FCC Commissioners Again Plead for Additional ACP Funding

On March 14, the Federal Communications Commission adopted its annual assessment of whether broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion. In addition to considering deployment of physical broadband networks, the FCC also examined broadband affordability, adoption, availability, and equitable access to determine whether broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion to “all Americans.” In their remarks explaining their support for adopting the report, FCC Commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Anna Gomez mentioned the wind down of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), the largest and most successful broadband affordability effort in U.S. history. As Congress considers providing additional support for ACP, the program is expected to run out of funding in the coming weeks.