Biden Administration Announces Discounted High-Speed Internet Program

A broadband Internet router in an undated file photo. Yui Mok/PA

The Biden administration announced on May 9 that it’s starting a nationwide program for high-speed internet at a discounted cost.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that President Joe Biden signed last year, with $14.2 billion of the bill’s $1.2 trillion in funds set aside for the program.

The plan will “ensure the most efficient use of those public dollars and deliver maximum cost savings to families,” according to a White House statement.

Under the plan, 20 leading internet providers have agreed to offer plans of at least 100 megabits per second for no more than $30 a month to qualifying households.

Internet purchasers must be at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level or participating in any of a list of federal aid programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid to qualify. That amounts to about 48 million households, according to a White House fact sheet.

A new government website, GetInternet.gov, will help people sign up. The administration says it’s also beginning outreach programs with state and local governments as well as private charity groups.

Comcast also issued a statement committing an additional $1 billion to “advance digital equity” through its Project UP.

“We’ve never been more committed to closing the digital divide and helping people get connected to the Internet through Project UP,” said Broderick Johnson, Comcast executive vice president of public policy and digital equity. “By working with our partners at all levels of government and within the community, we can accelerate our efforts to ensure everyone has access to the Internet and the skills they need to excel in today’s digital economy.”

“Today’s announcement is just one part of the president’s strategy for lowering the cost of high-speed Internet for all Americans,” the White House statement reads. “New grant programs providing tens of billions of dollars for broadband infrastructure construction will require providers to offer affordable Internet options.

“New rules will soon require providers to display a ‘Broadband Nutrition Label’ that will make it easier to comparison shop for the best deal on Internet.”

Participating companies include Allo Communications, AltaFiber (and Hawaiian Telecom), Altice USA (Optimum and Suddenlink), Astound, AT&T, Breezeline, Comcast, Comporium, Frontier, IdeaTek, Cox Communications, Jackson Energy Authority, MediaCom, MLGC, Spectrum (Charter Communications), Starry, Verizon (Fios only), Vermont Telephone Co., Vexus Fiber, and Wow! Internet, Cable, and TV.