during congestion, customers choosing Assurance Wireless may notice lower speeds than other customers due to data prioritization. 

Feb 10, 2023

Significant increases in consumption and speeds, spurred in part by government incentives, powered broadband toward or past major milestones at the end of 2022. The 4Q22 edition of the OpenVault Broadband Insights (OVBI) report indicates that average household consumption neared 600 GB per month, the percentage of subscribers on gigabit tiers more than doubled, and usage by participants in the Federal Communication Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) continued to outpace that of the general population. According to this 4Q22 edition, the average per-household consumption was 586.7 GB at the end of 2022, an increase of nearly 10% over the prior year. During the same period, the percentage of subscribers provisioned for gigabit speeds rose to 26%, and median usage by ACP participants was more than 34% higher than the median usage of all subscribers. In addition, the 4Q22 OVBI highlighted late-morning Christmas Day usage spikes that may carry implications for operators’ service and customer support planning. Additional key findings include:Demand for greater internet speed continues to increase, especially on UBB platforms, as evidenced by the significant migration of users to speeds above 500 Mbps. Operators need to be mindful not only of this overall growth but of growth among specific segments of subscribers and at specific times. Consumption by subscribers in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program continues to outpace that of all subscribers, and rapid growth of peak time consumption – especially during and around the holiday season – are both considerations that need to be addressed in network planning.

Feb 14, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission is contracting communications firm Porter Novelli Public Services (PNPS) to carry out a "consumer education plan" in order to broaden public awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The FCC detailed its plans to work with PNPS in a contract opportunity posted on Sam.gov, with an award date of February 1, 2023. The FCC "requires a contractor capable of providing a variety of services that will assist and complement our ongoing work of educating eligible households to enroll in the ACP," reads the notice. While an estimated 48 million households qualify for the ACP, just 15.5 million homes are enrolled. "Thus, a significant number of qualifying households have not yet enrolled in the ACP. Extensive outreach by a wide range of outreach partners is therefore needed to help maximize the potential impact of the ACP." Concerns about under-enrollment in the ACP have been raised for months. Various groups and stakeholders have pointed to issues ranging from a lack of awareness to complicated signup processes to a lack of multilingual educational materials and well beyond. PNPS was the only vendor to submit a proposal and was awarded that contract on December 6, 2022. The firm is now being hired by the FCC to execute the consumer education plan.

Feb 14, 2023

Another new proposed regulation from the FCC is aimed at tweaking the Wireless Emergency Alerts system.

Apr 10, 2023

The FCC will launch the bureau on Tuesday.

Apr 11, 2023

The FCC has been trying to get as many eligible Americans on the ACP as possible through outreach.

Apr 03, 2023

Last month, the Affordable Connectivity Program was announced to have 16 million Americans signed up.

Mar 21, 2023

A Common Sense Media pilot campaign in Phoenix, Arizona, quadrupled enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program to 8,500 households a month in a limited amount of time. Here's how they did it.

Apr 20, 2023

The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) announced a statewide initiative called ACP4ME to increase awareness of and enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program to help lower-income households pay for high-speed internet. In Maine, 238,710 households are eligible for the ACP, yet only about 76,718 (32% of those eligible) have enrolled. Funding for the ACP is limited, so to receive the most benefit and signal the importance of the program, the Maine Connectivity Authority urges Mainers to enroll. MCA is working with EducationSuperHighway, a national non-profit working to close the broadband affordability gap, and has launched a pre-enrollment tool and ACP4ME resources to help Maine households prepare and succeed with enrollment: GetACP.org/Maine.

Apr 24, 2023

Fourteen Maine counties and 73 communities will benefit from $20 million in grant funding from the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) as part of its Reach Me Line Extension Program that will expand reliable, fast and affordable internet. The Reach Me grant funding will be matched by $13 million in private investment and will extend broadband service to 6,300 potential subscriber locations across 14 counties. Through this program, MCA worked directly with nine internet service providers (ISPs) to identify portions of their existing networks that would benefit from line extensions. These new connections will provide service to all locations in each area currently unserved by high-speed internet. Maine Connectivity Authority received over $60 million of funding requests for the program, which was designed to leverage and optimize existing ISP infrastructure with a focus on deploying funding where needed most. New connections provided through the Reach Me Line Extension program will provide high-speed broadband service at levels of at least 100/100 Mbps. Service providers receiving awards must participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which guarantees internet access to low-income households for no more than the fully federally subsidized amount of $30 per month. Funding for the Reach Me Program was made available through the American Rescue Plan Capital Projects Fund. [see awardees at link below]

Apr 24, 2023

Keeping American families and veterans connected is too important to allow the ACP to lapse.

May 02, 2023

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is at an inflection point. Launched in early 2022, ACP provides 17 million households up to $30/month in subsidies to offset the cost of broadband. But the program faces two critical challenges. First, less than a third of eligible households currently participate in the program—mainly because the people who could benefit most from the subsidy are unaware that it exists. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), local governments, and digital equity groups are stepping up efforts to improve ACP awareness and participation. Targeted outreach is needed to inform these households about the ACP and could benefit from analysis of the patterns of ACP enrollment. Second, as successful as the program has been, ACP subsidies are at risk without Congressional action in the coming months.The initial ACP investment is dwindling which could mean the program will have to sunset in the next year. Analysis of enrollment patterns will show policymakers and advocates which places may suffer most from the program’s termination. The Benton Institute’s ACP Performance Tool is a resource for any community that wants to answer the question: “How are ACP sign-ups going?” To answer, search a 5-digit zip code on the tool’s website. The ACP Performance Tool returns results that show two important numbers for the zip code area: 1) how many households have signed up for ACP (from government data) and 2) the expected number of households enrolled.

May 02, 2023

New data published by the Federal Communications Commission, in response to a Senate inquiry, reveals how much funding the commission has committed to providers through its affordable broadband programs, including the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) and its successor, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). According to that report, Charter Communications is far and away the largest participant in both programs. The data shows provider obligations (how much funding the FCC owes), disbursements (how much the FCC has paid out), and remaining obligations (the difference) as of the end of February 2023. Charter's EBB obligations were $637 million, and its ACP obligations were $909.97 million, according to the FCC's data. The EBB – which provided a $50 monthly subsidy – was replaced by $30/month ACP at the end of 2021, following the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

May 01, 2023

Horry alleges service providers are signing up customers to the ACP that don't actually qualify.

May 04, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced a new Affordable Connectivity Program application landing page available at GetInternet.gov. This consumer-friendly site, now accessible through a simple and memorable URL, explains the benefits of the program, serves as a call to action for eligible consumers to apply, and enables consumers to easily apply for the program.Working with staff from the Executive Office of the President, the Bureau and the Office of the Managing Director successfully transitioned ownership of GetInternet.gov to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The information previously available at GetInternet.gov will continue to be available by accessing whitehouse.gov/getinternet. AffordableConnectivity.gov and FCC.gov/ACP will continue to serve as resources providing detailed information about the Affordable Connectivity Program for consumers, digital navigators, and participating providers.

May 08, 2023

The website is said to conveniently house relevant information and sign-up for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

May 08, 2023

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society recently launched an ACP Enrollment Performance Tool to compare expected Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment to actual enrollment. The difference is a measure of performance. The tool displays actual ACP enrollment, predicted enrollment, as well as metrics that help users understand the drivers of good (or not-so-good) performance, such as housing costs or severe poverty. In the event ACP sunsets in 2024, the tool can also help identify places most at risk for disconnection—and help guide policymakers as they consider how to fill the ACP void should the program end. The ACP puts more low-income Americans on the same footing as everyone else regarding communications tools in the United States. Over 80% of households with incomes over $50,000 annually have both wireline and wireless internet service plans. Low-income households often must choose between a cellular data plan or a wireline one for service. Many opt for cellular data plans because it is a flexible communications tool (mobility, voice, and internet service). The ACP subsidy allows low-income households to add a service, whether it is a wireless or wireline service. One could argue that the ACP is the single most important policy intervention to advance universal service policy goals in the past quarter century.

May 10, 2023

The sharing of the 12 GHz band between satellite and mobile services has been the subject of contention for years.

May 15, 2023

Recently we launched the Benton Institute’s Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Performance Tool, a free resource that helps communities answer the question: “How are ACP sign-ups going?” Using the tool to search 5-digit zip codes delivers two important numbers:1) how many households have signed up for ACP and 2) the expected number of households enrolled. Comparing expected enrollment to actual enrollment is a measure of performance. In this article, our goal is to help readers better understand the tool’s inner workings and what that means for policymakers. The ACP Enrollment Performance Tool rests on a statistical model that captures individual and community-wide circumstances to explain ACP enrollment at the 5-digit zip code level. The inclusion of community-wide characteristics adds significantly to the tool’s predictive power and offers a more nuanced view of what influences ACP enrollment levels. If ACP enrollment is cast only as an individual decision, then explaining it is relatively simple. The government determines who is eligible, these households demonstrate that they qualify, and then decide whether to undertake the effort to enroll. The reality is much more complex. Many potentially eligible households are unaware of the ACP, a significant number encounter frictions in enrolling, and some harbor suspicions about whether the benefit is “too good to be true.” The availability of trusted information and intermediaries can help smooth the enrollment process, and a household’s community can be a conduit for such trusted information.[John B. Horrigan is a Benton Senior Fellow and a national expert on technology adoption, digital inclusion, and evaluating the outcomes and impacts of programs designed to promote communications technology adoption and use. Brian Whitacre is Professor and Neustadt Chair in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University, where he studies the role of technology in rural economic development. Hernan Galperin is Associate Professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication where he studies Internet policy and social inequality.​]

May 12, 2023

Is the Lifeline program effective? Should E-Rate be expanded to cover school-related connectivity outside of campuses? Would it make sense to fold the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) into the Universal Service Fund (USF)? These were some of the questions asked and answered at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the state of universal service. Sen John Thune (R-SD) claimed the Lifeline program is “riddled with waste, fraud and abuse” and chided the Federal Communications Commission for failing to evaluate whether the program is functioning as intended. He said a fundamental review of Lifeline’s efficacy is “long overdue.” Daniel Lyons, a non-resident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and panelist at the hearing, pointed out the Government Accountability Office has repeatedly called on the FCC to conduct such an evaluation. He claimed that Pew Research data has shown that among families earning $35,000 or less, 57% have home broadband and 76% have mobile phones, suggesting that at least a portion of Lifeline money – or even ACP money – is going to individuals who are not at risk of losing their service absent the subsidies. It appears Lyons was referring to a 2021 survey from Pew Research, which actually found that those statistics applied to consumers earning less than $30,000 per year. It was not clear whether that survey also measured how many respondents in that income bracket were receiving some sort of federal subsidy to facilitate their connections. Further, that survey found that 45% of all non-broadband users cited cost as the reason for not being connected.

May 12, 2023

President Joe Biden (D-DE) signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)18 months ago. To date, the Administration has announced over $220 billion in IIJA funding, including over 32,000 specific projects and awards, across over 4,500 communities in all 50 states, DC, and territories. To implement the law, agencies have now hired over 5,000 federal employees, and states and territories have appointed infrastructure coordinators to facilitate clear communication and coordination with the federal government. Key projects are moving forward across the country – many of which had been waiting decades on the sidelines. The IIJA invests $65 billion to help ensure that every American has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet through a historic commitment to broadband adoption and infrastructure deployment. Since IIJA’s passage, the Administration has worked to streamline the portfolio of complementary programs into a two-pronged strategy that focused most specifically on affordability and access and deployment. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is the centerpiece of the Administration’s affordability work. Currently, 17.9 million households have enrolled in the ACP, with more enrolling every day. The Federal Communications Commission has allocated $100 million for paid media and grants to organizations to do ACP outreach, the first $73 million of grants of which was announced last month. On deployment, the Department of Commerce and Department of Agriculture are coordinating a joint effort to announce $1.7 billion in grants for rural broadband, $1 billion for Middle Mile high-speed Internet infrastructure, and state allocations for the $42.5 billion state grant program.Commerce has also awarded 147 Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) grants, totaling more than $1.76 billion, and serving over 210 Tribal Governments, with additional awards expected in the coming week (May 15-19). The IIJA also invests more than $13 billion directly to Tribal communities to provide affordable high-speed internet, safer roads and bridges, modern wastewater and sanitations systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, and good paying jobs.

May 16, 2023

AT&T and the Public Library Association (PLA) have launched a free self-paced online course to educate parents, caregivers and families about the federal broadband benefits available to qualifying households for discounted internet service from participating providers. To help bridge the digital divide, AT&T and PLA collaborated to develop an easily accessible and relatable course that provides an in-depth overview of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), the documents needed to apply, the process of applying, and how to use the benefit, if eligible. The online course is available now through AT&T ScreenReady and PLA’s DigitalLearn in English and Spanish. With support from AT&T, 50 libraries will be selected by PLA to provide in-person ACP workshops in the community. Up to 215 libraries will also be selected to provide in-person digital literacy workshops teaching basic technology skills. Library patrons can check with local libraries to learn about upcoming workshops supported by AT&T, which will begin in August 2023. The ACP course is the newest in a curated series of digital literacy courses offered by AT&T and PLAto help bring technology confidence and digital literacy skills to families and library patrons across the country. The initiative is part of the AT&T Connected Learning initiative and our 3-year $2 billion commitment made in 2021 to address the digital divide through investments in internet accessibility, affordability and the safe adoption of technology.

May 17, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission wrote to the largest Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) providers using alternate verification processes to request a subscriber eligibility crosscheck with the National Verifier system. The FCC also requested information on these providers’ continued need to use an alternative verification process and how the process is sufficient to protect program funds. In addition to the letters to participating ACP providers, the FCC announced additional steps to protect the integrity of the ACP Program:To read the full text of the letters to the ACP providers, please visit here.

