States are Relying on the Federal Affordable Connectivity Program to Close the Digital Divide

With the common aim of ensuring that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy, each of the 50 states is currently drafting a digital equity plan through what one official called “the largest demonstration of participatory democracy that our country has ever seen." The states are tasked with developing long-term objectives for closing the digital divide by addressing the needs of eight "covered populations"—including low-income households. Several states have released their draft digital equity plans and one tool they all rely heavily on for connecting—and keeping connected—low-income households is the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). However, estimates from the Federal Communications Commission project that funding for the ACP could run out within the next year. Also see:

• Louisiana is Depending on the ACP to Eliminate the Digital Divide
• ACP Key to Montana's Digital Opportunity Plan
• The Single Most Impactful Affordability Asset Currently Available to Utahns is the ACP
• West Virginia's Vision for Digital Plan Depends on the Affordable Connectivity Program
• Wyoming Relying on ACP for Affordable Broadband