ACP Consumer Survey

In December 2023, the Federal Communications Commission conducted a survey of Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) recipients to enhance its understanding of the program's impact and how the end of the program may impact access to broadband services. Survey respondents were also given the opportunity to submit written responses to questions about how losing ACP support would impact them. Many said they would "take money from other bills" or "cut other basic expenses," like food or gas, if "their monthly internet bill were $30 higher." Many other respondents said they would "go without" internet or that they would have to "drop the service." Highlights of the survey included:

• More than three-quarters (77 percent) of the survey respondents say losing their ACP benefit would disrupt their service by making them change their plan or drop internet service entirely.
• About half of survey respondents (47 percent) reported having either no internet service or relying solely on mobile internet service prior to receiving their ACP benefit.
• Over two-thirds of survey respondents (68 percent) reported they had inconsistent internet service or no internet service at all prior to ACP. The majority of this group cited affordability as the reason for having inconsistent or no service (80 percent).
• ACP subscribers reported that they use their ACP internet service to: schedule or attend healthcare appointments (72 percent), apply for jobs or complete work (48 percent), do schoolwork (75 percent for ACP subscribers 18-24 years old).