May 19, 2023

Recertification is an annual requirement for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) subscribers. Service providers with Federal Communications Commission-approved alternative verification processes or that use a school-based eligibility verification process for the national school lunch or breakfast program must conduct recertification for those subscribers. For all other ACP subscribers, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) conducts recertification to ensure that ACP subscribers are still eligible for the benefit. Subscribers who participate in Lifeline and ACP that pass the USAC-conducted Lifeline recertification process will not need to undergo a separate ACP recertification process. Starting in June 2023, and over the course of the next few months, USAC will initiate automated eligibility database checks to verify the eligibility of ACP subscribers due for recertification in 2023. Subscribers who pass the automated check will complete the 2023 recertification requirement and will not need to take any further action to confirm their continued eligibility now or later this year. Subscribers who fail the automated check will be required to recertify their continued eligibility. USAC will conduct outreach to those subscribers. Each subscriber will have a 60-day window to recertify. 

May 22, 2023

Click to read more..

May 22, 2023

The clock is ticking on the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Current estimates show the program may run out of funding as soon as the end of the first quarter in 2024. The only solution for keeping ACP operating is for Congress to refill the ACP funding bucket somehow. Angela Siefer of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance said that reauthorizing ACP was one of the biggest broadband issues on the plate for Congress. She talked about the many gains that have been made in getting broadband to low-income homes. The ACP was not created through a normal budget appropriations bill but was funded by $14.2 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). There was also rollover funding of $2.2 billion added from the previous Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program that had been funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. That was a one-time funding event, and that means specific legislation is needed to keep the program running. There has been talk of moving the responsibility of the ACP to the Federal Communications Commission's Universal Service Fund (USF). But that would mean the agency would have to find a new way to pay for it. The current fees levied on long distance telecommunications are not nearly large enough to absorb the ACP obligations. Congress has already been considering ways to eliminate the FCC’s Lifeline fund, so the USF might not be a politically viable solution.

May 19, 2023

A TikTok spokesperson argued that the ban violates the First Amendment.

May 26, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission announced details for additional outreach grant opportunities to promote the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The outreach grants seek to enlist targeted trusted community messengers to develop innovative outreach strategies to reach historically unserved and underserved communities. The FCC is issuing two Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for up to $10 million, targeting $5 million for the National Competitive Outreach Program (NCOP) and $5 million for the Tribal Competitive Outreach Program (TCOP). Eligible NCOP applicants must submit applications by no later than 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on June 30, 2023. Eligible TCOP applicants must submit applications by no later than 6:00 p.m. EDT on July 28, 2023. For questions about the grant opportunities, contact ACPGrants@fcc.gov. For assistance using www.grants.gov, please contact the Help Desk at (800) 518-4726 or email support@grants.gov. For Section 504 Compliance support, please contact the FCC Section 504 Compliance Officer at FCC504@fcc.gov. To find out about eligibility requirements and apply for ACP, go to GetInternet.gov.

Jun 01, 2023

Are Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) subsidies being targeted to households currently without broadband? The Federal Communications Commission's Office of Inspector General (OIG)currently lacks a reliable source for the information requested. OIG is not aware of any process to collect information regarding prior broadband access as part of the ACP consumer eligibility verification and enrollment process.Has the FCC developed specific goals and metrics to track the ACP’s effectiveness and progress over time?The FCC established three goals for the ACP: (1) reduce the digital divide for low-income consumers, (2) promote awareness and participation in the ACP and the Lifeline program, and (3) ensure efficient and effective administration of the ACP. Nonetheless, GAO found that neither the FCC’s goals nor corresponding measures were expressed in a quantifiable manner. OIG is currently conducting an audit relevant to this question. Has the FCC adequately communicated with participating providers to prepare for potential lapses in ACP funding? OIG does not have information responsive to this question.

Jun 02, 2023

The federal government is in the process of deploying billions in broadband funding—including more than $80 billion in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars—to ensure that every American has access to reliable, high-speed internet. But even when infrastructure investments deliver network access to unserved and underserved communities, families won’t benefit unless they can afford internet service. In fact, a 2021 survey of unconnected households found that the mean price respondents said they could pay was $10, but a majority said zero. Moreover, given the influence of cost on customer demand and the high capital costs of deploying broadband, internet service providers have little reason to upgrade existing networks or build new ones in low-income areas. Although public funds such as loans or grants can help offset the cost of capital expenses, internet service providers (ISPs) require additional funding to keep these high-cost communities online. In 2021, Congress took action on these supply and demand issues by establishing the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This program has become a vital tool in securing broadband access, with more than 18 million households enrolled in the program. Enrollment has been high in both rural and urban areas, polling shows strong, bipartisan support for ACP among voters, and the program plays a critical role in meeting the Congressional mandate that every American household have access to high-speed, affordable internet. But despite this success, ACP is projected to run out of funds by March 2024 unless Congress acts. Failure to reauthorize ACP could also jeopardize the success of other federal broadband access initiatives.

Jun 05, 2023

In 2021, the Office of the State Comptroller reported that more than 1 million (roughly 14 percent) New York households lacked access to broadband. Two federal programs—the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)—have been established to address these disparities in access and are demonstrating positive results. The share of low-income households with a broadband subscription climbed from 64 percent to 76 percent between 2019 and 2021, a 12 percentage point increase. As of May 15, 2023, more than 1.3 million New York households are receiving affordable broadband subscriptions with federal support.

Jun 06, 2023

Thank you for your letter sent on March 16, 2023, asking for specific information regarding the Federal Communications Commission’s distribution of funds in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB), Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), COVID-19 Telehealth program and the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF).

Jun 07, 2023

Former FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) "the best mechanism we've had to date" for subsidizing low-income broadband. But he added that the current Congress is unlikely to pass funding for the ACP without changes to the program.According to O'Rielly, Congress will want to address waste, fraud, and abuse with the program, and likely limit its eligibility. By some estimates, up to 40% of Americans currently qualify for the program. "That's probably not suitable for policymakers that I talked to on Capitol Hill. It's just not in the cards," he said. it's unclear if there's support to fund the ACP again, with or without changes. Meanwhile, the program is projected to run out of funding sometime in 2024. How soon that date arrives depends in part on the success of new grant programs launched by the FCC to fund local government and non-profit efforts to boost enrollment in the ACP. While there are currently over 18.5 million households enrolled, according to the latest available data, that's a fraction of the estimated eligible households. Industry stakeholders generally see the effort to extend the ACP's reach as far as possible as a positive thing, despite the fact that it will force the program to end faster without congressional action.

Jun 07, 2023

One year after announcing the first awards under the American Rescue Plan Act's (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund (CPF) in 2022, the US Department of the Treasury has awarded approximately $6.7 billion for broadband, digital technology, and multi-purpose community center projects in 42 states, which those states estimate will reach more than 1.88 million businesses, homes and other locations. These ARPA dollars are working in tandem with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's (IIJA) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to close the digital divide as a part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda – deploying high-speed internet to those without access and lowering costs for those who cannot afford it. Already, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has delivered affordable high-speed internet to over 18 million American households. Read more here for a roundup of local coverage on how these investments are impacting communities across the country.

Jun 08, 2023

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) and the Michigan High Speed Internet Office kicked-off a statewide Michigan Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Act Now initiative to increase awareness of the ACP, a $14.2 billion federal broadband benefit funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), that will connect more Michiganders to the long-term benefit that helps lower-income families pay for high-speed internet. The Michigan ACP Act Now initiative will unite a broad coalition of partner cities, community-based organizations and trusted institutions in partnership with EducationSuperHighway, the national non-profit with a mission to close the broadband affordability gap. Organizations are encouraged to sign up to help spread awareness to Michigan residents. Through the ACP Act Now Initiative, EducationSuperHighway will support statewide awareness efforts by training community leaders and partner organizations and providing outreach materials and tools to help households enroll.

Jun 14, 2023

The Biden Administration announced that Civic Nation and the US Department of Education are launching Online For All, a digital equity campaign working to close the digital divide by focusing on internet access, affordability, and equity for students, families, and all Americans. Online For All will work with nonprofit, government, corporate, and media stakeholders to educate communities about how the Biden-Harris Internet for All Initiative can help them access reliable, affordable high-speed internet. The partnership is kicking off with a Week of Action to drive enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The Online for All Week of Action will bring together the federal government and over 300 organizations to raise awareness and help eligible families sign-up.

Jun 15, 2023

Today kicks off the Biden-Harris Administration’s Affordable Connectivity Program Week of Action. We have more than 300 organizations from across the country committed to raising awareness about ACP. The Internet is now the essential tool for communications in our modern world. It is essential for access to work. Access to education. Access to healthcare. Access to justice. And yet, here in America, millions of people across the country lack access to an affordable high-speed Internet connection or lack the means and the skills to use it. And the ACP is at the heart of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to make the dream of Internet for All a reality...But, our goal of closing the digital divide is at risk because ACP is at risk of running out of money. We cannot allow this program, which has widespread support, to fail. And now there is a new task in front of all of us: ensuring that ACP is on firm financial footing going forward.

Jun 14, 2023

The ACP program has added more than a million Americans since April.

Jun 16, 2023

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible households with a subsidy toward their internet bill. Looking at data can help us fill the gaps in ACP enrollment and push for its renewal in Congress. Several organizations have recognized this need and have created tools that enable us to make informed statements and decisions around ACP. Below is a review of these tools and some suggestions for the best tool for different uses:

Jun 20, 2023

Across the country, states are making critical decisions about how to leverage $80 billion in federal broadband infrastructure funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). With the right planning, these funds could ensure that high-speed internet service will finally reach every single home and business in the country, which has been one of Common Sense Media's top priorities for years. However, careful planning and community outreach are essential to using these funds effectively, as is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)—the most successful program the country has ever enacted to help struggling families afford high-speed internet. Here are five facts about the impact the ACP is having on families across the country:The benefit of the ACP also reaches well beyond eligible households. Our research found that connecting families has a significant positive impact on education, health care, government services, and even workforce development. When more households are connected to high-speed internet, outcomes can improve in each of these sectors. For example, when students remain unconnected, our research found an estimated loss of $33 billion dollars in GDP annually. By connecting students, the country could avoid this loss. To close the digital divide once and for all, we need to continue funding a robust ACP.

Jun 20, 2023

Oh, the internet — today so many people are online almost constantly. And yet so many people in the US still have a tenuous connection to the internet. But here is the good news. The United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry, along with a huge number of allies from the civil rights and public interest communities, successfully persuaded Congress to adopt a new program. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal program designed to help low-income households pay for broadband internet service. Since the adoption of a 1997 General Synod resolution, the United Church of Christ has formally recognized the need to ensure that our society does not become divided between those who are “information rich” and those who are “information poor,” leaving struggling people without the tools they need to succeed in today’s society. In 2023, we will vote again as a national denomination to commit ourselves to equitable and affordable high-quality access to communications for everyone.

Jun 21, 2023

Powered by a contribution from AT&T, the Public Library Association (PLA) has selected more than 200 public libraries across 45 states to host digital literacy and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) workshops. The PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentives, supported by AT&T support public libraries in their work improving digital skills and promoting broadband adoption among families and communities. The workshops leverage the online digital literacy courses, created by PLA in collaboration with AT&T, that are freely available to anyone through DigitalLearn.org and AT&T ScreenReady. DigitalLearn.org online courses and training materials were developed with and for library staff and their patrons. This second cohort is part of an expanded national initiative and collaboration between PLA and AT&T. In 2022, 160 libraries were selected to be part of the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T.The initial group of libraries held more than 1,500 workshops which helped over 8,000 learners build skills and confidence using technology. This new cohort will increase the number of learners libraries can continue to reach. Workshops, available in English and Spanish, will be offered on 8 digital literacy topics, as well as how to apply and use the ACP benefit. Courses cover basic technology skills which include topics such as internet use, video conferencing, cybersecurity, and mobile device basics and ACP basics.

Jun 21, 2023

Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) announced a statewide initiative to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a long-term benefit to help eligible households pay for high-speed internet. Over 348,596 Utah households are eligible for the ACP, while only 16% of those eligible have enrolled. The “ACP Act Now: Utah” initiative unites a broad coalition of 53 partner cities, community-based organizations, and trusted institutions in partnership with EducationSuperHighway, the national nonprofit with a mission to close the broadband affordability gap. The coalition of partners will have access to resources to help them overcome the complex awareness, trust, and enrollment barriers that prevent households in the nation’s most under-resourced communities from enrolling. Resources include email marketing templates, social media content, and a pre-enrollment tool, GetACP.org/Utah. Local community leaders can use these resources to promote the ACP and help eligible families enroll. Six local organizations/entities have been awarded grant funds to conduct ACP outreach.

Jun 22, 2023

In 2021, US lawmakers created a $14.2 billion fund to help low-income families across America pay for internet service they would otherwise struggle to afford. Since then, nearly 19 million households have come to rely on the subsidy — which provides $30 or more in monthly bill aid, helping to narrow the long-standing digital divide that has placed low-income families at a disadvantage for everything from educational services to employment opportunities. Broadband providers, including Comcast and Charter, have come to count on the program as a fresh source of income at a time when their customer growth rates are slowing. But the program is on track to be exhausted by early 2024. The top six internet service providers participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) have raked in more than $2 billion since its inception, according to data from the Federal Communications Commission. Charter is the biggest beneficiary, receiving $910 million from early 2022 through the end of February 2023, implying it’s cleared more than $1 billion by now. Verizon’s wireless unit TracFone took in $250 million from the program, and Comcast and mobile company T-Mobile US. each collected more than $200 million, according to the FCC. In addition to the government subsidies, the internet service providers also get revenue from the households that sign up for additional services, suggesting that the total benefit from the ACP is much higher.

