Statements on the end of Affordable Connectivity Program

“It is incredibly disappointing and just plain shameful that one of the most successful bipartisan programs to close the digital divide has lapsed. Every Congressional district in the country had constituents benefiting from this program, and still, Congress failed to deliver the funding needed to ensure that over 23 million households won’t lose connectivity. While the efforts made by the program's most ardent supporters in both Chambers were commendable, the resulting lapse of ACP makes it clear that the Congressional appropriations process is ill-suited for funding affordable broadband. Congress and the Federal Communications Commission must work together to find a long-term solution to broadband affordability. We will continue to urge both to expand the Universal Service Fund (USF) by widening the base of companies that contribute to it. At a time when the Administration is investing billions through the BEAD program, modernizing USF is the most logical and fastest way to ensure that the progress made through the ACP is not lost. In the meantime, every ISP that received money through this program should ensure that every customer connected through ACP continues to get a discount. In addition, the states must do everything in their power to ensure their customers don’t lose this critical connection to the modern-day information economy. We are facing another ‘kids doing homework in the Taco Bell parking lot’ moment, where over 23 million US households are in danger of losing affordable connectivity. Congress and the FCC must act with urgency to ensure millions of low-income households get and stay connected to broadband.” – Gigi Sohn, spokesperson, Affordable Broadband Campaign

“EducationSuperHighway thanks the members of both parties who have championed the Affordable Connectivity Program and fought to preserve it. Congress's failure to fund the ACP has dealt a significant blow to millions of Americans who will be cut off from vital online resources without affordable internet. It also represents a major setback in our efforts to close the broadband affordability gap, which accounts for two-thirds of the digital divide. The ACP is the nation's most successful broadband affordability program, helping more than 23 million households to get online and stay connected to the digital economy, education, healthcare, the social safety net, and critical government services. In 21st-century America, internet access is a gateway to opportunity, and we will continue in our advocacy for a permanent broadband benefit that ensures affordability is no longer a barrier to connectivity.” – Adeyinka Ogunlegan, Vice President, Government Affairs and Policy, EducationSuperHighway

"The end of the Affordable Connectivity Program marks a devastating loss for 23 million families who must now figure out how they will pay for essential internet access. The ACP's end also poses a tremendous loss for digital navigators, who spent time and taxpayer dollars building trust in communities left behind in the digital age. Congress allowed a bipartisan, bicameral effort to languish, further eroding the belief people have in those they send to the hallowed halls of the Capitol to serve the American public. Congress must fund the ACP in the short-term and find sustainable long-term funding to address the affordability gap that keeps millions of households on the wrong side of the digital divide. The digital equity movement working towards this goal will hold Congress accountable for their egregious inaction -- the issue is too important to be ignored." – Alisa Valentin, Broadband Policy Director, Public Knowledge

“The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) connected 23 million low-income households to essential internet service. Families struggling to put food on the table need ACP to keep them connected to broadband internet. Congress must act now to restore funding to ensure families don’t lose high-speed internet, which is essential to obtain healthcare, do school work, seek employment, and fully participate in society.” – Olivia Wein, Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center

"While the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program is a devastating loss for the over 20 million households that rely on it -- it can, and will be revived. Even a brief time without this subsidy will make clear what we already now: low-income households struggle to afford the internet. We urge Congress to promptly revitalize this program to ensure that their constituents can stay connected." – Jenna Leventoff, Senior Policy Counsel, American Civil Liberties Union

“We saw firsthand the impact the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) had on the 23 million households it helped connect to the internet. From Texas to Maine, and everywhere in between, the ACP expanded possibilities for millions of people who could count on a stable internet connection. The failure to renew the program is a devastating blow and will force millions to revert to a patchwork of sub-par solutions like hotspots, which are neither long-term nor robust enough for simultaneous family use. Because Congress failed to act, millions will now be forced to make the difficult decision of how they’ll fit something so essential into their tightening budgets. It’s beyond disappointing that Congress abandoned its duties and let the program lapse, but we won’t give up. We’ll continue to fight for a long-term solution to fund an affordable broadband program like the ACP because it was wildly successful and we know it worked”. - Amy Huffman, Policy Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance

“Despite more than 12 months of dedication from a bipartisan and bicameral cohort of lawmakers and more than 400 organizations representing a range of public, private, and community interests, efforts in Congress to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program have fallen short. This outcome is disheartening because we know ACP was benefitting millions of American families by making their internet plans a more affordable monthly expense. Without intervention, households participating in the program will immediately see their internet bills go up. We know cost is a key barrier to connecting low-income families to the internet, so without ACP we can expect most participating households to either downgrade or drop their plans altogether.” – Kathryn de Wit, broadband access initiative project director, The Pew Charitable Trusts

“The internet plays an essential role in Americans’ lives, so it is disheartening to see the end of a program that’s helped millions of low-income U.S. households get online. The Affordable Connectivity Program was not only key to closing the U.S. digital divide, it was a major driver in helping ensure that every American could reap the benefits of digital innovation. Without the ACP, many American families will miss out on the opportunities presented by the internet. They will be excluded from accessing AI-enabled tools, which require access to a fast internet connection. They will be left behind as the United States continues to digitize its public services—from opportunities to file taxes for free to applying for SNAP virtually. We hope Congress will take action soon to ensure affordable, quality internet for the Americans who relied on the ACP to get online.” – Lilian Coral, Head of OTI and Vice President for Technology and Democracy programs, New America

