The Affordable Connectivity Program is a new government program that is helping millions of Americans get online. However, Congress may soon let the ACP come to an end. If this happens, ACP enrollees, including over 22,000 low-income households in Pittsburgh and more than 65,000 households in Allegheny County, will see a sudden spike in their internet bills, resulting in disconnections, debt and throttled service. This process could begin as early as the upcoming holiday season.
Congress cannot allow this to happen. Internet access is essential to modern life. It should not be a luxury restricted to only those who can afford it. Passed as part of President Joe Biden’s 2021 bipartisan infrastructure legislation, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the ACP works by addressing the No. 1 reason people can’t get online — the high cost of internet service. A survey by Consumer Reports reported that nearly a third of respondents who lack a broadband subscription said it was because it costs too much, while about a quarter who do have broadband said they find it difficult to afford.
By tackling the underlying issue of cost and affordability, the ACP is helping to level the digital playing field and helping to overcome the systemic inequities that come along with lack of internet access. The ACP enables individuals to access essential online resources such as educational tools, job opportunities, health care services and more. The protection of the ACP is not only important for the millions of households that are already enrolled but also for those who are unaware of the program and have yet to enroll, as well as our nation’s efforts to expand broadband infrastructure to unserved, rural communities.
As leader of the Greater Pittsburgh Digital Inclusion Alliance, I coordinate with a network of more than two dozen regional nonprofit organizations that serve residents who need access to affordable internet, digital skills and economic opportunity. The GPDIA helps our member organizations address the issues of digital equity and access in their communities and raise awareness of the federal, state and regional support available to help these organizations succeed. Since the launch of the ACP in May 2022, GPDIA member organizations together with key regional stakeholders have been working to spread awareness and utilization of this vital program with great success.
The Biden administration followed through on its word to deliver for communities in need with the ACP by directly addressing one of the root causes of digital inequity. But the work is nowhere near done, and halting the program would leave millions of low-income households in both rural and urban communities behind. It is rare these days to find an issue or a program that has broad bipartisan support and can meaningfully improve so many people’s lives. So when such a program exists, we must find a way to make it successful.
I applaud the Biden administration’s inclusion of ACP funding in the most recent supplemental funding package and urge the administration to continue to take a leadership role in ensuring the ACP’s renewal. It has asked Congress for additional funds to strengthen the program by extending free and discounted high-speed internet for eligible households through December 2024. Funding this vital program will reinforce our commitment to fostering equal access and opportunities for all Americans, ensuring that they can continue to use technology to learn, work and thrive.
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Jennifer Blatz
Jennifer is the program director of the Greater Pittsburgh Digital Inclusion Alliance and state coordinator of PA Statewide Digital Equity Coalition.