NDIA Encourages FCC to Engage Trusted Community Organizations in ACP Outreach

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) encouraged the Federal Communications Commission to involve trusted community organizations in outreach efforts for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). NDIA submitted comments to the FCC regarding the implementation of an ACP outreach grant program and a pilot program focused on promoting ACP enrollment among households participating in Federal Public Housing Assistance programs In addition to the $14.2 billion Congress provided to the FCC for the ACP through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Congress also provided the FCC the authority to provide grants to community based organizations for ACP outreach and engagement.  But the FCC has never provided grants like this before. So, when the FCC released the rules for the ACP program on January 21, they simultaneously released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the same document, asking for additional input on how they should best design and manage an outreach grant program. In the NPRM, the FCC also seeks additional feedback on a pilot program they plan to launch to increase ACP enrollment amongst Federal Public Housing Authority residents. NDIA submitted comments advising the FCC on best practices regarding the implementation of these two programs.