Affordable Connectivity Program to End Soon Barring Congressional Action

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced requirements and guidance for the wind-down of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).  The FCC currently projects that the last month for which the ACP can fully reimburse providers for the ACP benefits provided to enrolled households is April 2024. Should Congress not appropriate additional money, the existing funds will be exhausted, the FCC will have to end the ACP, and providers will stop providing discounts to enrolled households. The FCC  nonetheless remains dedicated to providing ACP households an orderly transition out of the program and, more importantly, to keeping as many ACP households as possible connected to broadband service after the end of the program. To prepare low-income households and broadband providers, as well as the organizations that help support eligible households’ enrollment, and as required by the FCC’s delegation to the Bureau in the ACP Order, the Bureau announced ACP wind-down procedures. These procedures include the process for notifying enrolled ACP households about the impact of program termination on their broadband service and bills and the freezing of new enrollments in the program.  This Order also offers guidance to providers regarding advertising, awareness, and outreach requirements; the timing of claims submissions; and participation during a possible partially funded month of ACP.  The FCC also encourages providers to help ACP households transition to providers’ own low-income internet offerings.