Jun 23, 2023

The [Federal Communications Commission] exercises tremendous power not only over the media, but also over consumers’ pocketbooks. Through the Universal Service Fund (USF) the agency has imposed burdensome taxes on American consumers to fund inefficient, ever-expanding programs. Nominees must be good stewards of funding and stand up for taxpayers’ interests. Despite being repeatedly excoriated by the [Government Accountability Office] and economists for failing to track where USF money was going, the current FCC leadership failed to learn from past mistakes in setting up the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).According to the FCC’s own Inspector General, the FCC “did not apply lessons learned” and “failed to implement several important recommendations intended to enhance and safeguard the integrity of the [subsidies].” Proponents for Title II have refused to take accountability for the parade of horribles they manufactured in the lead-up to the Restoring Internet Freedom Order. Rather than articulating meaningful reasons for another policy reversal, they claim they simply want regulatory oversight—in other words, the power to micromanage providers’ pricing and terms of service, and collect billions in new USF taxes—all at the expense of investment, innovation, and consumer choice. Let’s call a spade a spade: any effort to outlaw usage-based pricing is straight-up rate regulation. Worse, bullying providers to ban usage-based pricing would force them to raise prices across the board, making broadband more expensive for all American households.

Jun 26, 2023

A partnership between Common Sense Media, Arizona State University (ASU), and the Digital Equity Institute is working to increase awareness of and enroll eligible households in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Through a multipoint marketing campaign targeted to low-income communities with high eligibility for the federal broadband subsidy program, Common Sense Media is directing Phoenix residents toward the ASU Experience Center, a call center with more than 100 phone specialists. Here, trained employees walk Phoenicians through the ACP application process. With the Digital Equity Institute, ASU is working to bring a team of digital navigators to the Experience Center and build off of the partnership with Common Sense Media. With additional funding from Maricopa County, ASU’s Experience Center continues to expand its capabilities to make a range of digital equity resources available to callers. This work could not be done without combining national resources and community knowledge. Local organizations and preexisting digital navigators ground the work in community knowledge and connections, while the policy expertise and resources provided by Common Sense Media help to expand reach. ASU’s Experience Center has the infrastructure and people to run the campaign’s programming end, building off of other efforts to help ensure that everyone is online.

Jun 27, 2023

President Joe Biden likened the importance of internet access to that of public utilities like “electricity or water.” “But, but, but, but,” President Biden added, “It’s not enough to have access. You need affordability in addition to access.” Biden’s remarks nodded to a key affordability initiative that could soon run out of funds — a looming battle that could shape the outcome of his plans to bring “internet for all.” The president highlighted the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). President Biden said the program, another part of the infrastructure law, offers savings that “matter in homes like the one I grew up in,” where consumers may have to decide between paying for groceries and other necessities or keeping their high-speed internet connection. The White House has spotlighted the program, as federal regulators warn that it could soon run out of money. Allies of Biden’s broadband efforts are rallying around the White House push. Advocacy group Free Press has launched a petition calling on Congress to renew the funds. Some Republicans have expressed support for extending the program but floated narrowing its eligibility, while others have raised concerns about the Federal Communications Commission's management.

Jun 27, 2023

Households in rural America are overcoming significant headwinds as they sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit at a higher rate than urban counterparts. Through April 2023, ACP enrollment data shows that: 15% of all rural households have enrolled in ACP and 14% of households in metro or urban areas have enrolled in the benefit. Even this modest difference is striking given the tensions that buffet rural residents as they consider enrolling in ACP. On the one hand, rural areas have characteristics that improve ACP enrollment according to the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society’s Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Performance Tool .Nearly half (49%) of rural households qualify for ACP compared with 40% of non-rural ones. This gap is largely because there are more lower income households in rural parts of the country. Some 36% of rural households have annual incomes at or below 200% of the Federal poverty level (FPL) in contrast to the 28% figure for households in non-rural areas. There is a positive correlation between areas with a large share of eligible households and ACP enrollment.

Jun 28, 2023

Spectrum announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 300 homes and small businesses in Newberry County, South Carolina. Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout in Newberry County is part of the company’s approximately $5 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)-related investment in unserved rural communities, which includes $1 billion won in the Federal Communications Commission’s RDOF auction. The company’s RDOF expansion will provide broadband access to approximately 1 million customer locations as estimated by the FCC across 24 states in the coming years. Spectrum Internet delivers speeds up to 1 Gbps and Advanced Wi-Fi for both residential customers and small business clients, featuring starting speeds of 300 Mbps, with no modem fees, data caps or contracts. Spectrum Business Internet offers its clients plans with starting download speeds of 300 Mbps, with 600 Mbps and 1 Gbps options. Spectrum is also was a participant in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Jun 29, 2023

Hartford (VT) residents at long last have a new internet provider in town, ECFiber. It is Vermont’s first Communications Union District, a community-driven telecommunications operation. ECFiber already has 8,000 residential and business customers on over 1,500 miles of network around Vermont’s Upper Valley. The company will continue the build-out this summer by giving new rural customers broadband service to houses in member towns. Officials said they expect over 18,000 customers on the network. However, there is still more work to be done. Eight more towns were added to the district in 2020 – bringing the total to 31 communities spread over four counties. The work to get everyone connected is expected to take until the end of 2025. The organization is also subsidizing internet for low-income neighbors through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Jun 29, 2023

Maine became one of the first states to share a draft broadband action plan and companion Digital Equity Plan. The plan highlights the complex challenges faced by Maine residents who lack internet access, including limited opportunities for remote work, education, and healthcare, emphasizing the importance of bridging the digital divide to ensure that all residents can participate in the digital economy. Strategies and initiatives are organized into four categories: (1) Access and adoption; (2) Innovation and investment; (3) Digital literacy and skills, and; (4) Accountability and transparency. The state plan pays particular attention to tackling the broadband affordability gap, which makes up two-thirds of America’s digital divide. Additionally, Maine’s plans emphasize the importance of partnerships and collaboration with organizations like EducationSuperHighway, which have recently partnered with the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) on the ACP4ME campaign – a new statewide initiative to increase awareness and enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Finally, Maine has also recognized the importance of bridging the 20-25% of the digital divide that is concentrated in affordable multi-dwelling units (MDUs). Their Affordable Housing Connectivity Program includes digital skill training, affordable devices, technical support, and internet safety education. It also seeks to leverage improvements in Wi-Fi technology that have made it possible to connect units in these buildings to reliable broadband service by deploying Wi-Fi access points throughout the property and then connecting the building network to a fiber connection.

Jun 20, 2023

Providers are using revenues from the ACP to bankroll broadband buildouts.

Jun 30, 2023

In 1958, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe purchased a telephone company, becoming the first network of its kind in the US. Since then, eight other Tribes have purchased telecommunications companies. With unprecedented funding for broadband and the migration of financial, health, educational, and employment services online, more Tribes are leading efforts for better broadband in their communities. Trusted community messengers are essential to helping drive enrollment. Although the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers a $75 a month discount on Tribal lands, researchers with the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society found that lack of awareness is the main reason eligible households don’t enroll. In Native households, Tribes have a proven track record of building support for federal programs through a community-centered approach. Still, 33% of reservation residents do not have broadband service at home and must rely on their smartphone for Internet, with 18% have no Internet connectivity at all. More funding than ever is available for connecting residents on Tribal lands, including through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). To date, NTIA has awarded almost $2 billion in funding to over 166 projects across the US, with $1 billion in TBCP left to distribute. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed the TBCP and found that while NTIA targets connecting 200,000 with reliable, affordable broadband, the agency has not defined reliable or affordable. Clear and quantifiable data could help applicants and federal policymakers alike assess progress and address broadband gaps that remain after funding runs out. 

Jun 30, 2023

As many have experienced, either personally or through a friend or loved one, the pandemic has taken a toll on people’s mental health. Since 2020, individuals and youth have experienced an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression across the United States and worldwide. Youth have been especially impacted as the rates of suicide increased significantly just months into the pandemic, particularly for non-hispanic American Indian or Alaskan Native and non-Hispanic Black youth, while overall suicide rates increased four percent from 2020 to 2021. In turn, the need for mental health services has increased exponentially. The pandemic also created additional barriers to receiving services due to the dangers of in-person close proximity contamination. Using telehealth residents can meet with a licensed mental health professional online and access access essential medications. In fact, since 2021, telehealth services now make up almost half of in total visits for behavioral health, giving individuals mental health supports from the safety of home. The Federal Communications Commission, the agency responsible for rolling out the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), has emphasized the connection between broadband access and mental health. ACP has helped introduced broadband in low-income households for the first time and ensures that others can stay connected. Without continued funding for the program, individuals and families are not only in jeopardy of losing reliable Internet access, they risk losing a vital connection to mental health care, which can have a devastating impact.

Jun 30, 2023

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a critical component of the nationwide effort to bridge the digital divide. Established on a bipartisan basis by Congress, the ACP provides subsidies that enable low-income households to get – and stay connected – with monthly broadband subscriptions. Despite its success in reaching over 35% of eligible households, the ACP faces a funding shortfall by 2024. Inadequate funding could not only jeopardize progress toward universal service goals but could also undermine the success of other federal broadband access initiatives that rely on the ACP to fill in adoption gaps. Federal, state, and local resources are critical for supporting outreach programs and building public awareness. Still, even in areas where funding has been scarce or nonexistent, local leaders are working to build capacity and digital equity ecosystems. Cuyahoga County, located in northeastern Ohio along Lake Erie, is home to the city of Cleveland and its surrounding suburbs. Community leaders have recognized the importance of closing the digital divide and made it a key priority. Approximately 1 in 8.5 households in Cuyahoga County still need an in-home internet connection. ACP is a critical component of digital equity efforts in Cuyahoga County, providing low-cost or no-cost home internet to eligible households. Leveraging existing public and private sector partnerships, the County developed a targeted outreach campaign that focuses on 13 zip codes chosen based on current ACP enrollment figures and the percentage of disconnected households. Additionally, the County will use in-person events supported by the Greater Cleveland Digital Navigators to build public awareness. Direct mail, strategic advertising, and the valuable support of digital navigators are key elements of a campaign that will connect hundreds of thousands of low-income residents with the digital resources they need.

Jun 30, 2023

On June 14, 2023, the White House kicked off a “week of action” devoted to raising awareness and enrollment for the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”). Nationally, only 18.7 million of the eligible 52 million households (35.8%) are enrolled in the program. This is a truly outstanding achievement for a program that is only a year and a half old. Though there are countless examples of how beneficial the ACP is for communities nationwide, there is a danger the ACP may not last much longer. Current estimates predict that ACP funding will be depleted by the second quarter of 2024. In order to fund the program for the next five years, some suggest that the ACP will need an additional $30 to $35 billion. While the program was passed with bipartisan support, there are concerns from some lawmakers about how the program has targeted new adopters versus existing broadband subscribers. This complicates extending funding as certain policymakers are likely to demand programmatic changes before agreeing to approve new ACP dollars. The ACP has been and continues to be a vital resource for millions of Americans nationwide. Without continued funding, millions of low-income consumers who rely on the program will not be able to maintain monthly subscriptions. Reaching the Federal Communications Commissions', White House’s, and Congress’ goals to close the digital divide depends on a fully funded ACP.

Jul 06, 2023

T-Mobile’s prepaid brand Metro is conducting a regional marketing campaign in the Midwest, pitching T-Mobile’s fixed wireless access (FWA) product called Home Internet. The promotion advertises the product for a cost of $20 per month, after a $30 per month Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) discount. Typically, T-Mobile’s Home Internet costs $50 per month if the customer signs up for autopay. It costs $55 per month without autopay. But Metro by T-Mobile is focusing on the $30 discount that subscribers can obtain if they apply for ACP. Metro is advertising the resultant cost of $20 per month for subscribers who get the ACP discount and also sign up for autopay. Wave7 Research principal Jeff Moore said the advertising in the Midwest is taking place in Indianapolis, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Knoxville. Metro is using billboards, radio ads, and “guerrilla marketing” tactics, including signage in a pizza chain and flyers stuffed in bags of food. According to Moore, there have been 1,200 airings of a radio ad about the promotion since June 5, 2023. Moore said the effort is likely to go national at some point.

Jun 22, 2023

The ACP has connected millions of families and communities to high-speed internet, and it needs to be extended.

Jul 07, 2023

Across North Carolina, 25,825 households and 862 businesses in 33 counties will get high-speed internet thanks to nearly $80 million in additional Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants, Governor Roy Cooper (D-NC) announced. These latest grant awards add to the more than $269 million total awarded in 2022 to connect 117,405 households and businesses. As part of the federally-funded GREAT grant eligibility requirements, all internet service provider applicants must participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The North Carolina Department of Information Technology has now awarded all of the $350 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding available for the GREAT grant program. For this round of funding, the Division of Broadband and Digital Equity reviewed a total of 104 eligible applications in 58 counties. Grants are being awarded to the highest-scoring internet provider that applied in each county based on the number of households and businesses they propose to serve, the average cost to serve those locations, and the speeds offered, among other criteria required by law.

Jul 09, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) extended, for an additional year, the waiver pausing both the phase-out of Lifeline support for voice-only services and the increase in Lifeline minimum service standards for mobile broadband data capacity. Without this decision, support for services that meet only the voice minimum service standard, which currently stands at $5.25 per month, would be eliminated in most areas on December 1, 2023. Additionally, the minimum service standard for mobile broadband data capacity would rise from 4.5 GB to 20 GB per month beginning December 1, 2023. The bureau found good cause to extend this pause for an additional year to understand the impact of theAffordable Connectivity Program on Lifeline subscribers’ use of their Lifeline benefit. Additionally, this pause will give the FCC the opportunity to fully consider the results of the inaugural ACP transparency data collection and the recommendations presented in the Future of USF Report. This pause will extend until December 1, 2024.

