WILMINGTON, Del. — The Biden administration announced on Monday that 20 internet companies have agreed to provide discounted service to low-income Americans, a program that could effectively make tens of millions of households eligible for free service through an already existing federal subsidy.
The $1 trillion infrastructure package passed by Congress last year included $14.2 billion funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides $30 monthly subsidies ($75 in tribal areas) on internet service for millions of lower-income households.
With the new commitment from the internet providers, some 48 million households will be eligible for $30 monthly plans for 100 megabits per second, or higher speed, service — making internet service fully paid for with the government subsidy if they sign up with one of the providers participating in the program.
Biden, during his White House run and the push for the infrastructure bill, made expanding high-speed internet access in rural and low-income areas a priority. He has repeatedly spoken out about low-income families that struggled finding reliable wi-fi, so their children could take part in remote schooling and complete homework assignments early in the coronavirus pandemic.
“If we didn’t know it before, we know now: High-speed internet is essential,” the Democratic president said during a White House event last month honoring the National Teacher of the Year.
The 20 internet companies that have agreed to lower their rates for eligible consumers provide service in areas where 80% of the U.S. population, including 50% of the rural population, live, according to the White House. Participating companies that offer service on tribal lands are providing $75 rates in those areas, the equivalent of the federal government subsidy in those areas.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday were set to meet with telecom executives, members of Congress and others to spotlight the effort to improve access to high-speed internet for low-income households.
The providers are Allo Communications, AltaFiber (and Hawaiian Telecom), Altice USA (Optimum and Suddenlink), Astound, AT&T, Breezeline, Comcast, Comporium, Frontier, IdeaTek, Cox Communications, Jackson Energy Authority, MediaCom, MLGC, Spectrum (Charter Communications), Starry, Verizon (Fios only), Vermont Telephone Co., Vexus Fiber and Wow! Internet, Cable and TV.
American households are eligible for subsidies through the Affordable Connectivity Program if their income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or if a member of their family participates in one of several programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) and Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.
redcairo on May 12nd, 2022 at 21:59 UTC »
This is confusing because I work in the industry and there has been a gov't program -- used to be higher $ than this until I think March of '22 -- to do this for years now, happened shortly after Covid-19 and in response to it. The only thing new is that for '22 it rolled out of being called one thing, and into being called another thing that had lower dollar amounts provided (now it is ACP Benefits Program) (the $ coverage did not reduce for 'tribal lands' coverage however) (the coverage however 'rolled over' for people from one program to the other). So this is presented like, "New idea to give away internet" but really it's "program that was part of a C19 package for years now, and it is already into its slightly reduced continuation" but is being marketed like it's some new thing. All the internet companies use this to basically try and get new customers or even have them upgrade if existing, because the government is paying most or sometimes all of the bill, but the internet corps are making the money. So they do sales with this as the lead.
SuperMazziveH3r0 on May 12nd, 2022 at 19:20 UTC »
What if we got rid of the internet monopolies instead of doing a bandaid welfare program
MisterFingerstyle on May 12nd, 2022 at 18:02 UTC »
I wouldn’t qualify because of my income but I’m certainly not rich. I live in a relatively rural area with no competition from different Internet providers. Our Internet bill is ridiculously high and much more than it would be in a large city. Obviously with so much happening online these days there is no way for me to go without Internet at home, Please just make Internet a utility.