How the FCC could save the Affordable Connectivity Program

A number of former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials are pointing to expanding the Lifeline program, under the Universal Service Fund (USF), as the way to save a version of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and prevent tens of millions of people from losing access to the monthly broadband subsidy. One way the FCC could do that was outlined in a recent petition for expedited rulemaking filed by Conexon Partner Jonathan Chambers, who also previously served at the FCC. In that petition, Chambers urged the Commission to "initiate an expedited rulemaking proceeding to consider adopting a Home Broadband benefit as part of the Lifeline program to offset the adverse effects that will otherwise be caused by exhaustion of ACP funding." According to Chambers, the FCC could accomplish this in part by bumping the subsidy for a new Lifeline program-turned-"Home Broadband Benefit" by an additional $20.75 per month on non-tribal lands (plus the current $9.25 Lifeline subsidy) to equal the current ACP benefit of $30; and by bumping the tribal benefit to $55. That fix wouldn't account for all ACP participants – particularly with a significant portion currently using the ACP for mobile. But it would help many.