The ACP has Been a Success, but Closing the Digital Divide Requires Future ACP Funding

On June 14, 2023, the White House kicked off a “week of action” devoted to raising awareness and enrollment for the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”). Nationally, only 18.7 million of the eligible 52 million households (35.8%) are enrolled in the program. This is a truly outstanding achievement for a program that is only a year and a half old. Though there are countless examples of how beneficial the ACP is for communities nationwide, there is a danger the ACP may not last much longer. Current estimates predict that ACP funding will be depleted by the second quarter of 2024. In order to fund the program for the next five years, some suggest that the ACP will need an additional $30 to $35 billion. While the program was passed with bipartisan support, there are concerns from some lawmakers about how the program has targeted new adopters versus existing broadband subscribers. This complicates extending funding as certain policymakers are likely to demand programmatic changes before agreeing to approve new ACP dollars. The ACP has been and continues to be a vital resource for millions of Americans nationwide. Without continued funding, millions of low-income consumers who rely on the program will not be able to maintain monthly subscriptions. Reaching the Federal Communications Commissions', White House’s, and Congress’ goals to close the digital divide depends on a fully funded ACP.