Jul 10, 2023

Discussions about funding for social programs are too often framed along predictable partisan lines. However, the reality on the ground is frequently more complex, and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is no exception. A simple look at the data reveals that the program supports connectivity for families in both red and blue communities, and that Republicans stand to lose as much as Democrats if the program is not renewed when the funds ran out sometime in 2024. Of the approximately 17.1 million households that received ACP support as of April 2023 (the latest disaggregated data available), about 8.4 million lived in Republican districts while 8.7 million lived in Democrat districts. In other words, the partisan split based on area of residence (49% in Republican districts and 51% in Democrat districts) indicates that House members from both parties represent almost equal numbers of ACP recipients. Results show ACP participation is only slightly higher in Democrat (31.8% of eligible households) than in Republican districts (29.7%). Even when adjusting for congressional district population, the difference remains small. Of course we don’t know the exact voting preferences of ACP households in each district, but what the aggregate data shows is that House members on both sides of the aisle are equally likely to face voter backlash if the program is not renewed.

Jul 06, 2023

Millions of users have already signed up for the Twitter alternative.

Jul 18, 2023

“Updated data!” is a phrase that fills the hearts of data nerds everywhere and we’re here to help with an update to our Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Performance Tool. The data for the first version of the ACP Tool was current through January 2023, but we’ve fielded questions recently asking about updates. We now release an updated ACP Enrollment Performance Tool with data that runs through April 2023. We also have some new features aimed at improving the tool’s usefulness to analysts who care about the Affordable Connectivity Program. And, drumroll please, we are pleased to announce that we are now sharing the ACP Tool’s data—for free. Anyone can download a .csv file that includes data for the more than 25,000 zip codes included in the tool. The file contains, for each of the 25,000+ zip codes, the data elements that appear when a user searches on a specific zip code. There is also a “state code” field for users interested in aggregating tool data at the state level. The goal of the ACP Enrollment Performance Tool is to give stakeholders a way to better understand how ACP enrollment is unfolding—in specific neighborhoods, towns, or states. Sharing the tool’s data will, we hope, make the tool more useful to stakeholders and policymakers.On Wednesday, July 19, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Senior Fellow John Horrigan and Civic Nation's Elena Saltzman will participate in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Performance Tool updates and how to best focus ACP outreach and enrollment efforts in your community. Please submit your questions here and RSVP for the webinar here.

Jun 29, 2023

Largest beneficiaries of ACP do not participate financially in federal programs designed to promote broadband adoption.

Jul 18, 2023

On July 18, the Federal Communications Commission adopted an order amending Section 8.1(a)(1) of the FCC's rules to update the template for the recently adopted broadband consumer label. The revised label template reflects a new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) application landing page, now available here. This action does not modify or otherwise change any entity’s underlying responsibilities under the Broadband Label Order. The FCC also makes clear that, should a provider be required to display a Spanish version of the label, it must include the Spanish-language landing page for the ACP. This change simply ensures the label contains accurate information; it does not involve any policy change.

Jul 20, 2023

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced changes to her leadership team, as well as the addition of a new Legal Advisor. Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced the departure of Umair Javed from her team and the agency more broadly. Effective as of July 20th, 2023, Priscilla Delgado-Argeris will serve as Chief Counsel, Ramesh Nagarajan will assume the role of Chief Legal Advisor, and Rashann Duvall will join the Chairwoman’s team as Acting Legal Advisor on the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and other wireline issues. Priscilla will now serve as Chief Counsel, transitioning from her role as Chief Legal Advisor. She joined the Chairwoman’s office from Meta Platforms, Inc. where she has focused on spectrum policy issues for the company across the globe. Ramesh will now serve as Chief Legal Advisor within the Office of the Chairwoman. Prior to his role as Legal Advisor on Wireline and Enforcement issues, he served in the Wireline Competition Bureau, where he was most recently Deputy Division Chief of the Competition Policy Division. Rashann will advise the Chairwoman on the ACP and other wireline issues, including universal service. She joins the office from the Wireline Competition Bureau, where she most recently served as an Assistant Division Chief in the Telecommunications Access Policy Division.

Jul 20, 2023

At the July 16-19, 2023 summit of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the organization passed a resolution supporting permanent funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). In its resolution, NARUC acknowledged that there were $8.6 billion of remaining ACP appropriations available for disbursement as of June 2023 and that the program is expected to run out of funding by the second quarter of 2024. "The lack of a permanent low-income broadband assistance program with government oversight is troubling because universal high-speed internet access is essential for a well-functioning economy," said NARUC. "Should the ACP expire without establishing a permanent fund, broadband customers who have relied on ACP to help pay their bills will suffer without this assistance." NARUC urged Congress to provide permanent annual funding for a federal Low-Income Affordable Connectivity Program. Additionally, the organization passed a separate resolution proclaiming the first full week in September after Labor Day as National Telephone Discount Lifeline Awareness Week.

Jul 21, 2023

As an end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) funding looms, a congressional briefing was held to discuss what an end to the program could mean and its importance for achieving digital equity. Estimates from the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation predict that ACP funding will run out in 2024 if action is not taken to re-fund the program. If it does, many people will no longer be able to afford the Internet service they likely have come to rely on. Doug McCollough, Chief Information Officer for the city of Dublin (OH) underlined that while there are aspects of the program that could be improved upon, its impact cannot be ignored. The ACP allows governments to pursue other grant opportunities that supplement this program, funding which would not be obtainable in the program’s absence, he said. Further, McCollough explained that the program depends on building trust and credibility with constituents participating in it. The populations who could benefit most from a federal subsidy program like this may initially be suspicious of government programs, and as such, government agencies have worked diligently with trusted community organizations to increase awareness and enrollment. Trust building has been one of the slower pieces of enacting the program, but it is one in which agencies have invested significant time and energy. Agencies and organizations that have been encouraging households to enroll will put their credibility on the line, he said. Some challenges with the program that were brought up during the event included the limited capacity of small Internet service providers in meeting the federal reporting requirements, as well as the risk of fraudulent actors sharing misleading ACP enrollment information. However, all the speakers agreed that it is currently a critical piece of serving some of their most vulnerable constituents.

Jul 21, 2023

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society hosted an "Ask Me Anything" webinar on our Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Enrollment Performance Tool. During the webinar, Revati Prasad, Benton Institute Director of Research and Fellowships, John Horrigan, Benton Senior Fellow and developer of the ACP Tool, and Elena Saltzman, Civic Nation's Director of Campaigns, talked about program performance, how to best focus ACP outreach and enrollment efforts, and fielded questions by those in the virtual room. Essentially, the tool is a resource for any community that wants to answer the question: “How are ACP sign-ups going?” In case you missed it, here are the highlights of the event.

Jul 27, 2023

Congressional briefings are used to communicate information to policymakers in Washington, DC. Oftentimes, they highlight stakeholder views on government programs and proposals. However, they rarely include local officials who can provide community-based insights. On July 19, 2023, Next Century Cities invited broadband leaders from Texas, Ohio, Maryland, and Massachusetts to Washington, DC. Speakers shared community impact stories and administrative needs for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Key takeaways include the following: 

Jul 28, 2023

State and federal programs have improved the availability of high-speed internet, but cost remains the primary barrier to broadband adoption for low-income households. To address this, the federal government has created consumer subsidies, such as those included in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), to ease cost burdens. Research indicates that simplifying enrollment, working closely with community partners, and implementing a single, national policy focused on increasing access all can help boost participation. Researchers examined three approaches to subsidies: consumer subsidy programs, public benefit obligations, and public procurement programs. The results show that robust enrollment campaigns, community-first partnerships, and meaningful participation from internet service providers (ISPs) are essential components of successful programs.

Aug 01, 2023

We write to express our strong support for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and to urge Congress to allocate additional funding to this crucial initiative. By investing in the FCC’s ACP, we can address the existing digital disparities faced by people with disabilities and promote a more inclusive and equitable society. As the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, we appreciate your leadership in ensuring that the ACP continues to close the digital divide for people with disabilities and millions of eligible households across our nation. Access to affordable and robust broadband connectivity is a fundamental necessity in our increasingly digital world. Unfortunately, many people with disabilities face significant barriers when it comes to accessing affordable broadband services. Broadband is no longer just a convenience; it is a vital tool that enables individuals to access educational resources, healthcare services, employment and job opportunities, as well as civic, community, and social engagement. As you are acutely aware, while the ACP has made great strides in making broadband services more affordable to low-income households, not only must the progress we have made be sustained, much more outreach and household inclusion remains to be done. If the Program funding were to lapse, millions of households would be left behind and these government-supported outreach efforts will have been for nought. By providing additional funding to this program, Congress can maintain its commitment to the more than 19 million households already served by the ACP and expand the reach of the program to the projected 51.6 million eligible households across our nation.

Aug 01, 2023

Open access network operator Underline is launching what Founder and CEO Bob Thompson calls the “most generous” Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offering in the US. Multiple broadband providers have what Thompson calls “net zero” ACP offerings that have a price tag of $30, enabling qualifying households to get free service when the ACP benefit is applied. But, as he noted, these offerings typically provide relatively low speeds in comparison with the providers’ other services. That won’t be true for Underline, though. “Unlike with the bigger companies, a poor family gets no less speed and performance than a paying family gets,” Thompson said. The Underline “net zero” offering will provide 500 Mbps symmetrical service and is the same as an Underline offering that costs $49 for non-ACP households. In addition, ACP customers will have the option of purchasing gigabit symmetrical service for $35 a month after the ACP benefit is applied. That service costs $65 for non-ACP households. Thompson hopes that Underline’s move will put pressure on other providers to enhance their ACP low-income broadband services. “Behavior won’t change until it’s in [other providers’] interest to change or they are forced by the competitive process,” Thompson said. “We challenge the industry to step up and do the right thing.”

Aug 02, 2023

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced plans to expand the city’s Big Apple Connect program — offering free broadband and basic cable to an additional 17 public housing developments in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx. The Big Apple Connect program, which Mayor Adams launched September 2022, had enrolled 100,000 households by last March 2023, with a 75% adoption rate across eligible housing developments. Now in its third phase, the program is available to more than 330,000 people in 150,000 households at a total 220 public housing developments. As a municipal broadband program, the Big Apple Connect program complements the Federal Communication Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), said a city spokesperson.

Aug 02, 2023

There is a rising tide of support for Congress to provide permanent funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) — a program that currently ensures that over 19.5 million low-income families can purchase broadband service, which is critical for accessing job, education, and health information and is an absolute necessity to participate in today’s economy and society. The ACP is expected to exhaust its funding in the first half of 2024, and without action before the end of 2023, we can expect that the Federal Communications Commission and the program’s stakeholders will begin the process of winding down the program. Recognizing that families will likely disconnect their service, or face unaffordable price increases, a significant number of policy leaders and other stakeholders are urging Congress to act to shore up the program. ACP subscribers and the broadband providers that serve them need certainty, and they need it fast. As the FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel discussed, the agency and the providers will need to begin making plans for winding down the program in the coming months in order to provide adequate notice to subscribers of upcoming changes. All of this can be avoided with clear and precise action from Congress to renew ACP funding. Congress should take this opportunity to listen to the tremendous support from all stakeholders including industry, trade groups, public interest organizations, and the federal and state governments that are all calling on Congress to refund this vital program. Refunding the ACP must be a top priority of Congress when it returns from August 2023 recess.

Aug 02, 2023

The Chairs of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus wrote to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to urge quick action to replenish one of the Biden-Harris Administration’s signature initiatives – the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)—created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Biden-Harris Administration has consistently led on internet access and affordability issues and has done more to close the digital divide than its predecessors. We urge you to support replenishing ACP funding to sustain and build on this important building block to help us overcome the digital divide.

Aug 02, 2023

It is critical that we address a pending issue that could negatively affect our efforts toward eliminating the digital divide. Funding for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program will expire in the summer of 2024 unless it is reauthorized. Granting access to high-speed internet without addressing affordability will prevent hundreds of thousands of Louisianians from maximizing the effects of this service on their lives. Thus, reauthorization of ACP funding is a crucial step toward eliminating the digital divide. We strongly encourage you to support this worthwhile goal. In every parish in the state, Louisianians have already felt the positive effects of this program. More than 479,000 households, as of July 25, have received immediate relief from the ACP. About 52% of eligible recipients in Louisiana receiving benefits, while exceeding the national average of 37%.

Aug 02, 2023

Fiber network provider Underline Infrastructure launched its Opportunity Program to provide low-cost, high-tier internet service for households that qualify for the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). “If a family qualifies for the ACP—and we're honored to serve them—we will serve up no less of a performance or a service tier than what a 'paying family' would receive,” Thompson said. “The reality is, when you hand a poor family a new bill of any note, that new bill typically provokes a decision on whether they take on that new bill and cancel mom or dad's cell phone, or whether they can't take on that new bill in order to preserve mom or dad's capacity to have a cell phone and can participate in the employment economy.” In light of that “Faustian choice,” as Thompson called it, ACP-qualifying families that select the starting tier of service of symmetric 500 Mbps will not be charged on top of the $30 that the federal government reimburses. This compares to Comcast’s offerings for ACP-eligible households: speeds “up to 50Mbps” and speeds “up to 100 Mbps.” And Underline claims its offerings are 10-20 times faster on a full fiber connection. “Large incumbents have historically either neglected to build into poorer neighborhoods or poor demographics, or if they have built into those poor neighborhoods, they serve up very poor service, and that creates an additional barrier to kids in those demographics, being able to achieve in an educational context,” Thompson said. He said big incumbents like Comcast are “somewhat famous” for advertising programs that are similar to Underline’s Opportunity Program, but often their programs don’t reach the same outcome. “They offer a ‘special’ service to those families, by which that means 50/10. Or they'll bill it as 100/20 to try to satisfy the regulators, but they'll throttle the performance. So once again, a poorer family gets something that's worse than the people six blocks over,” Thompson said.

