Millions of low-income families could soon face steeper broadband internet bills

Over the past two years, millions of low-income US households have received broadband internet at a discount through two consecutive government programs. But they could soon lose that benefit. More than 16 million US households are currently enrolled in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) which offers a $30 discount on broadband services to qualifying low-income households. Funding for it is expected to run out in 2024. The program has signed up one-third of eligible households. Polling shared by the Digital Progress Institute, a bipartisan policy research firm, found that voters on both sides of the aisle largely support the continuation of the ACP. It is up to Congress to decide whether the program gets funded again. One of the deciding factors will be the efficacy of the programs over the past two years. However, two-thirds of the eligible population remain unenrolled. For some, the process of signing up, which requires submitting private information online, by mail, or on the phone with an internet service provider, feels too cumbersome or invasive.