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Op-Ed: Broadband providers use new FCC
program to close digital divide
[The Center Square] Johnny Kampis |
Taxpayers Protection Alliance
There isn’t a question
about whether or not to close the digital divide. The question is who
will accomplish that and how. Internet providers recently began
leveraging the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new Affordable
Connectivity Program (ACP) to offer free internet to eligible
households, helping to further close the digital divide. |
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 The program allows residents with an income at 200% or below
the federal poverty guidelines (or participates in such programs as SNAP,
Medicaid and WIC) to get a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband
service. That number rises to up to $75 per month on tribal lands. Eligible
households can also get a $100 discount on the purchase of a desktop computer,
laptop or tablet.
Thanks to some providers’ low-cost programs, the ACP results in
free broadband for many residents. For example, the Access program from AT&T,
which provides symmetrical upload and download speeds of 100 Megabits per second
for $30 per month, becomes zero cost under the ACP.
That program has been a big hit with customers, such as Atlanta resident Ebony
Ford, who said she lacked internet before signing up.
“It was the segue for me to be able to apply for benefits, look for childcare
programs, look for jobs, attend training,” she said. “It literally was my
foundation to be able to get back on my feet.”
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Other providers are using the ACP in similar
fashion to connect Americans. T-Mobile’s affordable access plan
includes 5 gigs of high-speed smartphone data. Subscribers can use
their $30 ACP benefit to pay for additional services without
reaching into their wallets.
The ACP replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit program initially
put in place to help households maintain internet connectivity
during the COVID19 pandemic. The ACP, created as part of Congress’
2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, has a budget of $14.2
billion. While the initial results and offerings from multiple
companies are promising, as with any taxpayer-funded program, there
needs to be oversight to ensure the funds are properly spent.
Johnny Kampis is director of telecom policy for the Taxpayers
Protection Alliance
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