More than a dozen internet service providers have agreed to continue offering discounted internet plans to low-income households through the end of 2024 as a federal discount subsidy program ends, the Biden administration announced Friday.
AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Spectrum, Verizon and nine other providers will continue to offer plans under $30 to users currently enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program and other eligible households.
Other participating providers include Allo Fiber, altafiber (and Hawaiian Telcom), Astound Broadband, IdeaTek, Mediacom, MLGC, Optimum, Starry and Vermont Telephone Company.
The Affordable Connectivity Program, which has provided broadband discounts to more than 23 million households, will stop providing discounts entirely from Saturday due to a funding shortage.
Some households will keep their low-cost internet plans under newly announced contracts with providers, but the Biden administration has again asked Congress to pass an additional $6 billion to extend the program.
“It is unfortunate that the FCC must end the most successful broadband affordability program in our nation’s history,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a letter Thursday to Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee.
“Demand remains strong for ACP and the consistent, reliable benefits it provides to help low-income families in rural, suburban and urban America get connected and stay online,” Rosenworcel added.
