End of ACP like a 'promotional roll-off,' Comcast CFO says

With the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) increasingly likely if Congress does not quickly step in with more funding, broadband operators are adjusting their game plans to continue to serve customers who have been benefiting from the program. Comcast, which has about 1.4 million customers on ACP, is no different. But the company intends to play defense and offense if and when the ACP goes away, said Comcast CFO Jason Armstrong. On the defensive side, Comcast intends to offer customers access to Internet Essentials, a program for qualified low-income households that starts at 50 Megabits/second for $9.95 per month. While acknowledging that the end of ACP will no doubt be disruptive to some of Comcast's customers, Armstrong likened the ACP situation to a "promotional roll-off" that Comcast sees each and every quarter as customers come off of various promotions and limited discounted offers. But the possible end of the ACP also presents some opportunities for Comcast to go on offense and win "jump balls" that are triggered as consumers seek options outside of the program.