Affordable Connectivity Program (was Emergency Broadband Benefit Program)

ConnectWaukegan, a public-private broadband provider, conducted a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) Fixed Wireless prototype in Waukegan (IL) as a proof of concept. The research was done to present the findings and recommendations for potential leverage of CBRS Fixed Wireless capabilities to increase access to broadband by underserved residents in the city.

The Federal Communications Commission set guidelines for two pilot programs aimed at increasing both awareness of and participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households (and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands). On October 11, the FCC provided an update on the implementation of the pilot programs.

From an unnamed Comcast public relations officer: The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) program is an important opportunity to connect more Americans to broadband than ever before and to close the digital divide, and we’ve been working hard to get the word out locally. The programs were implemented with incredible speed by both the government and private companies, and while some bumps in the road were expected, we are working to address issues as soon as possible. We have worked consistently to simplify the processes for consumers while keeping the proper checks and balances in place.

Comcast’s entry-level internet service was not fast enough for Lia Moniz’s two schoolkids, so she upgraded to a faster connection that costs her more than $80 a month. A new Comcast offer, Internet Essentials Plus (IEP), has the potential to make Moniz’s internet free. IEP has the most bang for the buck. It offers speeds up to 100 megabits per second downstream and 10 megabits up, with free cable modem and Wi-Fi hot spot rental, for $29.95 a month. This is covered by the $30 Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit, so on the bottom line, it’s free.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) conducted an annual broadband survey in 2021. The survey asked folks who didn’t have home broadband what they would be willing to pay, with the question, “At what monthly price, if any, would your household buy home Internet service?” The purpose of the survey was to understand the kind of price points that might be needed to get broadband to more of these households. Three-quarters of respondents said they would only get broadband if it was free. I find this result to be troubling for several reasons:

About half of the Milwaukee (WI) households eligible for low-cost internet service are now enrolled in a federal program that offers it, but statewide enrollment is only around 25% and the program’s barely been used in many communities, according to new figures. Even in Milwaukee, where the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has been heavily promoted, thousands of eligible households haven’t signed up for the benefit that provides $30 a month toward the cost of internet service, also known as broadband.

EducationSuperHighway released its second No Home Left Offline report on the action needed to accelerate Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) adoption. Key report highlights include:

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau provided additional information concerning the Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Navigator Pilot Program, including guidance to assist prospective applicants in preparing to apply for participation in one or both Pilot Programs. The FCC expects to open the Pilot Programs’ application window, and expects the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau to release the Notice of Funding Opportunity (or NOFO) for Pilot Program funding, in November 2022.

Verizon announced that select 5G Home and LTE Home Internet services are available for free to qualifying households through the new Verizon Forward Program.

The US Department of the Treasury approved broadband projects in an additional group of three states under the American Rescue Plan’s (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF): Massachusetts, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Together, these states will use their funding to connect more than 91,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet. A key priority of the CPF program is to make funding available for reliable, affordable broadband infrastructure.