Low-income
Senate spectrum bill markup scrapped over partisan differences
The Senate Commerce Committee scrapped plans for a markup of wireless spectrum auction legislation that had already been punted several times. Sen Maria Cantwell (D-WA), attributed the markup’s cancelation to Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX).
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/benton_2_456.png?itok=MXRBAziC)
Do Companies Care About the Affordable Connectivity Program?
Your written testimony noted various affiliations. Which companies that receive ACP have you or your employers received funding from since the program’s inception?
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/Levin-Blair_6.jpg?itok=MZZygMis)
ACP and Broadband Adoption Research
At a recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing, one of the witnesses produced a study (the EPIC study) that concluded that ACP led to inflation in broadband services. In addressing your question of which studies Congress should rely on, I think the EPIC study demonstrates the very problem you raise.
Web Welfare Expired, and the Sky Hasn’t Fallen
The impossible has happened: A welfare program ended. Congress created a web-welfare program on an “emergency” basis during the Covid pandemic, and, in classic Washington form, politicians tried to make it permanent. They rebranded it the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and gave it billions in extra funding. The ACP paid its last benefits on May 31, and all funding for it has been exhausted. Are millions of people losing internet access? No. We knew that wouldn’t happen, even though ACP supporters were fearmongering that it would.
Newest FCC commissioner talks AI, internet affordability
At her first Federal Communications Commission meeting since gaining Senate confirmation, it became clear that Commissioner Anna Gomez would be a changemaker.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/Levin-Blair_5.jpg?itok=5yG-MWmi)
Lack of broadband in homes of children attending school will make the problems in our educational system worse, not better
I am confident in opining that the lack of broadband in homes of children attending school will make the problems in our educational system worse, not better. The fact that the problem of reading scores pre-dates the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) does not make it less of a problem. Nor does it address the question of whether ACP can be helpful in addressing low reading scores, particularly as artificial intelligence develops personalized ways to assist young readers in overcoming specific decoding problems that serve as barriers to their learning to read. Again, I would urge Congr
Sen Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Renew The Affordable Connectivity Program, Provide Low-Cost Internet To Nearly Two Million New York Households
Sen Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a video press conference to announce her bipartisan legislation to renew the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program that provides financial assistance to low-income households to help them afford high-speed internet.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/centracom.png?itok=o-o0DxGv)
CentraCom Announces Extended Broadband Discount For Current ACP Recipients
CentraCom, a leading provider of high-speed internet, phone, and TV services, previously announced the launch of its Extended Broadband Discount (EBD) program. This initiative is designed to bridge the gap for current Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) recipients after the FCC discontinued the program due to a lack of funding. Understanding the critical role internet access plays in today's world, CentraCom is committed to keeping its customers connected. The CentraCom EBD program extends a similar discount to current ACP recipients who are CentraCom subscribers.
All 51 New York City Council members back internet affordability program in new letter
All 51 New York City Council members have signed a letter imploring Sen Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to renew funding for a vital federal program that’s helped nearly 1 million low-income households afford internet service in the city by taking up to $30 off their monthly internet bills. Money for the $14.2 billion program ran out in April, threatening the progress that had been made in closing the digital divide over the past couple years.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/beeck%20center.png?itok=kWtQakKO)
NIST Launches Collaborative Research Effort on Digital Identity to Support Secure Delivery of Public Benefits
The US Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has launched a collaborative project to adapt NIST’s digital identity guidelines to support public benefits programs, such as those designed to help beneficiaries pay for food, housing, medical, and other basic living expenses.