Upcoming policy issue

At the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, our goal is to make sure important technologies—from broadband to spectrum to emerging innovations like AI—are developed in the service of people and progress. Today, there is no better example of that challenge than the conversation around machine learning and artificial intelligence. Responsible AI innovation can – and will – bring enormous benefits to people. It is going to transform every corner of our economy, from advances in medicine to precision agriculture.

I am writing to provide an update on the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which is on the brink of shutting down due to lack of funding.  This program is the largest broadband affordability effort in our Nation’s history.  Today, more than 23 million households nationwide count on it to get online and stay online, including vulnerable seniors, veterans, school-aged children, and residents of rural and Tribal communities.

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

If Congress doesn’t act soon, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is expected to run out of money by the end of April, leaving millions of Americans without discounted internet services.

The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act, legislation that will facilitate the continuation of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through the end of 2024. The program is currently on track to shut down at the end of April, disrupting broadband access for tens of millions of Americans. The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Reps Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Yvette Clarke (D-NT) and has 215 additional cosponsors, 41 of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the availability and individual state allocations of approximately $811 million in funding to states, territories, and native entities to empower individuals and communities with the tools, skills, and opportunities to benefit from meaningful access to high-speed Internet service.

A group known as the "coalition of RDOF winners" has weighed in on whether the Federal Communications Commission should grant an amnesty period for providers to relinquish their locations awarded through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) in the interest of making those locations available for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program instead.

Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez and Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL) hosted a roundtable at the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) with Veterans Affairs (VA) social workers and community stakeholders to discuss the positive impact of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) on Veterans and their families. “The Affordable Connectivity Program is about making sure everyone, everywhere in this country has access to Internet service that connects them to economic and educational opportunity as well as healthcare services, for example connecting Veterans with VA appoint

We write in support of your ongoing focus on internet affordability as you work to administer the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program enacted in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  For years, Democrats and Republicans expressed concern over the digital divide, and the $42 billion investment in the BEAD Program gives us a real opportunity to finally bridge this divide and connect every American to high-speed, reliable, and affordable internet.

On March 20, 2024, Next Century Cities (NCC) met with the Federal Communications Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) staff regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program wind-down. NCC said the CGB must work closely with the Wireline Competition Bureau to craft wind-down guidance that ensures customers are protected. NCC also urged the Federal Communications Commission to require providers to disclose how a consumers bill will increase.