FCC launches the Affordable Connectivity Program
Author
Seamus Dowdall
Upcoming Events
Related News
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)
Resource
Outreach Toolkit for Counties: The FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program
Related News
County Leaders Visit Washington to Share Local Perspective on Budget Reconciliation
Elected officials from five states sound alarm about administrative and funding changes to SNAP and Medicaid.
Senate Agriculture Committee releases reconciliation budget text; Contains changes to SNAP
On June 24, the Senate parliamentarian approved a new version of the benefit cost share provision. Under this revision, states may use either their FY 2025 or FY 2026 payment error rate to determine their required match for FY 2028. For FY 2029 and beyond, the match is based on the payment error rate from three fiscal years prior.
U.S. House passes rescissions package
On June 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Rescissions Act of 2025 (H.R. 4) in a narrow 214-212 vote. The legislation would cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved federal funding, marking the Trump Administration’s first formal attempt to codify funding cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).