Affordable Connectivity Program Faces Funding Shortfall

Nearly 23 Million Households Risk Losing Internet Access as Bipartisan Effort Seeks Extension

Nearly 23 million households in the U.S. are at risk of losing access to affordable internet as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is set to run out of funding in April 2024.
The ACP, established in 2021, provides a monthly subsidy to low-income households and those living on tribal lands to help cover the cost of high-speed internet access.
Without the ACP, marginalized communities, including Black, Latine, Indigenous, rural, and low-income consumers, who are already less likely to have internet access, will be further disadvantaged.
The ACP Extension Act, introduced by a bipartisan group of legislators, proposes an additional $7 billion to keep the program funded through the end of 2024.
Internet access is critical for access to education, healthcare, job opportunities, and government services, and is considered a human right by many.