NEWS

FCC Issues Notice, Hosting Webinar on Winding Down of Affordable Connectivity Program

Mar 6, 2024

On March 4, 2024, the FCC issued a Public Notice confirming that absent additional funding from Congress, April 2024 is the last fully funded month for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).  April will be the final month that households receiving the benefit will see it applied to their monthly internet bill and without renewed funding from Congress, the ACP will only be able to provide a partial reimbursement for May 2024.

ACP service providers are required to send notices about the program’s end no later than 15 days after the release of the March 4, 2024 Public Notice.

Mass Law Reform Institute has resources here via Mass Legal Help specific to Massachusetts residents who may be enrolled in ACP. According to an AARP survey, 78% of older adults surveyed say they support Congress continuing to fund the program. Those interested in advocating to Congress to fund ACP can find tools and information on DontDisconnectUs.org.

As part of its continued consumer education, the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) will host a webinar on March 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The briefing will be streamed live on www.fcc.gov/live and recorded and archived for public viewing available at fcc.gov/acp.

CGB’s Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division leadership will share the latest updates regarding the ACP Wind-Down, the release of new consumer education materials, a review of the program’s consumer protections, and how to solicit support from the agency outreach and engagement teams to minimize consumer confusion.

The ACP 60-day notice webinar will be webcast with open captioning and sign language interpreting at www.fcc.gov/live. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you if we need more information. Make your request as early as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted but may be impossible to fill. Send an e-mail to FCC504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice).

Registration is not required for this public event. For more information about the ACP Wind-Down, visit www.fcc.gov/acp.  The Order released on January 11, 2024, providing requirements and guidance for the ACP Wind-Down is available here.