In February the FCC stopped accepting new applicants for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This program offers discounts on Internet or phone service to low-income Americans. The program is running out of money waiting for Congress to provide new funding. Now the FCC is warning Internet service providers that in May it will only have enough money to give partial payments.
Typically, the FCC offers to cover $30 a month for Internet or phone service for those who qualify. Now the FCC is telling Internet providers it will only be able to cover between $7 and $16 for this program. This is better news than earlier reports saying the program would run out of money in April.
Now AT&T has announced that it will continue to offer $30 a month internet to anyone who qualified for the ACP program even if the funding for it runs out.
In a statement, AT&T said:
As the Federal Government’s Affordable Connectivity Program winds down later this spring – absent additional funding from Congress, AT&T will continue to offer our Access from AT&T service. Access makes the internet more affordable for customers by providing qualifying households with high-speed internet for $30 per month. This service includes Wi-Fi at no additional charge and does not include deposit fees. The company will expand connectivity offers to include AT&T Prepaid, Cricket and other connectivity solutions as they become available.
At the same time, AT&T will continue to advocate that policymakers renew funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program and find a long-term solution to support families most in need. People affected by the digital divide need policies in place to help stimulate the private investment needed to create more affordable, high-speed internet access.
There are several efforts to fund the program. The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act was recently introduced in Congress. This bill would provide an extra $7 billion to keep the ACP running.
Roughly 23 million Americans use the program and, if it runs out of money, they will see their bills increase. It is hoped that Congress will find a short-term or a long-term solution, such as a funding bill, before that happens. Though funding for this program is caught up in a bigger fight over federal government funding. For now, there is no timeline for when that will happen, leaving millions to face increased costs for Internet when the program ends.
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