Can the Senate save the Affordable Connectivity Program?

A summary of a Wired article from the Benton Institute on Broadband & Society

There’s a new plan to revive the Affordable Connectivity Program, a pandemic-era initiative that provides low-income households in the US with discounts on high-speed internet access. A bipartisan group of senators, led by Sen Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) have proposed using a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization measure as a vehicle for funding the ACP and other telecom programs for a combined $6 billion. The coalition includes Sens J.D. Vance (R-OH), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Roger Wicker (R-MS). The measure also includes a provision for the Federal Communication Commission’s “rip and replace program,” which refunds US telecom providers for removing equipment from Chinese manufacturers including Huawei and ZTE from their networks and replacing it with less-risky tech. In early May, the FCC asked Congress for around $2 billion to help bolster the program, which has faced a shortfall.

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About Ann Treacy

Librarian who follows rural broadband in MN and good uses of new technology (blandinonbroadband.org), hosts a radio show on MN music (mostlyminnesota.com), supports people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota (elimstrongtowershelters.org) and helps with social justice issues through Women’s March MN.

2 thoughts on “Can the Senate save the Affordable Connectivity Program?

  1. why can’t government step up and put limits on cable companies like every thing else. Like mediacom raises your bill every year for no reason even if you have a agreement for like 2 years. Just with internet and my own modem my bill goes to $99.99 next month oh but getting 500 mbds and 2000 GB data a month instead of 300 mbds and 1500 GB . I barely use around 500GB a month and that’s steaming and wifi. But I don’t get a choice either pay it or cancel it. In apartment building you have mediacom or nothing at all so they got you and know it.

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