Aug 03, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission adopted an order to provide an up-to-$75 monthly broadband benefit for subscribers living in qualifying high-cost areas through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), as directed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Infrastructure Act specified that the $75 monthly benefit would support providers that can demonstrate that the standard $30 monthly benefit would cause them to experience “particularized economic hardship” such that they would be unable to maintain part or all of their broadband network in a high-cost area. Congress separately directed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in consultation with the Commission, to identify the high-cost areas that would be eligible for the enhanced ACP high-cost area benefit. The Report and Order is expected to incentivize providers to participate in the ACP or remain in the ACP in rural and insular areas, further narrowing the digital divide. The high-cost area benefit supports other federal initiatives, including those in the Infrastructure Act, to spur deployment and adoption in rural areas by strengthening the business case for providers to deploy broadband in rural and insular areas. The order:

Aug 04, 2023

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) exists to help Americans of all stripes get and stay connected to America’s Excellent Internet. But for millions around the country, Internet access and a device alone aren’t enough to close the digital divide. Digital skills and tech support services offered through a trusted community organization is critical to solving this puzzle—just ask US Army veteran Bobby Jenks. After leaving the service as a decorated peacetime soldier, Bobby worked as a truck driver for 20 years until an accident left him unable to continue his trucking career. This major life shift might have rattled some people, but not Bobby. He chose to return to school, pursuing an online degree in criminal justice and human services from Colorado Technical University.Just one problem: Bobby didn’t have home broadband and attempted to start his academic journey on his cell phone. “Needless to say, it was very difficult for me to properly access my coursework or even do research or work on my assignments,” said Bobby.Not only did the digital navigator help Bobby get connected to the internet through ACP, but they equipped him with the tools to truly take advantage of home broadband. They set up his home Wi-Fi and showed him how to use his computer and take advantage of online tools including accessing his school’s website. The great thing about Bobby’s story is that it’s not unique! Computer Reach’s community-based digital navigator and inclusion programs have helped many other Pennsylvanians get and stay online, enabling them to work, study, and LIVE in the 21st century.

Aug 08, 2023

In January 2023, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report which makes nine recommendations to assist the Federal Communications Commissionenhance the Affordable Connectivity Program’s (ACP) performance goals and measures, language translation process, consumer outreach plan, and various processes for managing fraud risk. The FCChas undertaken an aggressive and robust corrective plan to address and resolve each of GAO’s nine recommendations. In less than six months since the Report’s release, corrective action tasks addressing five recommendations have been implemented, and FCCstaff continue efforts to obtain close-out approval from GAO on each. Actions completed include development of new policies and procedures on fraud risk management, development of an anti-fraud strategy aligned with GAO’s best practices, establishment of a governance body for fraud risk management, and strengthened internal controls to prevent ACP duplicate identification and prevention, subscriber identity verification, and subscriber address validation. Ongoing efforts continue to resolve GAO’s recommendationto ensure that ACP performance goals and measures align with key attributes of effective performance goals and measures, which include surveys, metrics, and outreach efforts to track ACP progress in reducing the digital divide, increasing program participation, and measure application difficulty. In addition, a multi-faceted translation plan designed to promote the ACP in 12 languages is underway. Innovative outreach efforts continue to make progress in educating consumers about ACP that aligns with leading practices for consumer outreach planning. Finally, analytic efforts continue to progress with the objective of improving the ACP’s fraud risk management design.

Aug 03, 2023

The benefit would go beyond tribes to other high cost locations.

Aug 08, 2023

FCC seeking comments to facilitate better broadband connectivity in tribal communities.

Aug 11, 2023

On November 15, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order establishing the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Transparency Data Collection to collect information related to the price, subscription rates, and plan characteristics of the internet service offerings of participating providers, as required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In the Report and Order, the FCCdirected its Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) to establish a compliance date, or data submission deadline, which could be no sooner than ninety days after the FCC announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has completed its review required under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The Report and Order also directed the Bureau to announce a “snapshot” date for the data collection. Now the Bureau announces that OMB completed its PRA review on August 11, 2023. The Bureau establishes a compliance date, or data submission deadline, for the collection of November 9, 2023, based on a reference or snapshot date of August 1, 2023. ACP providers must submit data through the ACP Data Collection System hosted by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Providers can begin submitting data on September 8, 2023.

Aug 11, 2023

The basic tenet of universal internet service—that the government should assist those who cannot afford basic access to the network—has long been a cornerstone of American telecommunications policy. Unfortunately, it is far from clear whether Lifeline, the federal program tasked with getting low-income households online, actually addresses this problem. The recently enacted Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) threatens to compound Lifeline’s errors. The advent of ACP provides a unique opportunity to rethink our approach to broadband affordability initiatives. Rather than replicating a faulty subsidy model originally developed during the Reagan administration for landline telephones, Congress should adopt a tailored, data-driven program targeting only those low-income households that currently lack broadband service or that are at significant risk of losing access absent a subsidy. With a targeted, market-based approach in place, Congress should shutter the largely duplicative and potentially ineffective Lifeline program and alleviate the pressure that it puts on the Universal Service Fund (USF) and consumers.[January 2023]

Aug 15, 2023

More than 20 million households have enrolled in the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), the nation’s largest broadband affordability program. Thanks to funding support in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, millions of families who previously could not get online or struggled to pay for this modern-day necessity are now connected. “For a long time, closing the digital divide focused on one part of the equation—the lack of physical infrastructure to get online. But we know that for many people, even when there was technically access, the cost to get online was too high. Thanks to investments from Congress, we have new tools to tackle both challenges, including the Affordable Connectivity Program that is helping struggling families to get or stay online to pay for this modern-day necessity," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

Aug 14, 2023

In the third decade of the 21st century, getting online is no longer optional, and providing financial assistance to US households that can’t afford broadband should be as much a given as food stamps. More broadly, from a macro perspective, high rates of broadband use benefit society and the economy; and from a micro perspective, those least likely to be online are those who would in many ways benefit most from it. In both cases, broadband policy should prioritize connecting remaining offline households in order to achieve universal connectivity. High broadband connectivity rates are positively linked to factors such as GDP growth and stability. They enable jobs, promote resiliency in the face of disasters, and support the massive and growing digital economy. Huge online marketplaces of every stripe are subject to network effects: They become more valuable to every user the more users there are. For all these reasons, increasing connectivity rates is broadly beneficial. Broadband enables cheaper, more convenient access to critical resources such as health care and government programs, so people with the fewest resources are often the ones who stand to benefit the most from being connected. From every angle, getting offline groups online—and aiming for as close to universal connectivity rates as possible—should be a policy priority. Doing so requires both completing deployment and increasing adoption rates. Congress and the Biden Administration should sustain funding for subsidy programs such as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), build economic impact analyses into them, and survey households that remain offline.

Aug 15, 2023

More than 20 million US households are now receiving discounts on internet service as part of Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program. The program has continued to gain more than half a million new households a month since February 2023. Despite the program’s bipartisan popularity and its rapid uptake by consumers, the new enrollment figures still only represent about 40% of the estimated 50 million households in the United States that may be eligible for assistance through the ACP, according to research by the consumer advocacy group Common Sense Media. And the ACP’s future is uncertain: Once the program runs out of the $14 billion that Congress initially allocated for it, millions of low-income Americans could lose their monthly discounts. The more households that sign up, the faster the program will exhaust its funding. Policy analysts widely anticipate the ACP running out of money in 2024, setting up pressure on Congress to extend the program.

Aug 15, 2023

Ting Internet's (a division of Tucows) 2-gigabit fiber internet is now available in initial Colorado Springs (CO) neighborhoods. Customers in Colorado Springs will now be able to sign up for Ting's 2-gigabit fiber internet for $89 per month, providing both download and upload speeds of 2,000 megabits per second (Mbps). Ting will also offer 2-gigabit symmetrical internet to all Colorado Springs residents who qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) at no cost to them. While currently only available in select markets, in time, Ting expects to roll out the 2-gigabit ACP offering to its markets across the country, making a tangible difference in bridging the digital divide by providing thousands of residents with access to fast, reliable internet at no cost. Ting's fiber internet is currently available in northeast neighborhoods and is steadily expanding across all of Colorado Springs, with full municipal access expected by the end of 2028.

Aug 16, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program has the potential to be a socioeconomic equalizer that helps close the gap between those Americans with access to broadband and those without. So far, the ACP has proven remarkably effective at making that happen. Despite only existing for over a year and a half, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) calculates that nearly 20 million people have already enrolled in the program at a cost of just $14.2 billion in funding. The ACP also generates important cost savings for the government itself, reducing costs to function ecause online connectivity enables the type of upward mobility that is needed to reduce American reliance on costly social welfare programs. Americans who enroll in the ACP are less likely to need as much federal assistance in the long run because the program itself encourages self-sufficiency by providing more opportunities for career advancement such as through online GED programs and college courses. However, most ACP cost savings can be attributed to the program’s market-friendly framework, which distributes funding directly to families. Unlike many traditional government federal aid programs that provide subsidies to corporations in the hope that they will keep rates low, the ACP provides families a broadband voucher that can be used to select the technology and service provider of their choice. Vouchers give each household a unique degree of flexibility unavailable to them with most other programs and ensure the subsidy is well spent. As such, the ACP serves as a rare example of a government program that is truly technology neutral and provides consumers with genuine freedom of choice.

Aug 16, 2023

The federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) announced a new milestone. Launched nearly two years ago in 2021, it has now connected more than 20 million households to the Internet. This is a remarkable achievement and we at Comcast are proud to participate in the program. The ACP provides families with a $30/month benefit, $75/month on Tribal lands, toward their Internet bill. When applied to Comcast’s Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus tiers, it makes connectivity to the Internet effectively free. However, we still face the challenge of getting millions more ACP-eligible households to enroll. Great progress is being made to close the digital divide, but too many families, in communities across the nation, have yet to take advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity. Since day one, Comcast has been working to raise awareness about the ACP, and we are investing in hundreds of non-profit partners because closing that divide cannot be achieved without collaboration. For this reason, we are supporting Digital Navigators – people who teach digital skills at the neighborhood level – because we know they are key to the trust-building necessary for success. Unfortunately, the success of the ACP is causing an emerging dilemma. The $14 billion allocated to the FCC to provide vouchers to eligible households is likely to be exhausted early in 2024. Congress and the Biden Administration must work together to ensure that the ACP is fully funded – so tens of millions of Americans aren’t left without affordable Internet when the initial allocation of funding for the program is runs out.

Aug 15, 2023

The program has added two million Americans since June.

Aug 17, 2023

We are writing to urge [Congressional leadership] to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides families with financial assistance for broadband access, to help bridge the digital divide. Congress has a role in ensuring that high-speed and reliable broadband is accessible to every household, nationwide. We urge you to include full funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the upcoming government appropriations bill to ensure that households can access the broadband they desperately need. We cannot afford to let millions of Americans lose access to broadband. If funding for ACP is not extended, it would not only put the program’s success at risk, but also impede the progress of other federal broadband investments and initiatives. Families and businesses across the country need broadband access, and ACP has become a vital tool in securing this access. It plays a critical role in connecting households, while also promoting digital literacy, device distribution, technical support, and online services training, resulting in its high enrollment and strong bipartisan support.

Aug 17, 2023

In May 2021, the Federal Communications Commission launched the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) to help Americans stay connected to reliable Internet service during the COVID pandemic. Since evolving into the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), the program has connected nearly 20 million households nationwide. But despite the program’s success, millions remain unconnected because cost is not the only barrier to getting online. Additional barriers include access to devices, digital literacy skills, and ongoing technical support. To address these obstacles, organizations like Human-I-T are playing a crucial role. Human-I-T is deeply embedded in its Detroit, Michigan, community. Over the past few years, it has worked with partners to distribute 17,400 devices and connect nearly 2,100 households in Motor City. In June 2023, Human-I-T opened the first-in-the-nation digital equity retail location in Detroit – the Human-I-T on 7 Mile Road. This true digital equity hub provides a one-stop shop for all things digital adoption and offers low-cost devices, digital literacy training, tech support, and assistance with signing up for programs like ACP. This “hub” approach is groundbreaking and helps connect the unconnected to America’s Excellent Internet. Human-I-T on 7 Mile Road is a true innovation, bringing digital equity to retail and offering a blueprint for other digital navigator and digital equity organizations. For more resources on digital adoption, visit Network:On’s Connect20 toolkit.

Aug 17, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission announced final funding allocations for the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program (ACP Outreach Grant Program), National Competitive Outreach Program (NCOP) Round 2. The total amount of final funds announced for NCOP Round 2 is over $4.3 million.Eligibility for NCOP Round 2 was limited to governmental and non-governmental entities in the following States and Territories where funding minimums were not met during Round 1 funding announcement: American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Delaware, Guam, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming.* denotes entities that applied as a nationally-based nonprofit organization

Aug 21, 2023

In July 2023, wireless and broadband provider Vistabeam acquired Airbits, which served the towns of Estes Park and Pole Hill, which are in Colorado’s Front Range area. Vistabeam also established a digital empowerment Center in Yuma, Colorado. The move into Colorado’s Front Range area is a sign that fixed wireless access (FWA) technology is maturing. The acquisition includes 25 towers. Vistabeam’s footprint is 40,000 square miles and covers more than 100 towns in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Vistabeam’s first move into the Front Range area was September 2022, when it acquired Front Range Internet. The company is also working with Microsoft to offer digital skills programming and other online learning resources. A dedicated digital navigator is available to help eligible residents enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and other digital equity initiatives.

Aug 22, 2023

Some are projecting that ACP funding will run out early next year.

Aug 24, 2023

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Aug 24, 2023

On August 14, 2023, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel responded to lawmakers' concerns about the E-Rate Program and the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking circulated amongst the FCC. With the sunset of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) slated for June 30, 2024, the FCC is seeking public comment on how to develop a long-term solution for the kinds of ongoing remote learning challenges that Congress sought to address with the ECF. To this end, the FCC proposes to permit eligible schools and libraries to receive E-Rate program support for wireless connections like Wi-Fi hotspots that can be used off-premises. It seeks comment on the eligibility of such services and equipment and asks related questions regarding legal authority. In doing so, it points to the FCC's past actions to provide E- Rate support for certain off-premises use. The FCC has previously determined that off-premises use of equipment and services may be eligible for E-Rate support after first finding that the off-premises provision of such services is “integral, immediate, and proximate to the education of students or the provision of library services to library patrons, and thus serves an educational purpose." Chairwoman Rosenworcel is fully committed to protecting the integrity of the E-Rate program, including taking steps necessary to prevent duplicative funding for the same Wi-Fi hotspots and services across other funding programs, including the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Lifeline program, as well as other federal, state, Tribal, or local funding programs.

