Congress Moves to Extend Affordable Connectivity Program with $7 Billion in Funding
Congress Moves to Extend Affordable Connectivity Program with $7 Billion in Funding
January 17, 2024
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The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) funding is set to run out completely in May. Without additional funding to continue, the largest and most successful broadband affordability program in U.S. history will not be able to accept new enrollments by early February. To avoid this from happening, Congress introduced the ACP Extension Act to preserve the program.
Under the ACP Extension Act, the program would receive an additional $7 billion in funding.
“We are at a critical time for this program. A loss of funding will mean a loss of trust in this public-private partnership that could squander this opportunity to close the digital divide,” explained Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Commissioner Anna Gomez.
The ACP supports eligible low-income households struggling to afford monthly broadband service with a mission to provide wireless internet for low-income households. Since replacing the Emergency Broadband Benefit program in late 2021, nearly 23 million households across rural, suburban, and urban America rely on the ACP for high-speed internet service needed for school, work, and healthcare.
“We have successfully connected millions upon millions of households to broadband services,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Disconnecting millions of families from their jobs, schools, markets, and information is not the solution. We have come too far with the ACP to turn back.”
Over 400 organizations, including CTIA, the Wireless Infrastructure Association, and the Fiber Broadband Association, and telecommunications service providers have all shown their support of the ACP Extension Act.
With ongoing federal budget negotiations, time will tell whether the ACP Extension Act succeeds and if ACP funding can continue into 2024 and beyond.