“We're disappointed that Congress has thus far failed to provide funding to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program. The ACP has made historic progress in closing the digital divide by connecting more than 23 million households to reliable, high-speed internet. Starting in June, millions of families will see their internet bills double and will have to choose between paying for internet service or other necessities like medicine or groceries. ACP has helped families secure consistent access to high-speed internet, enabling robust access to education, healthcare, and jobs; but ACP has an even broader impact. Our research found that essential institutions like hospitals, schools, and government can more equitably serve their communities if families have consistent access to high-speed internet at home. Our research also found that ACP could extend the value of Infrastructure Act investments in broadband networks by driving down costs to build networks, particularly in rural communities. Congressional leadership should move quickly to pass the bipartisan proposals to extend the program which have significant support in both chambers. When lawmakers return from recess, they still have an opportunity to extend ACP and aid millions of families struggling to stay connected to this essential service." - Amina Fazlullah, Head of Tech Policy Advocacy, Common Sense

“The ACP is one of the most successful programs ever in connecting households to affordable high speed Internet. However, if it is not refunded, it may be viewed as a program where billions of dollars were spent with a lack of foresight and will to plan for a long term funding solution. Without the ACP, State broadband offices are left to develop disparate affordable solutions of their own as required by BEAD. This has the potential to create additional confusion and mistrust among households and could distract States from focusing on other BEAD priorities; leading to delays in implementation. Congress must pass a bipartisan solution to fund the ACP immediately before trust is broken with millions of households across the country.” – Andy Stutzman, Executive Director, Next Century Cities

“Over twenty-two million people utilized the ACP to keep themselves connected. Now, those same households are faced with the impossible task of choosing between broadband services and other household necessities. Congress’ failure to act to refund the program before its lapse all but guarantees that some of those who are disenrolled from the program will not return. Not because of any programmatic changes in the future but because the trust between households and the FCC has once again been significantly damaged. For all the good the ACP has done and can do in the future, this lapse in the program will undoubtedly tarnish its name and prevent the same level of effectiveness in the future. Congress must act as quickly as possible to refund the ACP and minimize the harm consumers nationwide will experience as a result of the ACP’s end.” – Ryan Johnston, Senior Policy Counsel for Federal Programs, Next Century Cities

“The most recent American Community Survey estimates that around 40 million residents lack a home broadband subscription. That number strongly correlates with the number of residents living below the federal poverty line. In 2024, a home broadband connection is as important as water and electricity. Without sustainable funding for the program, families across the country will be forced to choose whether to cancel their broadband subscription or buy groceries. Immediate congressional support is vital to refund the ACP swiftly and effectively, minimizing the economic burden on already vulnerable households.” – Corian Zacher, Senior Policy Counsel for State and Local Affairs, Next Century Cities

“When over 22 million Americans enrolled in the ACP it meant that for many Americans, they were able to access the internet at home for the very first time. Millions of students could study at home for the first time; teens in rural communities were able to access critical mental health support via telehealth from their homes; working parents were able to take online classes at home. The ACP provided needed support and infinite resources to so many, that now, unfortunately, will lose out on those opportunities just as quickly as they became available. Americans deserve affordable high-quality access to the Internet. The ACP made that possible. While we figure out long-term solutions to closing the digital divide, let’s not create unnecessary gaps in access. Fund the ACP.” – Stacey Baxter, Program Manager, Next Century Cities

“As the NBA playoffs rage on, Congress is guilty of letting the clock expire without even taking a shot. Where was the sense of urgency over the past week, month, and even year? For 23 million households, this is a full-court failure. But for them, more than a game was at stake. Millions of Americans are losing access to telehealth services, to educational outcomes, to the ability to apply for work, and even to stay in touch with loved ones. That’s a flagrant foul, Congress.” – Drew Garner, Director of Policy Engagement, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

"For the past 16 months we have been raising the alarm on the risk of the Affordable Connectivity Program running out of funds. Well, the day is upon us, and it is unfortunate that the overwhelming collective support for the program was not met with swift action. Millions of families across the country have relied on this program for connectivity and because of Congress' inaction, they now face the risk of disconnection. While we are disappointed, we are hopeful that the bipartisan champions of the ACP will continue their steadfast work to find a solution and provide resources for this critical program to ensure there is not a long lapse in funding." – Angie Kronenberg, President, INCOMPAS​

“June 1 represents another unfortunate milestone for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). For months, the National Lifeline Association (NaLA) has worked in lockstep with dozens of coalitions, civil society groups, local and state leaders and industry stakeholders calling for Congress to fund the program. One in six households rely on the ACP to afford their broadband plans consistently. Tragically, without the support of the ACP, more than three-quarters of those households now expect to change or discontinue their plans altogether. While NaLA applauds the current work by bipartisan members of Congress to keep vulnerable and marginalized households connected, empty promises of action mean nothing to the families and individuals who will lose their internet access. But we want to be clear: a lapse in the ACP’s funding does not mean it is dead. We strongly urge Congress to move forward and fund this essential program in June.” – David B. Dorwart, Chair, National Lifeline Association (NaLA)