As ACP Funding Dwindles, What is the Future of Broadband Affordability?

Without congressional action, funding for the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will expire at the end of May 2024. With this in mind, the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Media and Broadband convened a May 2 hearing on 'The Future of Broadband Affordability' to discuss congressional funding of U.S. broadband programs and the potential impact of the end of the ACP with expert researchers, educators, and policy advocates in the field. During the hearing, senators considered the current state of broadband affordability and what lies ahead for broadband equity, access and deployment in the US. The witnesses at the hearing were:

• Jennifer Case Nevarez, Director and Lead Educator, Community Learning Network; Member of the Broadband and Digital Equity Support Team for New Mexico and the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion
• Kathryn de Wit, Project Director, Broadband Access Initiative, The Pew Charitable Trusts
• Blair Levin, Policy Advisor, New Street Research; Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Metro
• Dr. Paul Winfree, President and CEO, Economic Policy Innovation Center