Having easy accessibility to a high-speed internet connection at home and workplace opens up a world of opportunities. People from different walks of life, including sales, research, marketing, teaching, government, and businesses rely on modern means of technology and blazing-fast internet to meet their connectivity needs. While there are a plethora of internet service providers that guarantee a simple and seamless digital experience, online connectivity is not within the reach of low-income households.
In this digital age where the internet is considered a basic necessity, it is not equally accessible to the privileged and the unfortunate. With a large number of underprivileged having inadequate or limited access to the internet, several ISPs are offering affordable internet options, specifically tailored toward financially strapped households to provide them access to a multitude of digital resources. This way, even the unfortunate ones get access to substantial employment and education opportunities which eventually leads to improving their quality of life. To make the internet more accessible to low-income households, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. has created an Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
In this guide, we are going to give you an overview of the Affordable Connectivity Program, its eligibility requirements, the best ACP internet providers, and how this program helps connect low-income households to healthcare services, jobs, virtual classrooms, and more.
FCC launched the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): a benefit program specially designed to meet the connectivity needs of eligible households. To ensure they have adequate access to high-speed and affordable broadband services from different internet service providers.
This program ensures that every low-income household in the U.S. have access to broadband internet, regardless of the internet plan and provider they choose. With the ACP program, qualifying low-income families get a discount of up to $30 per month. And the households on qualifying families of Tribal lands get enhanced support of up to $75 toward internet service. Besides that, the program includes a one-time discount of up to $100 on a tablet, laptop, or computer through a participating provider. The offer requires the consumer to pay a copay between $10 and $50.
Since the ACP program aims to offer financial assistance of up to $30 to low-income families toward any broadband internet plan, most ISPs have created ACP-specific internet plans priced around $30. The ACP internet providers cannot enforce the ACP recipients into using high-priced or low-quality plans just to receive their discount. The providers must offer discounts to new and existing subscribers. The best part about ACP is that it gives its recipients the ultimate freedom to choose the ISP and plan that perfectly fits their unique needs.
There are hundreds of internet service providers participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program to meet the connectivity needs of financially strapped U.S. residents. However, which ISPs you can sign up with, depends on their availability in your area. Plus, you must go with the best option available to you. Therefore, we have put together a list of the best ACP internet providers to ease your decision-making process.
If you successfully qualify for the ACP program, you must apply for the program and also get in touch with the participating provider in order to choose a service plan. The ACP plans come with an internet speed of around 100 Mbps, which is sufficient for small to mid-sized families to indulge in online activities, such as browsing, streaming, checking emails, gaming, paying online bills, taking virtual classes, and working remotely.
Here is a quick list of ideal internet service providers you should opt for:
If you are wondering how you can qualify for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), know that you may be eligible for the program if you meet at least one of the criteria below:
(Important Note: To apply for the ACP plan, you may be required to show an official document, a card, or a letter to prove your participation in one of the aforementioned programs)
To enroll in the ACP program, here are two simple steps that you need to complete:
People from all walks of life have an innate desire to unlock the limitless opportunities internet service providers have in store for them. But low-income families stay deprived of their digital needs. To help the unprivileged people gain access to virtual classes, healthcare services, and jobs, FCC has introduced the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to ensure that eligible households stay connected with the world, can learn virtually, and brush up their digital skills to move up the career ladder.
As the primary goal of Affordable Connectivity broadband is to make broadband connections affordable for low-income households, access to a reliable internet connection is no longer a dream for fixed-income families.
Yes, qualifying low-income families can enjoy the benefits of ACP even when their bill is due.
Yes, all eligible existing and new customers of participating providers can apply for ACP. If you are lucky enough to be already a subscriber to a participating provider, there’s no need to switch your provider to get low-cost internet plans.
You need to apply for ACP by filling out the form and contacting your provider to ensure that they apply a discount (also known as ACP credit) to your bill.
Yes, the ACP contains consumer protection to ensure that the participating providers don’t refuse the benefits of the program to eligible families. The protection also prohibits the participating providers from rejecting applicants based on their past-due bills. The best part is, the program offers discounts to all new and existing customers. On top of that, the providers cannot force the subscribers into high-priced or poor-quality service in the name of discounts.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact your provider’s customer service at 855-349-9328.