CALIFORNIA, USA — The deadline for a program helping struggling families afford internet service and devices to stay connected is quickly approaching.
The government program has already helped more than 22 million households, but there are benefits and criticisms.
"It's hard to believe that, in this day and age, we have these challenges in a country like the United States," said San Jay Varshney, Sacramento State Finance professor. "And yet, we still have people living well below the poverty line, or we have people living in rural areas that are not connected at all."
It's been called the most ambitious home internet subsidy in U.S. history. The FCC's "Affordable Connectivity Program" (ACP) launched in 2021 and helps households afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
"Going to classes, taking classes online, doing their homework, watching TV, streaming stuff online, for example, all that stuff is taken for granted by families that can afford it," said Varshney.
To help increase access, the subsidy program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households.
They can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer or tablet.
For many people, being online is critical.
"Believe it or not, we still have a large population in the U.S. that simply does not have a bank account, because there are no banks where they live, there are no branches where they live," said Varshney.
While the program launched to help close the digital divide, there are reports the program is nearing its end this year unless Congress decides to continue funding it.
There is also an investigation into Charter Communications, one of the largest recipients of government funds to carry out this program.
"I think the United States will be well served in trying to do a deeper dive as to why we still have these millions of households, for example, that either don't have connectivity, cannot afford connectivity, and why is it costing so much to get it?" said Varshney.
ABC10 reached out to the FCC about the ACP, but the inquiry was not immediately returned. The deadline to apply is Feb. 7.
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