Washington County...Connected!

all things broadband in Washington County

(and beyond)

ACP ENROLLMENT ENDS FEBRUARY 7TH!

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

ACP enrollment comes to an end on February 7, 2024, so sign up now - you will still receive the benefit until funds run out (anticipated at the end of April/early May).

Brooke Hachey is the Affordable Connectivity Coordinator at Sunrise County Economic Council and she can provide 1:1 assistance with enrollment.

You can reach Brooke at 207-707-0962 or bhachey@sunrisecounty.org

MAINE DELEGATION SUPPORTS FUNDING THE ACP

In Maine, 95,000 households rely on the Affordable Connectivity Program ACP) and funds are expected to run out in late April.

On January 25, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance held a press conference to raise awareness of the ACP and the devastating impact on digital equity if Congress does not continue to fund the program.

FCC WINDING DOWN THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

In 2021, Congress established the ACP and appropriated $14.2 billion for the program. Current ACP funding is projected to run out at the end of April 2024.

As of January 2024, Congress has not appropriated additional funding for the ACP to keep the program going beyond April 2024.

As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down the ACP. Wind-down steps will result in ending the ACP at which time enrolled households will no longer receive the program discounts.

If Congress decides to provide more funding for the ACP, the FCC will provide further guidance and instructions on how the ACP will proceed at that time.

Thursday was the first day of the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). As you read this, one out of every six American households is being notified that their internet bill may soon spike and potentially become unaffordable. 

The ACP is a federal benefit that is currently helping 22.8 million low-income households afford internet service. However, the ACP is running out of funding. If Congress does not act soon, the ACP will end this Spring and the millions of people who rely on it will experience a sudden bill shock.

The National Digital Equity Center offers more than 40 free classes that are designed for the novice device user to the intermediate user. Classes are free for all Maine residents and can be taken in an online interactive format or in-person at locations across the state.

Is your community interested in digital equity and inclusion? Does your community have a location where an Affordable Connectivity outreach/enrollment event can take place? Would you like to know more about what broadband infrastructure improvements look like for your community? SCEC can assist - at no cost!