With Funding for ACP Up, Supporters Push for New Money, Better Access for Low-Income Families

Now that the federal Affordable Connectivity Program has run out of money, advocates for it are calling on the passage of a new funding bill—and some changes to the program. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was part of the landmark 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It earmarked $14.2 billion to help lower the costs of broadband. As of May 31, 2024, the program is out of money. “I think rural America will be quite harmed by the sudden loss of the Affordable Connectivity Program, both internet service providers who are counting on this to help them pay for big investments they’ve made, and obviously the homes that are disconnected,” said Christopher Mitchell, director of the Community Broadband Networks at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Bipartisan legislation has been introduced into Congress to extend funding but it has not gotten anywhere. Mitchell said he doesn’t like to be partisan but sees that Republican lawmakers are stopping the legislation from moving forward.