How much ACP exposure do big internet providers have?

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is in grave danger. According to estimates from the Federal Communications Commission, the program will run out of money in April. A wave of sudden disconnects associated with the program’s end could hit ISPs hard. But just how much exposure do they have? And do they have any plans in place to keep vulnerable customers connected? We took the subscriber question straight to the big guns and asked what plans they have for keeping subscribers connected in a post-ACP world. Here’s what they told us (and what we could dig up).

• Altice USA: “We are closely monitoring for updates and guidance on the future of the program and will keep our customers informed on how they can stay connected to their Optimum services as we continue to provide low-cost options to meet the needs of all our customers.”
• AT&T: CEO John Stankey said, "It's unfortunate we're at this moment" and advocated for regulatory reform of the various subsidy programs. A spokesperson declined to provide further detail about its ACP subscriber count.
• Brightspeed: Like its peers, Brightspeed kept mum about its subscriber figures but a representative confirmed it does indeed "have customers who depend on the Affordable Connectivity Program subsidy to afford internet connectivity." It advocated for an extension of the program. 
• Charter Communications: Charter has not disclosed its exact number of ACP subscribers but is one of the largest beneficiaries of the program. New Street Research estimated the operator has between 4.1 million and 4.8 million subscribers participating in the ACP.
• Consolidated Communications: Consolidated declined to disclose its ACP subscriber count but a representative told said, "The impact of ACP being discontinued will be limited on our business." 
• Cox Communications: A Cox representative said the company has less than 1 million ACP subscribers. In terms of what happens if the ACP ends, most of those currently receiving the subsidy “are eligible for our other digital equity programs that have existed for years.”
• Lumen: Lumen declined to provide an exact subscriber figure but stated ACP subscribers account for less than 1% of its consumer broadband business.
• Mediacom: Mediacom has less than 73,000 households enrolled in the ACP.
• Verizon: Verizon CFO Tony Skiadas said the operator’s ACP exposure is primarily in its prepaid mobile business, where it has approximately 1.2 million subscribers receiving the benefit. It’s exposure to subsidy participants in its post-paid mobile and Fios fiber internet businesses is “minimal,” he said.