Approaching End of Affordable Connectivity Program in April, Partial Discounts in May Without Congressional Action

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which is a component of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill enacted in 2022, is approaching depletion as April comes to an end. This initiative provides low-income households with monthly discounts worth $30 on their internet bills. In May, eligible ACP homes will receive partial reductions from their service providers since Congress has yet to allocate additional funds for the program’s continuation beyond this month. After that point, such benefits shall become a thing of the past in case of lawmakers not opting further aid at all levels of government or otherwise deciding against any intervention by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as regards its ongoing funding. In anticipation of ACP’s closure, internet service providers must inform enrolled households about three separate notifications detailing how their services and bills would be affected upon termination of this scheme. Homeowners who want to learn more should reach out to their respective ISPs for further information regarding the end of the program. The Affordable Connectivity Program is just one element among many others within last year’s landmark infrastructure legislation that seeks universal broadband connectivity in every corner by 2030 as declared recently by President Biden himself, who has also pledged to provide free internet access for tens of millions of households through an existing federal subsidy with the cooperation of approximately twenty leading ISPs.