The White House stated on Monday the Biden presidency received promises from 20 ISPs to raise speeds or reduce rates.
This is so millions of qualified U.S. families can get free high-speed internet.
The promises expand upon the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), established by the bipartisan infrastructure law. It gives qualified households a $30 monthly discount on their internet expenses.
Affordable and Faster
High-speed internet is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.
But today, too many families simply can’t afford it.
That’s why in November, when we passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we created something called the Affordable Connectivity Program. Here’s how it works.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 9, 2022
Biden described the demand for high-speed internet as “quite significant” and stated it is not a luxury, but a need.
As a result of the additional promises announced on Monday, all ACP-eligible homes will have access to high-speed, high-quality internet options for no more than $30 per month.
“You may have received or used slow speeds, or you may have had to pay more out of pocket to obtain the desired speed.”
According to senior government officials, the Biden-Harris administration collaborated with the private sector to address this issue.
About 48 million homes, or approximately 40% of U.S. households, are qualified for the ACP. More than 10 million U.S. households were registered in the program, as of February.
20 internet providers have agreed to either increase speeds or cut prices, and to offer enrollees of the Affordable Connectivity Program with high-speed internet plans for no more than $30 a month, administration official says. https://t.co/3fyjMe4wN2
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) May 9, 2022
Biden and Harris will unveil reduced high-speed internet charges on Monday.
This is part of their attempts to reduce costs for American households in the face of increasing inflation, which has negatively affected Biden’s support ratings.
Increasing broadband connectivity for Americans has been a component of the president’s domestic policies. The bipartisan infrastructure plan included $65 billion to extend access to broadband internet throughout the United States.
“Now, too many families cannot afford to connect, even if they have the opportunity to do so. Therefore, people do without high-speed internet or sacrifice other essentials to make it work,” Biden added.
“In the past, $30 per month implied you had to settle for a slow internet connection unless you were willing to pay a great deal more out of pocket,” he continued.
The Internet Providers
Large companies such as AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon, as well as smaller providers servicing rural communities, such as Jackson Energy Authority in Tennessee and Comporium in North Carolina, are committed to providing free internet.
Biden congratulated providers at the White House, requesting that officials from the companies rise from their seats in the Rose Garden.
“This is an instance where big business stepped up,” he remarked. “These people are the best,” he joked.
Residents qualify for the ACP depending on their income or membership in a government program such as Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, or Pell Grants.
The administration will develop Getinternet.gov, which shows details on registering for ACP. It will cooperate with communities and states to spread the news, including by sending texts to residents that are eligible, according to officials.
They continued, “Affordable high-speed broadband can make or break the ability of millions of families to work, learn, and partake in the economy of the 21st century.”
