Beautiful Virgin Islands


Biden reaches deal to cut internet costs for low-income Americans

Biden reaches deal to cut internet costs for low-income Americans

The Affordable Connectivity Program will provide $30 monthly subsidies ($75 in tribal areas) on internet service for millions of households.
The Biden administration announced on Monday that 20 internet companies have agreed to provide discounted service to people with low incomes, a program that could effectively make tens of millions of households eligible for free service through an already existing federal subsidy.

The $1 trillion infrastructure package passed by Congress last year included $14.2bn in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides $30 monthly subsidies ($75 in tribal areas) on internet service for millions of lower-income households.

With the new commitment from the internet providers, some 48 million households will be eligible for $30 monthly plans for 100 megabits per second, or higher speed, service — making internet service fully paid for with the government subsidy if they sign up with one of the providers participating in the program.

Biden, during his White House run and the push for the infrastructure bill, made expanding high-speed internet access in rural and low-income areas a priority. He has repeatedly spoken out about low-income families that struggled finding reliable WiFi, so their children could take part in remote schooling and complete homework assignments early in the coronavirus pandemic.

“If we didn’t know it before, we know now: High-speed internet is essential,” the Democratic president said during a White House event last month honoring the National Teacher of the Year.

The 20 internet companies that have agreed to lower their rates for eligible consumers provide service in areas where 80 percent of the US population, including 50 percent of the rural population, live, according to the White House. Participating companies that offer service on tribal lands are providing $75 rates, the equivalent of the federal government subsidy in those areas.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday were set to meet with telecom executives, members of Congress and others to spotlight the effort to improve access to high-speed internet for low-income households.

The providers are Allo Communications, AltaFiber (and Hawaiian Telecom), Altice USA (Optimum and Suddenlink), Astound, AT&T, Breezeline, Comcast, Comporium, Frontier, IdeaTek, Cox Communications, Jackson Energy Authority, MediaCom, MLGC, Spectrum (Charter Communications), Starry, Verizon (Fios only), Vermont Telephone Co., Vexus Fiber and Wow! Internet, Cable, and TV.

American households are eligible for subsidies through the Affordable Connectivity Program if their income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or if a member of their family participates in one of several programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) and Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Unelected PM of the UK holds an emergency meeting because a candidate got voted in… which he says is a threat to democracy…
I have a dream, MLK inspiring speech
Rob Schneider explains California reparations legislation.
Aretha Franklin, Marvis Staples - Oh Happy Day
Who knew badminton could get so intense?
BVI Freedom Song
Farmers break through police barriers in Brussels.
Billy Preston - You Can't Beat God Giving (Live)
London's Iconic British Telecom Tower Sold To Become Hotel
VIRGIN ISLANDS REGGAE CARIBBEAN RIDDIMZ
Ukraine Arrests Father-Son Duo In Lockbit Cybercrime Bust
Oh Happy Day Edwin Hawkins - Anthony Brown w FBCG Combined Choir
US Offers $15 Million For Info On Leaders Of Cybercrime Group Lockbit
'Stand by Me' performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir
Russia Claims UK Cultural Agency Spied for Ukraine
National Anthem of the British Virgin Islands - Oh, Beautiful Virgin
Apple warns against drying iPhones with rice
Hello Dolly
Alexei Navalny: UK sanctions Russian prison chiefs after activist's death
for KING & COUNTRY - Amen (Reborn) [feat. Lecrae & The WRLDFMS Tony Wi
German economy is in 'troubled waters' - ministry
Bob Marley - Get Up Stand Up
In a recent High Court hearing, the U.S. argued that Julian Assange endangered lives by releasing classified information.
Yes He Can
New video
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Tucker Carlson says Boris Johnson wants "a million dollars, in Bitcoin or cash, from Tucker Carlson to talk about Ukraine.
Unforgettable
Russia is rebuilding capacity to destabilize European countries, new UK report warns
Touch The Hem Of His Garment
EU Commission wants anti-drone defenses at Brussels HQ
The Lord's Prayer
Von der Leyen’s 2nd-term pitch: More military might, less climate talk
THE GOD MOVEMENT...BEAUTIFUL BVI
Global Law Enforcement Dismantles Lockbit Ransomware Operation
Siyahamba
Prince William Urges End to Gaza Conflict
Ray Charles And The Voices Of Jubilaton, Oh, Happy Day
UK court to hear Assange's final appeal against extradition to the US, where he faces charges related to his journalistic work—the publication of a classified video in 2010 that exposed US war crimes against humanity.
Ramblin' Rose
About 50-60% kids either chose to be YouTuber or influencer
Protoje - Who Knows ft. Chronixx
A viral video of Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce lying on a Canberra footpath is celebrated by his media mates.
Pressure - Virgin Islands Nice
European Countries React to Navalny's Death by Summoning Russian Diplomats
Phil Wickham - House Of The Lord
Israel has gone ‘beyond self-defence’ in Gaza, says Labour’s Streeting
My God Is Real (Yes, God Is Real)
English farmers to be offered ‘largest ever’ grant scheme amid food security concerns
The Lion King Circle of Life by LEBO M. — LIVE at the HAVASI Symphonic
Cameron government knew Post Office ditched Horizon IT investigation
Louis Armstrong - When The Saints Go Marching In
EU Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza Conflict
Kanye West Sunday Service - hallelujah, salvation, and glory
EU Vows To Hold Putin "Accountable" After Meeting Alexei Navalny's Wife
Jonathan Nelson - I Believe (Island Medley
EU Launches Probe Into TikTok Over Child Protection Under Digital Content Law
From The Virgin Islands Sqad Up
The EU Initiates Naval Mission to Defend Red Sea Trade Routes
Common, John Legend - Glory
EU and UK Announce Joint Effort on Migration
Anthony Evans vs. Jesse Campbell - If I Ain't Got You
Brazil's Lula Likens Gaza Operation to Holocaust, Israel Says "Red Line" Crossed
I have a dream, MLK inspiring speech
Ministers Confirm Proposal to Prohibit Mobile Phone Usage in English Schools
Aretha Franklin, Marvis Staples - Oh Happy Day
Microsoft-backed OpenAI valued at $80bn after company completes deal
BVI Freedom Song
‘Alexei would want to tell Russia not to give up fighting’
Billy Preston - You Can't Beat God Giving (Live)
Rwandan Footballer's Dismissal Sparks Concerns Over UK Asylum Plan
VIRGIN ISLANDS REGGAE CARIBBEAN RIDDIMZ
Whisky Challenges China's Baijiu Market During New Year Celebrations
Oh Happy Day Edwin Hawkins - Anthony Brown w FBCG Combined Choir
Avdiivka - Symbol Of Ukrainian Resistance Now In Control Of Russian Troops
'Stand by Me' performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir
Putin Critic Alexei Navalny's "Killers" Refusing To Hand Over Body, Say Allies
National Anthem of the British Virgin Islands - Oh, Beautiful Virgin
×