Aug 24, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission announced that over 20 million households across the country are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Between this push to spread the word about ACP and the billions of dollars that will be put toward broadband infrastructure expansion, the federal government is investing mightily in digital access. At a local level, even if there is broadband infrastructure in Philadelphia (PA), thousands of families still can’t afford to pay for internet service. That’s why the City of Philadelphia and other local digital equity advocates have been pushing for eligible families to sign up for ACP, especially as the 2023-2024 school year begins.

Aug 28, 2023

One of the features that President Joe Biden cited in his plan to bring internet to every home and business in the United States by 2030 was affordability. But an important federal program established to keep broadband costs down for low-income households is set to expire in 2024. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has not reached everyone who is eligible. According to an Associated Press analysis of enrollment and census data, less than than 40 percent of eligible households have utilized the program. But the program’s future is uncertain. Its primary source of funding, a $14.2 billion allocation, is projected to run out by the middle of 2024. That could end access to affordable broadband for millions of people and hinder the Biden administration’s push to bring connectivity to the people who need it most. “ACP is the best tool we’ve ever had to help people afford broadband,“ said Drew Garner, broadband policy advisor for Common Sense Media.

Aug 27, 2023

Digital inclusion took on new urgency in the U.S. when the COVID-19 pandemic thrust the issue into the spotlight, forcing schools, governments and businesses to expedite the move online. While broadband access is necessary to fully participate in society and the economy, it’s not available or affordable for many. The costs of having inadequate access—or no internet at all—can be high, limiting opportunities for success, educational achievement, positive health outcomes, social inclusion and civic engagement, according to the Digital Equity Act of 2021. The act seeks to promote digital literacy and access, establishing the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program to help communities advance telecommunications capabilities. In this first article in a series on digital inclusion, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas documents the level of digital connectivity in 2022 in the Federal Reserve’s Eleventh District—Texas, northern Louisiana and southern New Mexico. This article finds that while the digital divide is wide in poor and more isolated areas of the states, concerted efforts are taking shape across the region to close it. It documents some of the ongoing public efforts to improve digital inclusion in the Eleventh District, including the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Digital Navigator program specific to Louisiana.

Aug 28, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formalized a partnership to promote awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) among federal housing assistance recipients. The partnership agreement reflects HUD’s commitment to increase outreach activities, alongside the work both agencies are doing to decrease the time it takes for recipients of HUD assistance to sign up for the program. The partnership furthers work the FCC is doing to coordinate with other federal agencies to ensure that low-income households participating in eligible federal assistance programs are provided information about the ACP, including how to enroll in the program. The FCC and HUD will partner on ACP outreach targeted toward recipients of HUD assistance. With the partnership in place, the FCC and HUD will work together to increase awareness of the ACP among HUD-assisted households through:

Aug 28, 2023

The US telecommunications market has significantly evolved since Congress last overhauled the Communications Act more than a quarter century ago. But the Federal Communication Commission’s universal service distribution policies – though periodically tweaked – are still rooted in a framework designed to support incumbent telephone companies. However, the Congress and the FCC now have before them an opportunity to reimagine and reinvent universal service policy for the future. We suggest that the first step for Congress and the FCC is more-specific and targeted analysis: The FCC should perform a stress test, to determine what market rates would be in the absence of any additional High Cost support. If the FCC determines that in the absence of ongoing subsidies, rates will not be reasonably comparable, it must probe why. If it is because rural carriers themselves have few options for affordable backhaul, the solutions to that problem could come in the form of regulation, or Congress appropriating additional middle mile infrastructure funding. If the answer is that rural internet service providers (ISP) remaining cost of capital cannot be recovered from reasonably comparable end-user rates (that account for differences in overall cost of living and wages), then the solution to that problem could come in the form of subsidies paid to end-users to offset their high bills. We urge Congress to make the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) a permanent program, and appropriate the funding needed to ensure that low-income households can afford broadband long after the initial appropriation from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is expended. Finally, we strongly urge Congress and the FCC to reject the cynical call from some of the nation’s largest businesses to massively lower their own Universal Service Fund (USF) contribution burdens by imposing a regressive tax on residential broadband services.

Aug 29, 2023

One of the greatest untold urban stories in America is playing out right now. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) — which launched at the start of 2022 to help struggling families cover the cost of monthly broadband plans — has connected over 20 million households to the internet across the nation, opening countless doors for education, jobs, health care and community connections. After the difficulties of the pandemic, our families, friends and neighbors are coming back stronger than ever before, using high-speed internet to transform their lives. The city of Tacoma (WA), where I serve as mayor, demonstrates the impact of this kind of program. When I took office in 2018, only 67% of households had broadband internet subscriptions at home. Yet, only about 4,000 Tacoma households had enrolled in a discounted internet service program for low-income households from the major internet service provider in our area. Five years later, approximately 82% of Tacoma households subscribe to broadband, and more than 17,000 Tacoma households have come online, and that’s largely due to the ACP. We need our elected leaders — in Congress and the Biden administration — to deepen their efforts to close the digital divide. Will the ACP fully close the digital divide? Sadly, no. We need even more federal investment — and local leadership — to ensure that everyone in America has access to broadband internet. However, the ACP is a critical part of the equation. It’s already closed more of the digital divide than any program in American history. [Victoria Woodards is the mayor of Tacoma (WA) and the president of the National League of Cities.]

Aug 30, 2023

In comments filed with the Senate Working Group on the future of the Universal Service Fund (USF), many organizations underscored the issue of redundant government expenditure in their submissions, with a notable focus on whether the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) should be integrated into the USF framework. The USF includes four programs targeting different vulnerable portions of the broadband market: the Connect America Fund, Lifeline, Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) and Rural Health Care. Many organizations called for the FCC to consolidate ACP with the Lifeline program, the latter of which provides a $9.25 broadband subsidy for low-income households – less than a third of the $30 benefit households get through the ACP. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) argued the Lifeline program has become redundant because it provides a smaller benefit to fewer people, as it applies to consumers with an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty line (compared to 200% or below to qualify for the ACP). Because eligibility for Lifeline is one of the ways to qualify for ACP, “there is no one covered by Lifeline who could not get the ACP."The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW), also in favor of replacing the Lifeline program with ACP, told the USF Working Group that with hundreds of billions of dollars now available for broadband deployment across the country, it is “difficult to continue to justify keeping the USF program at its current level.” The USF should eliminate duplicative programs while supporting those that are operating “effectively and efficiently” such as the ACP, said CCAGW.

Aug 30, 2023

As of mid-August 2023, nearly 20 million American households have enrolled for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – a federal program that’s provided affordable internet to our country’s most vulnerable and enabled them to stand a chance at competing in the quickly digitizing world. However, only a little more than a third of eligible households have enrolled. I launched the Digital Inclusion and Access Taskforce in Nashville (TN) during the pandemic because I saw firsthand the devastating effects the digital divide was having on communities of color. Since then, we’ve made significant progress in getting our neighborhoods the proper resources they need to get connected. However, our work isn’t done. Less than half of Tennesseans who live in Davidson County have reliable internet. Out of almost a hundred thousand eligible households in the Nashville area, only 16% of eligible households have taken advantage of the ACP. Experts estimate that the initial funding approved by Congress for the ACP will run out in early 2024 leaving millions of Americans behind in the digital world. Education is the foundation for a brighter future, and we want to equip our young ones with the tools they need to succeed. We have the opportunity to pave the way for a brighter future, where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential in our rapidly evolving world. Let us seize this moment and work together to build a stronger, more digitally connected Nashville for generations to come.[Dr. Fallon Wilson is the Co-Founder of the #BlackTechFutures Research Institute and Vice President of the Multicultural Media, Telecom, & Internet Council.]

Aug 31, 2023

The $14.2 billion allocated to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is projected to run out by mid-2024. With the options running thin, there may be a potential source of funding for the ACP for Congress to consider—only this time, it’s intricately connected to the US spectrum auctions that were formerly under Federal Communications Commission jurisdiction. With $230 billion dollars of revenue generated by the process of selling government-owned spectrum assets since it began in 1994, approximately 1/6th of average annual proceeds could keep the ACP afloat, helping new subscribers get online and keeping existing ones connected as the need for affordable broadband grows. But this can only happen if Congress reauthorizes the FCC to restart the process after allowing the agency’s auction authority to lapse earlier in 2023. Restoring the FCC’s authority to conduct spectrum auctions could raise millions—if not billions—of dollars that could help close the digital divide and bridge the gap between those with internet access and those without.

Aug 31, 2023

Fixed wireless access (FWA) provider Starry Group Holdings has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a smaller, more narrowly focused privately held company. The implementation of Starry’s reorganization plan completes a process that began in February 2023 when the company filed voluntary petitions for bankruptcy in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and entered into a restructuring support agreement with lenders holding the company’s debt. The court accepted the reorganization plan on May 26, 2023. Starry says it has eliminated and restructured its debt and gotten an infusion of exit funding. Starry also has reduced its workforce and refocused its efforts on five key markets: Boston, New York City, Washington (DC), Denver, and Los Angeles. The company says that it will expand its Starry Connect program, which supports families in public and affordable house communities, and continue participating in the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Aug 31, 2023

Universal access to high-speed internet is achievable. But even with the federal government deploying billions of dollars to expand networks and connectivity, this goal can only be reached if all Americans can afford broadband subscriptions. Federal lawmakers initially allocated $14.2 billion in funding to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which has enrolled more than 20 million households, becoming a vital tool in the nationwide effort to connect every household and business. But ACP’s future is uncertain: Projections show program funding will run out by spring 2024 unless Congress acts. Here are some key facts lawmakers should have to understand ACP’s critical role and why it needs secure, ongoing funding to help close the digital divide:

Aug 31, 2023

Starting after Labor Day 2023, classes will be back in session for members of Congress as they return to Washington (DC) from their August 2023 recess. At the top of their to-do list? Playing what’s become an annual game of chicken over whether to fund the federal government — including extending funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which ensures that tens of millions of households can stay online. The ACP is also on track to run out of money by spring 2024. Access to high-speed internet isn’t a luxury; it’s a human right. Without it, you can’t access basic things like education, health care, jobs, government services, and info about what’s going on in your community. Additionally, affordable internet access is even more crucial in light of the climate crisis. Being able to connect to critical services before and during an emergency can save lives — and a stable connection can help people pick up the pieces afterward. Without further funding for the ACP, untold numbers of low-income families won’t benefit from the newly built broadband networks in their communities.

Sep 05, 2023

North Carolina’s first Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program. It will connect 6,012 households and 164 businesses in 14 counties to high-speed internet. The CAB program, administered by the NC Department of Information Technology (NCDIT), complements the state’s Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grant program to reach additional unserved areas. Like GREAT grant awardees, all CAB program grantees must participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible low-income households a $30 per month discount on high-speed internet service, or provide access to a comparable low-cost program. CAB program applicants must also agree to provide high-speed service, defined as a minimum of 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload, scalable to 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload on or before Dec. 31, 2026. Awardees include:

Sep 06, 2023

The Federal Communications Commission made final funding allocations for the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program (ACP Outreach Grant Program), and Tribal Competitive Outreach Program (TCOP) Round 2. The total amount of final funds announced for TCOP Round 2 is over $1.2 million. The extensive demand for ACP outreach funding so far underscores the need for these funds and the importance of reaching the eligible households that have not yet enrolled in the ACP. This new funding opportunity for ACP outreach is intended to provide funding to five additional Tribal organizations, beyond the 20 TCOP grant recipients that were announced as part of the FCC's March 10, 2023 funding announcement. The awardees are as follows:

Sep 06, 2023

US Education Secretary Miguel Cardona made stops in Kansas and Missouri as part of a multi-state tour, labeling internet access “the new pencil” as he discussed the government’s efforts to expand broadband connectivity. While speaking to superintendents and education leaders in Kansas, he declared lack of access the “equity issue of our moment.” Secretary Cardona was joined by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to discuss the “digital divide,” with school superintendents and education leaders from corporate and nonprofit companies. Chairwoman Rosenworcel hopes that communication from community partners will help form trust around the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to reach those who may not otherwise sign up for the federal program. 

Sep 06, 2023

Internet consumers benefitting from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are experiencing significant improvement in education and employment opportunities, according to the results of a survey of Bluepeak Internet customers conducted in August 2023. The survey results indicate subscribers in ACP households were able to find jobs, apply for financial aid or college, do homework, and participate in distance learning. In addition, some reported having home internet helped a member of their household become a first-generation college graduate, according to the Bluepeak survey findings.

Sep 08, 2023

The Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) partnered with the Indiana University Center for Survey Research (IU-CSR) to gather data on Indiana residents on several digital equity indicators. A surprising finding was that the difference between Whites and racial/ethnic minorities was not statistically significant but more importantly, they were “reversed” to what was expected. In other words, White non-Hispanics in Indiana lag racial/ethnic minorities when it comes to paying for home internet for all previous 12 months. There are two possible explanations for this unexpected finding: (1) survey results may be capturing the effectiveness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), as the program has a higher share of African American households enrolled compared to White non-Hispanic households; (2) may be due to a higher share of Indiana rural residents—more likely to lack home internet access, be less educated, and/or have lower incomes—being White non-Hispanic.

Sep 07, 2023

Nearly $50 million will go to middle mile projects in four states.

