The Biden administration announced on Monday that 20 internet companies have agreed to provide discounted service to people with low incomes, a program that could effectively make tens of millions of households eligible for free service through an already existing federal subsidy.
The $1 trillion infrastructure package passed by Congress last year included $14.2 billion funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides $30 monthly subsidies ($75 in tribal areas) on internet service for millions of lower-income households.
With the new commitment from the internet providers, some 48 million households will be eligible for $30 monthly plans for 100 megabits per second, or higher speed, service—making internet service fully paid for with the government subsidy if they sign up with one of the providers participating in the program.
Biden, during his White House run and the push for the infrastructure bill, made expanding high-speed internet access in rural and low-income areas a priority. He has repeatedly spoken out about low-income families that struggled finding reliable Wi-Fi, so their children could take part in remote schooling and complete homework assignments early in the coronavirus pandemic.
“If we didn’t know it before, we know now: High-speed internet is essential,” the Democratic president said during a White House event last month honoring the National Teacher of the Year.
The 20 internet companies that have agreed to lower their rates for eligible consumers provide service in areas where 80% of the U.S. population, including 50% of the rural population, live, according to the White House. Participating companies that offer service on tribal lands are providing $75 rates in those areas, the equivalent of the federal government subsidy in those areas.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday were set to meet with telecom executives, members of Congress and others to spotlight the effort to improve access to high-speed internet for low-income households.
The providers are 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.
American households are eligible for subsidies through the Affordable Connectivity Program if their income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or if a member of their family participates in one of several programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) and Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.
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Don’t tell me! More racial equity subsidies.
Why even bother making no-effort posts like this? The story clearly says this is for all low-income households.
Racial? Wow. No. Try socioeconomic.
In a day and age when schools expect kids to be able to get online more and more, this is something that makes sense. If not doing it through a direct subsidy, then a service should be provided through the Department of Education via public schools to ensure all school kids have access to the internet from home so as to be able to do things such as submit assignments or access school resources when necessary.
So, you are asserting that there are actual systematic racism issues causing a hyper majority of certain races in america to be on the lowest socioeconomic rung?
Very unlike your normal posts, Keith!
Joseph W. It doesn’t matter what the story says.
The Biden Administration has made everything about racial equity.
That is a,ways their priority when sett8ng up subsidy programs.
Brad J. We don’t need and can not afford a department of education dictating educational policies to the states. This is a matter that should be implemented
and paid for by the states.
James M. I am not asserting any such thing.
I’m saying educational matters should be left to the states.
Here’s what many on the left don’t get. The states are suppose to be the laboratories of innovation.