This story is part of CT Mirror Explains, an ongoing effort to distill our wide-ranging reporting into a "what you need to know" format and provide practical information to our readers.
Original reporting by Lisa Hagen. Compiled by Gabby DeBenedictis.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of CT Mirror’s Spanish-language news coverage developed in partnership with Identidad Latina Multimedia.
The Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided discounts on internet access and technology, aimed to get more people connected to the internet — particularly during COVID.
But funding for the program is running out, and it’s currently set to wind down at the end of May. Those who rely on the subsidy, including nearly 200,000 Connecticut households, worry what it will mean for future access to health care and education.
Here’s what to know.
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
The ACP provided discounts up to $30 a month — or up to $75 a month on qualifying tribal lands — with participating providers. It also gave a one-time $100 discount to buy a computer, laptop or tablet.
The program was implemented as part of the bipartisan infrastructure legislation passed in 2021.
Who benefitted from ACP in Connecticut?
People were eligible if their income was at or below 200% of the federal poverty line or if they are on Medicaid, nutrition assistance programs, or receive free or reduced school breakfast or lunch.
One in eight households across Connecticut receive the federal internet subsidies. And almost half of Connecticut enrollees are adults 50 and older, according to research from AARP.
Data from that report compiled up until October 2022 showed Connecticut enrollees using ACP subsidies to purchase more than 16,000 devices. The majority of those using the benefits resided in New Haven, Hartford, Waterbury, Norwich and Bridgeport.
What’s happening with the program now?
April was the last month of full benefits. For May, participating households are only getting partial subsidies. The maximum reimbursement will be $14 or $35 for qualifying tribal lands, and the connected device benefit was slashed to $47.
After May, the ACP will completely run out of money and stop providing benefits altogether.
Could ACP funding be restored?
Congress could pass more funding for ACP, but legislation to do so is unlikely to move fast enough before the end of the month and could stall during an election year.
The Federal Communications Commission, which set up the program, has been pushing Congress to keep it running through at least the end of the year. There are a few pieces of federal legislation, including some bipartisan proposals, to extend the ACP with either another $6 billion or $7 billion in funding. One proposal would result in a smaller group of people getting subsidies compared to how the plan is currently structured surrounding eligibility.
Is Connecticut taking other steps to improve internet access?
Legislators in Connecticut had hoped a wide-ranging consumer protection bill could help address the federal gap.
In an initial version, Senate Bill 3 would have required certain companies to charge no more than $40 a month with minimum speed requirements. The bill passed the state Senate despite facing opposition from some lawmakers and the telecommunications industry.
But the charging provision was amended and replaced with a study to be conducted on broadband access by the state’s consumer counsel office. The House debated the bill for a few hours but did not take a vote on the final day of the legislative session earlier this month.
Additionally, in March the National Telecommunications and Information Administration accepted Connecticut’s draft digital equity plan to help residents who lack connected devices and technical skills as well as to improve affordability.
Its main goals include developing digital skills training programs and providing technical support; making more state and local government services available online; and ensuring that all residents can afford internet service.
If the ACP lapses next month, advocates hope the digital equity plan can be a guide to figuring out which communities in Connecticut are unserved or underserved and potentially serve as a roadmap to taking up the issue of affordable broadband again during next year’s General Assembly session.