Sep 12, 2023

With the common aim of ensuring that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy, each of the 50 states is currently drafting a digital equity plan through what one official called “the largest demonstration of participatory democracy that our country has ever seen." The states are tasked with developing long-term objectives for closing the digital divide by addressing the needs of eight "covered populations"—including low-income households. Several states have released their draft digital equity plans and one tool they all rely heavily on for connecting—and keeping connected—low-income households is the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). However, estimates from the Federal Communications Commission project that funding for the ACP could run out within the next year. Also see:

Sep 12, 2023

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a huge factor in the prepaid ecosystem. In the coming years, the two top sources of funding for this ecosystem will be the Total by Verizon store rollout and the ACP. A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) told me their company had plans to push free services via the ACP, while providing refurbished devices to these customers either for free or at very affordable prices. Another example of the developing ACP ecosystem was the presence of CompuGroup Medical (CGM), which provides an ACP enrollment platform and a “suite of support services" intended to “expedite an ACP carrier’s time to market, optimize their subscriber retention, and drive end-to-end program compliance.” The ACP is heavily pitched via prepaid retail, too, as signs market “talk, text & fast 5G for as low as $0/mo," at Cricket Wireless stores and “free mobile service" at Boost Mobile dealers.[Jeff Moore is Principal of Wave 7 Research, a wireless research firm that covers U.S. postpaid, prepaid and smartphone competition.]

Sep 12, 2023

If Congress doesn’t act to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), millions of households that currently have broadband internet access could lose it before the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Students could fall into the “homework gap," meaning they won't be able to complete schoolwork at home and keep up with their classmates. Congress and the Biden Administration must work together to approve additional ACP funding to ensure that students aren’t left without internet in the middle of this school year, and that the program is funded for years to come.[Olivia Wein is a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center focusing on policies and programs that protect low-income consumers’ access to essential utility services, including energy, water, and broadband service. Cheryl A. Leanza serves as policy advisor to the United Church of Christ’s historic media advocacy arm and as the Co-Chair of the Leadership Conference of Civil Rights Media & Telecommunications Task Force.]

Sep 13, 2023

As a full-time law student, I spend much of my day online doing schoolwork and sometimes taking classes. Many of my finals are take-home exams that require an internet connection. If not for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), I would have to take these classes and exams at the library or a coffee shop, where the environment could be very disruptive. In some cases, such as when prospective students take the LSAT or GRE, the proctors don’t allow you to take the exam in a public place because of the risk of cheating. Additionally, affordable internet access has facilitated all three of my remote legal internships I’ve completed while in law school. Beyond school and work, affordable internet access at home is vital for ensuring privacy during telehealth appointments—especially ones that involve highly sensitive information. The ACP benefit is crucial for me, my studies, and my valuable contributions to society as a future public interest lawyer. Congress must extend the program to promote equity and opportunity for all students and families.[Brandee McGee was a summer 2023 legal intern at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.]

Sep 02, 2022

Microsoft and CWA plan to host a traveling series of events promoting the ACP subsidy.

Sep 20, 2022

Major federal broadband consumer subsidy programs that have been implemented, in the U.S. (the Lifeline, the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)) are rebates administered through broadband providers. Yet, uptake in these programs among eligible households has been modest. Direct-to-consumer voucher subsidies have been widely applied to non-broadband social benefit programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), yet there is limited implementation for broadband. There has been increased advocacy for direct-to-consumer broadband voucher programs to replace rebates on consumers’ bills because, some argue, they reduce administrative costs, improve program transparency, and increase competition by supporting broader connectivity options and providers. At its conclusion, ABC connected over 200,000 students (in 107,000 households). Ultimately, the success of The Alabama Broadband Connectivity for Students program presents evidence of three critical design elements for increasing uptake in broadband affordability programs: (1) Targeted outreach through trusted messengers; (2) Removing barriers to enrollment; and (3) Combine multiple mechanisms/network technologies.See the full working paper for a detailed overview of the method, results, and discussion of findings here. [Erezi Ogbo is the winner of the TPRC and the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society 2022 Early Career Scholar Award]

Sep 20, 2022

Underline, the nation’s intelligent community infrastructure platform, is connecting American communities on a foundation of open access fiber. To support existing projects and drive continued US expansion, a fund managed by Ares Management’s Infrastructure Opportunities strategy joins Underline as a strategic investor—adding a scaled global investment manager to the existing investor group. Underline is the first digital infrastructure investment Ares will make through its Infrastructure Opportunities strategy—a leading infrastructure investor with approximately $4.3 billion in assets under management, as of June 30, 2022. Through this investment, Underline can offer service to residential customers on full fiber connections with symmetric gigabit speeds for $65/month—no installation or equipment fees, no contracts, no data caps, and no forced bundles. In addition, Underline members can select their broadband provider from a choice of three on the online Marketplace and can switch between them at ease. Transforming community connectivity must also include a plan to address the growing digital divide that presents a barrier to upward mobility for individuals and families. Underline’s Opportunity Program provides the standard tier of service—500/500 Mbps— at no cost, for households that qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and symmetric gigabit service for $35/month. 

Sep 20, 2022

Underline, the nation’s intelligent community infrastructure platform, is connecting American communities on a foundation of open access fiber. To support existing projects and drive continued US expansion, a fund managed by Ares Management’s Infrastructure Opportunities strategy joins Underline as a strategic investor—adding a scaled global investment manager to the existing investor group. Underline is the first digital infrastructure investment Ares will make through its Infrastructure Opportunities strategy—a leading infrastructure investor with approximately $4.3 billion in assets under management, as of June 30, 2022. Through this investment, Underline can offer service to residential customers on full fiber connections with symmetric gigabit speeds for $65/month—no installation or equipment fees, no contracts, no data caps, and no forced bundles. In addition, Underline members can select their broadband provider from a choice of three on the online Marketplace and can switch between them at ease. Transforming community connectivity must also include a plan to address the growing digital divide that presents a barrier to upward mobility for individuals and families. Underline’s Opportunity Program provides the standard tier of service—500/500 Mbps— at no cost, for households that qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and symmetric gigabit service for $35/month. 

Sep 12, 2022

An FCC watchdog report said some service providers were signing up multiple people on one person's information for ACP benefits.

Sep 16, 2022

On September 15, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), along with the CBO, hosted a webinar to discuss the Digital Equity (DE) Planning Grant and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). We reviewed what to expect from the DE planning process, the program timeline and our proposed

Sep 15, 2022

White House officials urged schools and other local institutions to engage in text-message and social media campaigns for the ACP.

Sep 26, 2022

Some internet connection providers in Rochester, NY, are ramping up service strength to meet demand. However, for some, internet options are plentiful but inaccessible due to cost. To connect, some utilize access to Wi-Fi from a nearby church to use the internet. To alleviate such issues, Monroe (NY) County Legislator Rachel Barnhart, who serves on the Monroe County's Taskforce on Broadband, said, "We have learned that programs offering reduced cost internet have low uptake because people are not aware they exist or because of red tape. We need better, more accessible options.” To help with internet disparity in a connected world, the federal government has cast a $14.2 billion internet lifeline called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) for families struggling to pay for internet service, affording free internet or money off of monthly bills to households that qualify. The public can apply for these discounts through an online application. 

Sep 28, 2022

On September 21, 2022, representatives from the USTelecom – the Broadband Association, CTIA, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, and ACA Connects – America’s Communications Association met with staffers in the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics to offer recommendations to maximize the effectiveness of the Affordable Connectivity Program’s (ACP) data collection and to keep it simple, streamlined, and efficient for the benefit of consumers and providers alike. The lobbyists pointed out that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act directs the FCC to “issue final rules regarding the annual collection by the Commission of data relating to the price and subscription rates of each internet service offering of a participating provider under the Affordable Connectivity Program . . . to which an eligible household subscribes.” This language, they point out, authorizes an annual data collection focused on two components – price and subscription rates of each ACP offering. It does not authorize the FCCto require providers to continually submit extensive data for each of the almost 14 million current ACP subscribers, as well as future ACP subscribers. They suggest FCC data collection should capture (1) the non-discounted month-to-month price and (2) the number of subscribers for each internet service offering to which an ACP household subscribes, aggregated at the state level.

Sep 28, 2022

Common Sense and Public Knowledge recommend that the Universal Service Administrative Company make additional types of data available through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Enrollment Claims Tracker. The tracker is the main source of publicly-available data on the ACP. However, the tracker currently lacks key types of data to precisely measure the effect of these campaigns or understand the quality of the services and devices purchased. By providing additional data, the FCC could increase the ACP’s transparency; maximize the impact of ACP campaigns, including those funded by the upcoming ACP Outreach Grant Program; and generate high-quality feedback for the digital discrimination task force. We recommend the tracker be updated to provide the following types of data:Common Sense and Public Knowledge also ask the FCC to facilitate ACP enrollment by encouraging data sharing between states and relevant agencies.

Oct 03, 2022

With a $14 billion appropriation from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has enrolled more than 14 million households in a short period of time and may be the most effective broadband benefit program to date with its direct-to-consumer model. The innovative program offers a valuable policy learning opportunity as lawmakers consider sustainable long-term funding options to continue it. Many features of the ACP reflect guidance from policy academics and researchers that supports a model that allows consumers more options. ACP recipients can choose the broadband plan of their choice and are not limited because of credit status or prior debt with the provider. Moreover, as the ACP is universally applicable, it allows consumers to switch providers and plans and does not charge recipients for early termination. There is broad bipartisan support for broadband support for low-income Americans, though the path through Congress is uncertain at this time. Estimates based on current trends show that the ACP is likely to run out of funding by mid-2024. Funding ACP for an additional five years could cost $30-$35 billion. Ideas to create a more sustainable source of funding for the ACP include: reforming the Universal Service Fund (USF); incorporating market solutions; or creating a short-term appropriation for the program through Congressional action. 

Oct 05, 2022

According to Internet Use Survey Data, which tracks disparities around Internet adoption,a majority – 58% – of the 24 million offline households express no interest or need to be online. There is also a large proportion who say they can’t afford home Internet service (18%).Regardless of their stated reasons for non-use, offline households have significantly lower incomes than their online counterparts. This suggests that even after overcoming other barriers, the cost may be an additional challenge for many offline households. Many households citing reasons other than expense may nevertheless still struggle with the cost of home Internet service and suitable devices in addition to challenges such as a lack of digital skills, barriers to accessibility, and other issues. Interestingly, a small but growing proportion of offline households—4 percent in 2021—cited a lack of Internet availability in the area, overtaking those that said they lacked a working computer. These results suggest that multiple strategies are necessary to stimulate greater adoption of the Internet, including subsidy programs such as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), the Digital Equity Act, and other initiatives to increase digital skills, equip people with suitable devices, and ensure important online services are accessible to all.

Oct 05, 2022

Gov Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced that one million qualifying New York households have enrolled in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a nationwide subsidy to expand broadband access to low-income households. Earlier this year, the Governor launched a multi-agency outreach initiative to build awareness of the program and encourage eligible households to enroll. New York is one of the leading states in the nation for ACP enrollment with 30 percent of eligible households currently taking advantage of this federal benefit. Eligible New York households are now collecting more than $360 million in annual subsidies. The multi-agency, multi-pronged outreach effort led by the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) and Empire State Development continues to increase the number of eligible enrollees daily. DPS and its partner agencies have coordinated with community groups, working groups, and state associations statewide, with the Governor's ConnectALL initiative to increase enrollment among eligible New Yorkers. 

Oct 07, 2022

The Verizon Forward program is expanding to offer select 5G Home and LTE Home Internet fixed wireless services for free through the Verizon Forward program. Verizon Forward is part of Citizen Verizon, the avenue through which the carrier participates in…

Oct 06, 2022

Our analysis shows affordability as a driving factor around why some households continue to remain offline, confirming that the cost of service is an essential part of increasing Internet adoption. We asked households not using the Internet from home: “At what monthly price if any, would your household buy home Internet service?” Answers to the new question showed that the mean price offline households wanted to pay was approximately $10 per month, though it’s worth noting that three in four households gave $0 or “none” as their answer. Interestingly, households citing expense as their main reason for non-use were more willing to pay some amount for home Internet service, with a mean reported price of $16 and 54 percent responding that they would only purchase home Internet service if it were $0. In contrast, households citing a lack of need or interest in home Internet service were only willing to pay $6 per month on average, with 83 percent of the group giving an answer of $0. Overall, while reduced monthly service costs could attract some number of offline households (including nearly half of those in the “too expensive” group), many more indicated that they could not or would not pay any amount. Overall, these data make clear that multiple strategies are needed to fully address longstanding disparities in Internet use. That’s why programs like the Digital Equity Act and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are vital for households and communities.

Oct 06, 2022

The US Department of the Treasury approved broadband projects in an additional group of three states under the American Rescue Plan’s (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF): Massachusetts, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Together, these states will use their funding to connect more than 91,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet. A key priority of the CPF program is to make funding available for reliable, affordable broadband infrastructure. These ARPA programs and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) are working in tandem to close the digital divide – deploying high-speed internet to those without access today and lowering costs for those who cannot afford it. In accordance with Treasury’s guidance, each state’s plan requires service providers to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP helps ensure that households can afford the high-speed internet they need for work, school, healthcare, and more. Additionally, the Treasury’s guidance requires recipients to consider whether the federally funded networks will be affordable to the target markets in their service areas and encourages recipients to require that a federally funded project offer at least one low-cost option at speeds that are sufficient for a household with multiple users.

Oct 07, 2022

Verizon announced that select 5G Home and LTE Home Internet services are available for free to qualifying households through the new Verizon Forward Program. Qualified customers can take advantage of fast, reliable Verizon Home Internet via 5G Home, LTE Home, or Fios at no cost. These efforts are part of Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental, and social advancement. The Verizon Forward Program is part of Verizon’s participation in the Federal Communication Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which helps low-income households pay for Internet and mobile services. To qualify for free Verizon Home Internet, customers must be enrolled in ACP. ACP customers will enjoy the everyday perks of being a Verizon Home Internet customers – like no data caps, annual contract, or equipment charges. More information can be found here.

