Want Free Internet?
It's More Accessible
than Ever
BUSINESS CENTS
Article by Broderick Johnson, executive vice president of public policy and digital equity for Comcast Corporation.
(BPT) - In the past few years, the United States has made significant progress in expanding access to high-speed internet. During the COVID-19 crisis, emergency relief rolled out for Americans who needed to stay connected from home. In the last two years, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the federal government has invested an unprecedented amount of money towards connectivity, including the launch of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides a $30 monthly subsidy for home internet to qualifying households.
And while the resources are there, getting families online remains part of the challenge - millions of Americans still remain unconnected at home, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). "As a society, it is imperative that we work together to help people connect to the transformative power of the internet at home," says Broderick Johnson, executive vice president of public policy and digital equity for Comcast Corporation.
"The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for millions of Americans to get online for little to no cost, but connectivity is just the beginning. It's critical for service providers like Comcast to continue to partner with nonprofit organizations across the country to deliver digital literacy skills training so more people can learn how to take full advantage of everything the internet has to offer."
What is the ACP?
The ACP is a benefit program that helps ensure every household can afford the broadband connection. For eligible households, the program provides a credit of $30 per month toward internet service, or $75 per month for those on Tribal lands.
Who qualifies for the ACP?
You are eligible to use ACP benefits if your income is 200 percent or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. When you apply, you may have to show proof of income. You are also eligible if you or someone in your household participates in any of these programs: