Information provided by Monterey Bay Economic Partnership. Lea este articulo en español aquí.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a critical broadband subsidy that has helped bridge the digital divide for roughly one in six Americans, could be ending next month. Barring congressional action, the Affordable Connectivity Program — America’s largest and most successful broadband affordability program in the nation’s history — will stop accepting new applications and enrollments on Feb. 7, 2024.
Nearly 23 million eligible low-income U.S. households currently rely on the ACP to pay for the high-speed internet service they need for school, work, health care, and more. The $14.2 billion originally appropriated by Congress for the ACP is expected to run out in April or May. While Congress may yet appropriate additional funds, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proceeded as if the program will end.
Eligible households have until 8:59 p.m. PT on Feb. 7 to get enrolled and approved by a service provider to receive the ACP benefit. Eligibility details can be found here: https://www.internetforallnow.org/applytoday
“Access to affordable and reliable internet is essential to the quality of life and economic well-being in the Monterey Bay region, but too many households struggle to afford monthly broadband service,” said Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) President & CEO Tahra Goraya. “We must collaborate as a region to ensure that eligible households sign up before the Feb. 7 deadline, and to advocate for policies and programs that advance digital equity.”
Currently, enrollment lags behind eligibility: While 45 percent of households in the tri-county region are eligible for the ACP, just 30 percent have enrolled. In San Benito County, where 52 percent of households are eligible, just 34 percent have enrolled. In Monterey County, 47 percent of households are eligible, with 31 percent enrolled; and in Santa Cruz County, 42 percent of households are eligible, with just 28 percent enrolled.
California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) and MBEP are calling for all stakeholders (county/municipal staff, ISPs, CBOs, elected offices) from all three counties to get involved in raising awareness about ACP’s potential end, the wind-down timeline, and the Feb. 7 enrollment freeze, and to continue to work toward ensuring affordability of broadband services for our communities.
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