Press Release:
FCC announces the winding down of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on January 8, 2024, the eventual winding down of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), due to lack of funds. Unless Congress passes a Bill soon, the ACP is expected to end in April 2024.
The value of the ACP was born out of the Covid-19 pandemic, at first was called the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB). It was subsequently re-funded in 2022 and renamed to ACP as one part of the Internet for All Initiative and the Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act. The success of the program itself is reflected in 23 million Americans signing up for it by the end of 2023, out of an estimated eligible 49 million Americans.
For qualifying households, the ACP allows discounts of up to $30 applied to internet service and up to $75 per month on Tribal lands. There is also a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop, or tablet from ISPs if they contributed between $10 to $50 towards the price to purchase it.
The final day to apply for the ACP is February 7, 2024. The final full month is April, 2024.
Resources:
ACP Wind-Down Fact Sheet [PDF]
California Broadband for All ACP Landing Page
FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel to Congressional Leaders urging new Funding Bill [PDF]
FCC Issues Formal Notice that April is the Final Full Month of ACP Program [PDF]