FCC launches the Affordable Connectivity Program

Key Takeaways

On December 31, the FCC officially launched the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a $14.2 billion program enacted under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program authorized under COVID relief legislation.

The ACP provides a long-term investment in broadband affordability and ensures households can access high-speed internet services that are essential for participation in virtual education, telehealth, work and more. The transition from the EBB program to ACP is now underway, and all households fully enrolled in the EBB program as of December 31, 2021, will continue to receive their current monthly benefit until March 1, 2022. Any household not enrolled in the EBB program as of December 31, 2021, will now need to enroll under the ACP, which they can do so here.

The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. More information about steps current EBB recipients must take to continue receiving the ACP benefit after March 1, 2022, will be available in the coming weeks.

The FCC is offering outreach materials and resources for all stakeholders interested in spreading awareness of the program. Counties are strongly encouraged to utilize these resources and communicate changes to affected residents to help ensure eligible households continue to receive this important benefit.

Additional Resources

• NACo Blog: FCC opens comment period for Affordable Connectivity Program established under IIJA (naco.org)
• NACo Blog: NACo teams with FCC to spread awareness of the Emergency Broadband Benefit program
• NACo Blog: FCC announces new resources and funding opportunities aimed at closing the homework gap during the COVID-19 pandemic (naco.org)