Bipartisan deal brings cheaper broadband to tens of millions of Americans

The White House has announced deals struck with 20 internet service providers to offer cheaper broadband for tens of millions of Americans – with millions qualifying for a $30/month cap for unlimited data. The initiative was made possible by bipartisan support …

Background

Despite competition, the US is one of the most expensive countries in the world when it comes to broadband. It is, for example, almost twice as expensive as the UK on a like-for-like package.

This is not a great situation for everyone, but it’s especially difficult for families that struggle to make ends meet. For example, most job applications can only be found online. There are also many educational resources that will help you lift yourself out of poverty.

The White House declared broadband last year “the new electricity”, describing its significance to daily life and announcing that it would be affordable for all. Republicans agreed, resulting in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Cheaper broadband for tens of millions

The White House made the 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% 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.

Do you qualify for lower broadband prices?

Some 48 million households – almost 40% of total US households – qualify.

The program is designed to target help where it is most needed: those whose household income is at or below 200% 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

All will qualify for a discount of up to $30/month, and ISPs have agreed to provide realistic speed service (100Mbps minimum) starting from $30/month for eligible households, making it free for some. These packages will not have data caps and hidden fees.

Check out the full list of participating ISPs, with links to the application process, on the White House website.

Photo: Patricia Prudente/Unsplash