The Benefits of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a the most successful broadband adoption program to date in the USA. Created as a part of federal response to Covid-19, the program offers eligible, verified households a monthly voucher of $30 to support their choice of broadband internet service (up to $75 per month on Tribal lands) and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. Some 23 million of an estimated 50 million seniors, veterans, students, and other Americans have benefitted from the program. ACP expired in early 2024, and policymakers from both sides of the aisles are committed to creating a sustainable funding source which does not burden taxpayers or future generations.

1. The affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is America’s best anti-poverty program for the money. People use their broadband connection to get a job, start a business, work from home, and learn new skills. Broadband also helps people make more efficient use of resources, for example access telehealth online rather than in person. Some 15 million households with K-12 aged children could take advantage of ACP to learn from home and conduct home schooling.
2. Like school choice, ACP offer broadband choice. People use the voucher to select their preferred broadband provider and technology, creating competition in the broadband market.
3. ACP reduces government bureaucracy with a Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Model. The ACP broadband voucher goes directly to the eligible, authenticated user without federal or corporate intermediaries.
4. Policymakers from both parties are committed to developing innovative, sustainable business models to fund ACP through support from the enterprises which profit from connectivity and thus avoiding taxation and appropriations.
5. By promoting ACP, policymakers can sunset less effective subsidy programs, and reduce waste, fraud and abuse.

Learn more about ACP:

• The Growing Global Movement of Broadband Cost Recovery TPRC (July 14, 2023)
• Benefits of ACP Extend Beyond People Who Subscribe to Broadband Broadband Breakfast (June 29, 2023)
• The Economic Benefits of the Affordable Connectivity Program American Consumer Institute (April 28, 2023)
• GAO Highlights $14 Billion Broadband Subsidy Program’s Success And How To Improve (Jan. 31, 2023)
• Policy No-Brainer: Extend The Affordable Connectivity Program For 5 Years With $30 Billion (Sep 30. 2022)
• Low-Income California Families Deserve The Maximum State And Federal Broadband Discounts Possible (Sep. 12, 2022)
• Low Income Californians Need Full Access To State And Federal Broadband Programs (Jul. 18, 2022)

Empirical research on ACP:

• Hernan Galperin, Estimating participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) USC Annenberg (Oct. 27, 2022)
• Paul Garnett, Affordable Connectivity Program needs permanent funding The Hill (Jun. 24, 2022)
• John Horrigan, ACP Enrollment Performance Tool: Understanding Factors that Play a Role in ACP Enrollment Benton (May. 15, 2023)
• John Horrigan, Reimagining Lifeline: Universal Service, Affordability, and Connectivity Benton (Feb. 22, 2022)
• Kathryn de Wit Broadband Access Initiative, The Pew Charitable Trusts (2019)

Press:

• Looking ahead: Will Universal Service Fund reform finally happen? LightReading (December 22, 2023)
• Whatcha Gonna Do When the Well Runs Dry? Truth on the Market (May 10, 2023)