Vice President Kamala Harris flags internet affordability issues

Vice President Kamala Harris called on all US internet service providers to back efforts to provide more affordable broadband options for consumers, as the Federal Communications Commission announced more than 10 million people have signed up for its Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Speaking at a White House event, Harris lamented statistics which show that 42 million people in the country still lack access to high-speed internet. She pointed to affordability as a key challenge and hailed the ACP enrollment figure as a “historic accomplishment” on the road to ensuring 100% of the country is connected. “There are so many reasons why it is so difficult for people in our nation to access reliable high-speed internet, and today we are here to talk about one of the most common reasons: Cost, the expense of it. Half of all the people who do not have high-speed internet say it is because the monthly cost is too high,” she said. “Thanks to the Affordable Connectivity Program, one in four American households are now eligible to receive a monthly discount on their monthly bill.” Launched at the end of 2021 to replace the earlier Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, the ACP offers a $30 per month discount on broadband service for most households or $75 per month for those on Tribal lands.