More than a dozen internet service providers have agreed to continue offering discounted internet plans to low-income households through the end of 2024 as the federal program subsidizing the discounts comes to an end, the Biden administration announced Friday.
AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Spectrum, Verizon and nine other carriers will continue to offer their $30 or less plans to those currently enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program and other eligible households.
Other participating providers include Allo Fiber, altafiber (and Hawaiian Telcom), Astound Broadband, IdeaTek, Mediacom, MLGC, Optimum, Starry and Vermont Telephone Company.
The Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided broadband discounts to more than 23 million households, will end benefits completely starting Saturday due to a lack of funding.
While some households will maintain their low-cost internet plans under the recently announced agreements with providers, the Biden administration once again called on Congress to approve an additional $6 billion in funding to expand the program.
“It is unfortunate that the Federal Communications Commission must end the most successful broadband affordability program in our nation's history,” FCC Chairman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote in a letter to Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) on Thursday. Joyce is chairman of the House Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.
“There remains a tremendous need for the ACS and the consistent, reliable benefits it provides to help low-income households in rural, suburban, and urban America get and stay online,” Rosenworcel added.
