Everyone loses if the Affordable Connectivity Program ends

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was established to address one of the contributing factors to the US digital divide—monthly affordability of services. The initial $14 billion that once sounded like a generous investment toward these concerns is now expected to run out. After a year of predictions that high enrollments would lead to this moment, Congress has finally started to take notice. On January 10, a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators introduced the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act to provide temporary relief of $7 billion from Treasury funds. The ACP also is critical to the achievement and sustainability of the much-anticipated broadband infrastructure goals, which will benefit both red and blue states. Allowing the ACP to sunset will have negative impacts on the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, internet service providers, and national and community-based digital equity organizations. Saving the ACP should be based on what has become a known fact: being connected to the internet really matters in an increasingly digital society.