The FCC grants $66 million for the Affordable Connectivity Program. The program in question will help to boost the awareness of Affordable Broadband Program. According to the Federal Communications Commission, the Affordable Connectivity Program aims to “close the digital divide.”
The FCC grants $66 million for the Affordable Connectivity Program
The United States Federal Communications Commission wants to ensure that eligible Americans get access to internet service via the Affordable Connectivity program which is an initiative that the agency refers to as the nation’s “newest and largest” broadband affordability program. The FCC on Friday said that it plans to award roughly $66 million in grants in a bid to help drive the awareness of as well as the enrolment in the ACP.
Targeted Organizations of The Grant
The reported grants will be going to nearly 200 organizations in order to fund programs that will help to target historically underserved and unserved communities and regions. The groups that have been marked will be able to utilize the funds to “conduct digital campaigns, door-to-door canvassing, operate phone banks, distribute direct mail, host ACP application enrollment and outreach events,” the FCC said.
The FCC’s Release in Regard to the Development
“The Affordable Connectivity Program is the nation’s largest-ever broadband affordability effort, supporting internet connections in more than 16 million households,” Jessica Rosenworcel, chairwoman of the FCC in a release said. “That’s progress, but we want to do more to get out the word about this powerful program and reach families that may not know about this benefit. These outreach grants will help us expand awareness in more communities, so we can continue the work to close the digital divide.”
The FCC Is Planning On Releasing a New Improved Version of the Online Consumer Application
The FCC on its end is also planning on releasing a new improved version of the online consumer application in the next couple of weeks that will help to simplify the application and the whole enrolment process, the commission in a release said.
The ACP Program Replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The ACP program as you should know replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit program which is a program that sought to help low-income individuals and families during the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2021. The program as it is popularly known provides a discount of up to $30 monthly to eligible households toward internet services as well as up to $75 monthly for households on tribal lands that qualified.
The program also provides households that are eligible with a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet from participating providers but only in the event that they contribute $10 to $50 towards the buy price.
