Households used to receive discounts of $30 to $75 under the program.
Telecom companies are notifying customers about the end of a subsidy program that provided cheap internet to Americans, which could push up internet bills for millions.
However, the $14.2 billion in funding that Congress made available for the program is running out.
April will be the last month that ACP households will receive the full discount. In May, it will be reduced to a partial discount. After May, no more discounts will be offered if Congress does not replenish the program’s funding.
Telecom companies have been notifying ACP customers about the impending end of their discounts, with some offering alternatives.
A spokesperson from AT&T told the news wire that the company is pushing the administration for a more permanent solution on the issue.
T-Mobile told Nexstar that it was getting in touch with households who will be impacted by the end of the ACP program. Like other telecom firms, T-Mobile also offers low-cost plans that could help households deal with the end of ACP discounts.
With ACP ending, many Americans now face a tough choice to cut down their expenses elsewhere to pay for higher internet bills.
Households Struggle
According to a survey by Benenson Strategy Group in collaboration with Comcast, “there is widespread concern that loss of the ACP would mean job losses and losing access to health care” for households benefiting from the program.
“65 percent of ACP Participants fear losing their job or their household’s primary source of income … 75 percent of ACP Participants fear losing access to important healthcare services, like online appointments or prescription medicine refills … 81 percent of ACP parents worry about their children falling behind in school.”
Among ACP demographics, 49 percent were found to be military families, 19 percent were households with seniors, and 26 percent were located in rural areas.
“School REQUIRES internet access. The days of a book for each subject, worksheets, and a pen or pencil are gone. Some [kids’] parents cannot afford the costly internet or it’s at least bottom of the ‘important bills.’ However, every child in school NEEDS internet connection. It is the most important factor for children in school,” a single mom said in the survey.
“Households who struggle to afford broadband shouldn’t have to sacrifice other necessities to stay connected. The Affordable Connectivity Program has proved to be so necessary that it is facing a funding cliff. But, the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act could stop families from falling off. We are grateful to the bill sponsors for looking out for families in need.”
Original News Source Link – Epoch Times
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