What is Happening With the ACP?
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has entered its wind-down phase. Unless Congress takes action, it is estimated to run out of funds by the end of April 2024.
What Does This Mean for Me If My Household Has ACP?
Households with the ACP benefit will receive multiple notices from their internet provider about the end of the program. These notices may be sent by email, text, or in the post and may come with your bill or separately.
The first notice households will receive around January 25, 2024. This initial notice will tell households about the possible upcoming end of ACP and that this will impact the ACP households' internet bills.
The second notice will likely go out at the beginning of March, and the third notice will be sent out during the last month of ACP, which is predicted to be April. Both of these notices are required to tell households:
- that the ACP is ending
- the impact on your bill
- the date of the last bill you will receive that includes the ACP benefit
- that you may change your service or opt out of continuing service when the ACP ends
What Can I Do Now?
Review the information from your internet provider and the FCC to ensure you understand the ACP wind-down timeline. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which runs the ACP program, has gathered information about the wind-down process and the requirements for internet providers, which you can read. There is an FAQ webpage (language options are at the top right of the page) and a Fact Sheet (pdf) - English.
Contact Your Internet Provider
Call your provider before April 2024 to find out what your options are. Then inform them that you want to:
- Continue your current service after April 30, 2024
- Your internet bill will increase by $30/month after the ACP runs out
- Or cancel your service as of April 30, 2024
- The ACP allows households to cancel their internet plan at any time without paying a penalty fee
- If you want to switch providers, you will need to both cancel your current internet service and sign up with the new provider
Suppose you do not contact your internet provider. In that case, they will continue your internet service under the current plan, and your household will be charged the total price, without the $30 ACP benefit, after April.
Ask Congress to Fund an Extension of the ACP
A bipartisan bill to add funds to the ACP has been introduced to the House and the Senate. You can contact your Congress members by calling or email to ask that they vote to pass the funding extension. Anyone can do this whether or not your household receives the ACP benefit.