ACP Wind-Down Notice
Last updated: January 22, 2024
The Federal Communications Commission Announces wind-down of the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Congress provided $14.2 billion in funding for the ACP and that funding has been drawn down each month as providers have claimed reimbursement for benefits passed through to households. The ACP, which was launched two years ago, currently delivers discounted internet service to more than 22 million low-income households, benefiting both rural and urban households alike.
The ACP provides eligible households with a monthly discount on broadband service of up to $30 per month and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers, if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. Should the ACP not receive additional funding, the Commission will have to end the program and enrolled households will no longer receive the ACP discount after the end of the program.
The FCC currently projects that the last month for which the ACP can fully reimburse providers for the ACP benefits provided to enrolled households is April 2024. Should Congress not appropriate additional money, the existing funds will be exhausted, the Commission will have to end the ACP, and providers will stop providing discounts to enrolled households.
The Bureau will freeze new enrollments into the ACP beginning on February 8, 2024. Accordingly, enrollment into the ACP will be permitted until February 7, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The Bureau finds that this freeze will help to more accurately project funding exhaustion by increasing certainty in program commitments. The Bureau finds that freezing enrollments will help reduce the risk of the last fully funded month shifting earlier, thus permitting providers and USAC adequate time to notify consumers about the impact on their broadband bills and services should the ACP not receive more funding.
How does this affect your current ACP account?
Should Congress not vote to fund the ACP you will lose your current discount of $30 or $75 (tribal qualifying lands) and will be responsible for the undiscounted balance plus tax and fees. You will be required to pre-pay for your monthly service. This means you will need to make a payment by May 1, 2024, to remain active, should the projected end of the program remain April 2024.
New households will not be able to apply for ACP effective February 8, 2024. If your service is de-enrolled for any reason, other than a transfer of benefits, you will not be able to re-enroll into the Affordable Connectivity program. It is important that you continue to use your services every 30 days so that you do not run the risk of losing your ACP benefit. If you are de-enrolled from the program prior to February 8th you will not be able to re-enroll into the ACP.
Contact Congress - Let your voice be heard!
Use this link to contact your Congress Member and tell them to fund the ACP!
Clear Wireless Support
Contact us at (888) 303-6360 or email support@clearwireless.com for more information.