Oct 12, 2022

EducationSuperHighway released its second No Home Left Offline report on the action needed to accelerate Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) adoption. Key report highlights include:

Oct 11, 2022

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau provided additional information concerning the Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Navigator Pilot Program, including guidance to assist prospective applicants in preparing to apply for participation in one or both Pilot Programs. The FCC expects to open the Pilot Programs’ application window, and expects the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau to release the Notice of Funding Opportunity (or NOFO) for Pilot Program funding, in November 2022. The agency will announce further information regarding the application window and other program details in the near future.

Oct 12, 2022

The FCC released additional information on the ACP Your Home, Your Internet Pilot and the ACP Navigator Pilot. The commission said it will release a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) and begin accepting applications for the programs next month. The…

Oct 13, 2022

About half of the Milwaukee (WI) households eligible for low-cost internet service are now enrolled in a federal program that offers it, but statewide enrollment is only around 25% and the program’s barely been used in many communities, according to new figures. Even in Milwaukee, where the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has been heavily promoted, thousands of eligible households haven’t signed up for the benefit that provides $30 a month toward the cost of internet service, also known as broadband. Moreover, when combined with a discount ACP price from Charter Spectrum, AT&T, and other service providers, the service would be free. The signup rate of eligible households in Wisconsin has ranged from under 1%, sometimes in rural communities that lack internet access, to more than 70% in Brown Deer in Milwaukee County. Statewide, the rate was 25% of 894,005 eligible households, according to the national nonprofit group EducationSuperHighway. That’s just above the national average of 24%, less than Michigan at 26%, but better than Minnesota at 16%, Iowa’s 13%, and Illinois, 20%.

Oct 18, 2022

Comcast’s entry-level internet service was not fast enough for Lia Moniz’s two schoolkids, so she upgraded to a faster connection that costs her more than $80 a month. A new Comcast offer, Internet Essentials Plus (IEP), has the potential to make Moniz’s internet free. IEP has the most bang for the buck. It offers speeds up to 100 megabits per second downstream and 10 megabits up, with free cable modem and Wi-Fi hot spot rental, for $29.95 a month. This is covered by the $30 Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit, so on the bottom line, it’s free. Even if you’re an existing Comcast internet customer. Even, in some cases, if you owe Comcast money on previous bills. However, it's problematic to sign up for ACP and IEP. When we tried to sign up, it was complicated and intimidating, but with a little trial and error, and about two hours, we qualified for ACP. Qualifying for Comcast’s IEP was worse. We were informed twice—erroneously—first by email and then by a Comcast help desk agent, that existing Comcast customers didn’t qualify. We corrected the error and navigated even more misinformation. Then we learned that while new Comcast customers could apply for IEP online, existing customers had to wait 48 hours and then call Comcast in person to enroll. In the end, though, we succeeded. The Comcast bill went from $64.87 a month to $0.[David Isenberg is head of the advisory committee to FalmouthNet, a nonprofit that aims to bring a locally controlled fiber-optic internet network to Falmouth]

Oct 18, 2022

From an unnamed Comcast public relations officer: The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) program is an important opportunity to connect more Americans to broadband than ever before and to close the digital divide, and we’ve been working hard to get the word out locally. The programs were implemented with incredible speed by both the government and private companies, and while some bumps in the road were expected, we are working to address issues as soon as possible. We have worked consistently to simplify the processes for consumers while keeping the proper checks and balances in place. When issues arise, we try to quickly and diligently solve them. We’ll continue to collaborate with community partners in Falmouth such as the Falmouth Public Schools, the Falmouth Housing Authority, and the Falmouth Senior Center, to sign up eligible customers. Our employees at the Xfinity store in Falmouth and at our other four store locations across the Cape are also trained to assist eligible customers.

Oct 19, 2022

The Federal Communications Commission set guidelines for two pilot programs aimed at increasing both awareness of and participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households (and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands). On October 11, the FCC provided an update on the implementation of the pilot programs. The short of it is that the FCC is not yet accepting applications to participate in the pilot programs, but there are things eligible entities could be doing now to prepare their applications. The FCC set aside $100 million for Affordable Connectivity Program outreach. Each of the pilot programs discussed here will make up to $5 million in grants to community partners. Your Home, Your Internet and ACP Navigator Pilot Program applicants are not required to seek grant funding through the Pilot Grants. Applicants that will not rely on grant funding through the Pilot Grants for their outreach activities may receive an earlier notice of approval to participate in either or both pilot programs.

Oct 21, 2022

ConnectWaukegan, a public-private broadband provider, conducted a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) Fixed Wireless prototype in Waukegan (IL) as a proof of concept. The research was done to present the findings and recommendations for potential leverage of CBRS Fixed Wireless capabilities to increase access to broadband by underserved residents in the city. The approach was to provide a variety of broadband alternatives working with commercial providers (Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile) as well as providing public options and access points to provide a variety of different solutions and capabilities. ConnectWaukegan found that CBRS fixed wireless could be used selectively to fill bandwidth access gaps in different low-income neighborhoods or public areas throughout Waukegan with a mobile public access alternative where traditional wired vendors or wireless vendors are not available or cost-effective. Also, CBRS antennas could be deployed on geographically strategic buildings or locations with cost-effective access to a high-speed internet backend that is already being paid for by a private partner, the school, town, or county. The organization recommends a gradual and cost-effective targeted neighborhood-by-neighborhood roll-out plan based on demand as well as access to cost-effective back-end broadband and radio mounting locations; particularly around schools and libraries. Finally, as an internet service provider, ConnectWaukegan would be able to capture the $30/month benefit from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to connect underserved, low-income residents, and repay the cost of the CBRS solution as well as fund additional efforts.

Oct 27, 2022

House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) wrote to 13 internet service providers expressing deep concerns over reports of providers engaging in abusive, misleading, fraudulent, or otherwise predatory behaviors through the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The Chairman demanded answers from Altice USA, AT&T, Charter, Comcast, Cox Communications, Dish Network, Excess Wireless, Frontier, Lumen/CenturyLink, Maxsip, Q Link, T-Mobile, and Verizon. To assist with the Committee’s oversight of the EBB and ACP programs and ensure their continued success, Chairman Pallone requested a host of information, including:

Oct 27, 2022

How can policymakers best estimate Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) eligibility and participation rates? The key finding here is that using 200% of the Federal Poverty Level as the only eligibility criteria significantly undercounts eligible households and therefore inflates participation rates. Further, the undercount varies significantly across states (which we hypothesize is linked to whether states expanded Medicaid eligibility after 2010). At the same time, more accurate eligibility estimations are only possible at the (Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMA) level, resulting in significant loss in geographical granularity in the analysis of ACP participation, since Universal Service Administrative Company reports data at the zip code level. The research thus proposes the use of an adjustment factor to better approximate the true number of ACP-eligible households at the zip5 level.

Oct 28, 2022

The Federal Communications Commission has been working to fulfill three important Congressional mandates. One would enhance national security by ensuring that untrustworthy communications equipment is not authorized for use within our border. Another would empower consumers to make more informed decisions about broadband service by requiring broadband providers to display “nutrition” labels that disclose information about pricing and network performance. A third would improve transparency and accountability for the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which is helping more than 14 million households across the country get and stay online. Stay tuned because action on all three of these initiatives is forthcoming. On top of all this work, we’ve lined up the following proposals for consideration at our November meeting.

Oct 28, 2022

Across the country, rural households and low-wage workers are stuck with slow or no internet while the rest of the world moves forward with high-speed broadband. Lack of broadband shuts workers out of jobs. People who live in rural areas without high-speed internet access depend on local coffee shops and other public facilities with high-speed internet to fill in the gap. Beyond work, online healthcare, education, and conveniences like online shopping work best—and sometimes only—with broadband. During the pandemic, these tasks became necessities for many. Millions of people qualify for reduced internet costs but aren't signing up. Broadband has eluded low-income and rural households for one main reason: money. It’s athorn for consumers and broadband providers alike. For providers, the challenge is justifying the capital investment to establish rural broadband infrastructure in low-density areas with fewer subscribers. While the federal government poured billions into expanding internet access to low-income and rural households, there are still road bumps to achieving connectivity. A recent survey by Education Superhighway found that the greatest hurdle for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment is awareness: an astonishing 75% of people in many communities don’t know this program exists. On a national level, the adoption rate is 25%, but the rate of adoption fluctuates sharply by state. Additionally, monopolies drive up the price of internet services. More than 200 million Americans only have a choice between two ISPs, according to a White House fact sheet. In these markets, consumers may pay up to five times more than those living in areas with more options for broadband providers.

Oct 26, 2022

‘These reports detail problems customers have faced,” wrote Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone

Nov 03, 2022

Twitter CEO Elon Musk led a call with civil rights groups in an effort to assure them that he would curtail hate speech — and stop the spread of misinformation ahead of the midterm elections. Musk said that Twitter employees responsible for election integrity who had been locked out of their moderation tools during the company’s acquisition will have their access reinstated soon. Musk also said that users banned by the platform — including former President Donald Trump — will remain off the site “for at least a few more weeks.” The gathering was part of Musk’s effort to set up a “content moderation council,” which would presumably police users and content on the platform — and help ease concerns from worried advertisers. Musk said that he wanted his council to “include representatives with widely divergent views, which will certainly include the civil rights community and groups who face hate-fueled violence.” Participants on the Zoom call included Free Press, the Anti-Defamation League, the Asian American Foundation, Color Of Change, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the NAACP, and the former CEO of LULAC, a nonprofit representing Hispanic communities in the US. Musk also discussed his idea of creating a “council” to review content and policies related to potentially harmful material, but he did not lay out any specific next steps. However, the groups reminded Musk that any such organization should include those who are targeted with hate-filled online language.

Nov 04, 2022

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $59 million to expand high-speed internet access to rural Michiganders through four major projects across the state, including two in the Upper Peninsula.The Upper Peninsula Telephone Company will receive a $34,532,301 grant to install a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 1,625 people, 69 farms, 40 businesses, and two educational facilities with the higher speeds in Dickinson, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, and Ontonagon counties. The company will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity (ACP) and the Lifeline programs. In addition, the Baraga Telephone Company will receive a $3,302,981 loan to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 362 people, four farms, and two businesses to high-speed internet in Houghton County. The funds were made possible by the USDA’s Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program.

Nov 07, 2022

Using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development, working in concert with the Mass Broadband Institute (MBI), launched two programs in September — Digital Equity Partnerships Program and Municipal Digital Equity Planning. “Digital inclusion really cuts across every aspect of society, whether its social connectivity, being able to get into the workforce and stay in the workforce, civic participation, health care access..., educational opportunities... and financial resources,” said Michael Baldino, the Director of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. The funding has to be fully committed by the end of 2024 and fully spent by the end of 2026, Baldino said. MBI is managing the funds through a contract with the Commonwealth. Through the Digital Equity Partnerships Program, MBI is looking for 10 to 15 organizations to help execute six initiatives that will address digital literacy; public space internet modernization; connectivity for economic hardship; device distribution and refurbishment, and education, outreach, and adoption. The goal of the six initiatives is to make sure everyone has access to the internet, access to a device that they can use the internet on, and the necessary digital literacy to be able to use the internet, according to Baldino. There will also be a focus on educating communities about existing programs, like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Nov 09, 2022

The FCC has linked the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline program with the Veterans Benefits Administration in order to make it easier for the eligibility of veterans to be verified. The Veterans Benefits Administration is part of the U.S….

Nov 09, 2022

The Federal Communications Commission has launched a database connection with the Veterans Benefits Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to make it easier for veterans to sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline. The connection will enable automatic eligibility verification of Veterans receiving qualifying pension benefits. Veterans who have their eligibility automatically determined by the FCC’s National Verifier will not need to submit additional eligibility documentation to enroll in the two programs. The FCC and Veterans Benefit Administration have an agreement for the automatic eligibility verification of Veterans receiving qualifying pension benefits who seek to apply for the FCC’s ACP and Lifeline programs.

Nov 10, 2022

The Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program (ACP Outreach Grant Program) is comprised of four complementary grant programs: 1) National Competitive Outreach Program (NCOP),2) Tribal Competitive Outreach Program (TCOP),3) Your Home, Your Internet (YHYI) Outreach Grants, and 4) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Navigator Pilot Program (NPP) Outreach Grants. The Federal issues this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to describe the requirements under which it will award grants for the NCOP and the TCOP.[A separate NOFO will be issued for the ACP Outreach Grant Program – Pilot Programs, YHYI and NPP.] Complete applications must be received through https://www.grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on January 9, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted. FCC expects to complete its review, make selection of successful applicants, and process awards on or before March 10, 2023.

Nov 10, 2022

The FCC has created four complementary grant programs to promote the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) across the country. The regulator is seeking to “enlist trusted community messengers” who would “develop innovative outreach strategies designed to target historically unserved and underserved…

Nov 14, 2022

On November 10, the Federal Communications Commission released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), a formal announcement of the availability of grant funds to develop innovative outreach strategies to reach historically underserved and unserved communities, raise awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and help eligible individuals enroll in the program. Here are highlights of the NOFO for organizations that are already doing ACP outreach or for those who may be considering it.

Nov 14, 2022

Representatives from the Missouri Office of Broadband Development (OBD) are in an information-gathering stage with two main avenues of focus. One is locating areas of the state with little or no broadband infrastructure. Another is developing plans to help those who live in areas with broadband access, but don't have the necessary means or knowledge to use it. Adam Thorp, community development specialist for OBD, said the office has received state and federal funding for developing the plans for expanding the needed infrastructure such as laying fiber optic cable and coordinating with internet service providers in expanding coverage. Thorp said $250,000 in planning money has been allocated for "digital demonstration projects" to demonstrate successful means of helping people overcome barriers to online access. The results of these projects will determine how much funding the state will receive. One OBD project provides funding to organizations that can employ "digital navigators", or people who will supply information regarding discounted internet service and funding for devices, as well as teach people to use computers and the internet. Additionally, through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), people can apply for discounts on devices and internet service plans. However, Thorp said only a small portion of the people eligible for ACP have signed up.

Nov 10, 2022

At least $70 million will be committed to get Americans signed up to the Affordable Connectivity Program.