In Wake County, one of the challenges for residents needing high-speed internet access is affordability. The new federal Affordable Connectivity Program will help address that challenge by reducing internet service costs by up to $30/month.
“The pandemic showed us that high-speed internet access is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity,” said Sig Hutchinson, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “This program can make a real difference for families in our community who can’t currently afford internet service, and that’s why we strongly encourage those who meet its criteria to take full advantage of these lower rates.”
Households can qualify for the ACP in two ways:
- Their income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level; or
- A member of their household participates in one of several federal programs such as Pell Grants, Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP.
In addition, the federal government has worked with 20 internet service providers to offer higher-speed internet to ACP-eligible residents for $30/month with no additional fees or data caps. A list of participating providers is available here.
“The most exciting part of this program is it will enable some residents to get high-speed internet at no cost,” said Vice Chair Shinica Thomas. “Eligible residents who pair their ACP benefit with one of the $30/month plans can receive high-speed internet without adding any extra expense to their household budget.”
The application process is easy. Just visit GetInternet.gov and answer the questions in English or Spanish to find out if you qualify.
Ensuring that all households have affordable, high-speed internet access is a goal of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. For more information on how the ACP will protect consumers, visit the Federal Communications Commission’s website.
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