Internet access isn’t a luxury—it’s a ‘must have.’ The Affordable Connectivity Program is crucial

Reliable internet is a basic need for families today. For thousands that access is made possible through government support programs. One of the most important of these is the Affordable Connectivity Program or ACP, which helps bridge the digital divide significantly. ACP has provided in-home internet access to more than 23 million households in the United States—including more than 400,000 in Missouri and 150,000 in Kansas—when people needed that connection most. Without the additional help that ACP provides, many families, students, veterans and older adults are very much at risk of losing this essential connection. Despite being an almost universally popular bipartisan program with supporters at every level of government, no additional funding has been allocated so far to ensure the ACP’s continuation. The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 was introduced on Jan. 10 with bipartisan support in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. If passed, this legislation would provide the critical funding to extend the ACP through the end of the year. To date, more than 400 organizations and industry leaders have voiced their support, but our elected officials also need to hear from their constituents.

[Carrie Coogan is deputy director of public affairs and community engagement at the Kansas City Public Library. Tom Esselman is executive director of Kansas City’s Digital Equity Program Office.]