The Biden administration is partnering with internet providers to lower high-speed internet costs for millions of American families, the White House announced Monday. The Affordable Connectivity Program will provide internet service plans with at least 100 Megabits per second for no more than $30. An estimated 48 million Americans will qualify.
“High-speed internet service is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity,” the White House said. “But too many families go without high-speed internet because of the cost or have to cut back on other essentials to make their monthly internet service payments.”
Twenty internet providers, including national companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon have committed to the program.
Americans will soon be able to visit www.getinternet.gov to determine their eligibility and sign up for the program. Those who receive benefits, such as the Pell Grant, Medicaid, or SNAP may qualify.
Agencies overseeing these programs will reach out to recipients of these benefits to see which households qualify for the ACP. Eligible households may also receive notifications from city or state agencies.
Experts estimate that 48 million households—or nearly 40% of households in the country—qualify for the ACP either because their income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level or because a member of the household meets at least one of the other eligibility criteria.
The ACP is one part of the President’s strategy to lower the cost of high-speed internet for all Americans. New grant programs providing tens of billions of dollars for broadband infrastructure construction will require providers to offer affordable internet options. New rules will soon require providers to display a “Broadband Nutrition Label” that will make it easier to comparison shop for the best deal on internet. The FCC has adopted rules to ban sweetheart deals between internet providers and landlords that restrict the internet options available to millions of Americans who live in apartment buildings. And the administration says it aims to drive down prices and improve service by encouraging increased competition.
