A new plan is in place to revive the Affordable Connectivity Program, an initiative introduced during the pandemic to provide discounts on high-speed internet access for low-income households in the US. The program, which was at risk of running out of funding at the end of April, is being supported by a bipartisan group of senators led by Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico. They are proposing to allocate $6 billion through a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization measure to fund the ACP and other telecom programs. This initiative aims to benefit over 23 million households and more than 55 million people, providing them with access to better-paying jobs, education, and economic mobility.
The proposed measure also includes support for the Federal Communication Commission’s “rip and replace program,” which refunds US telecom providers for removing equipment from Chinese manufacturers like Huawei and ZTE. The FCC has requested around $2 billion from Congress to strengthen this program, which has been active since 2020. Additionally, the amendment empowers the FCC to reauction spectrum licenses to improve internet speeds and network responsiveness for the public.
The Biden administration has shown a commitment to expand broadband access, with President Biden emphasizing the importance of high-speed internet as a necessity, not a luxury. He has called on Congress to reinvest in the ACP to ensure continued support for low-income households in gaining access to essential connectivity services.
