The Biden administration has announced deals struck with 20 different internet service providers to offer broadband access for tens of millions of Americans, millions of these plans qualifying for a $30/month cap for unlimited data. The deal was reached through bipartisan support between the Democrats and the Republicans.
The deal also stands in the face of the US being one of the most expensive countries in the world for broadband access. At present, it’s almost twice as expensive as the UK on a like-for-like package despite an aggressive marketplace.
Broadband access has also been called “the new electricity” by the Biden administration in terms of importance to everyday life. As such, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The White House made the following announcement today.
As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the President and Vice President worked with Democrats and Republicans to create the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which allows tens of millions of American households to reduce their internet service costs by up to $30/month (or $75/month on Tribal lands).
To ensure the most efficient use of those public dollars and to deliver maximum cost savings to families, the Biden-Harris Administration has secured commitments from 20 leading internet providers—covering more than 80 percent of the U.S. population across urban, suburban, and rural areas—to either increase speeds or cut prices, making sure they all offer ACP-eligible households high-speed, high-quality internet plans for no more than $30/month.
From large providers like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon serving dozens of states, to smaller providers serving rural areas like Jackson Energy Authority in Tennessee and Comporium in North Carolina, the commitments will allow tens of millions of ACP-eligible households to receive high-speed internet at no cost.
Some 48 million households – almost 40 percent of total US households – qualify.
The program is designed to help those most in need as well as those whose household income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level; or already qualify for an ISP’s existing low-income program; or who qualifies for one of the following programs:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
Medicaid
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools
Federal Pell Grant (received in the current award year)
Lifeline
Certain Tribal assistance programs, including Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Qualifying recipients can receive a discount of up to $30/month, and internet service providers have agreed to provide realistic speed service (100Mbps minimum) starting from $30/month for eligible households, making it free for some. Part of the deal is that there will be no data caps or hidden fees on these packages.
Check the link below for the full lost of participating internet service providers.
Via 9to5Mac and Whitehouse.gov