Congress Could Soon Decide Fate And Future of the Affordable Connectivity Program

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance estimates that the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will run out of money in 2024. However, a bipartisan coalition of 45 lawmakers are simultaneously pushing for the ACP to be funded by other appropriation measures currently in Congress. With widespread Congressional and industry support, it seems likely the ACP will be renewed—albeit probably after the September 30 deadline. But it also seems increasingly likely that renewal may come at the cost of one or several other federal broadband programs. Groups like the NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association–disagree, noting that the ACP and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Lifeline programs provide useful and decidedly different functions.