Internet affordability is a persistent issue in the United States, leading to a digital divide among many communities. This problem frequently affects low-income and rural populations, which puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing chances for education, information, and employment. To bridge this gap, the government has launched the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), but what exactly is it, how can you apply, and how can you find one of the best ACP internet providers in your area? Continue reading to learn more about this program, the best ACP providers, and their low-income internet plans.
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Top 10 ACP Internet Providers
Below, we have listed the leading ACP internet providers and the prices of their plans, after the $30 ACP discount. It is up to you to choose one of the ACP providers that best fits your needs.
ACP Internet Providers | Price after ACP | Contact Providers |
---|---|---|
Spectrum | $0/mo. | Call Now |
AT&T | $0/mo. | Call Now |
Frontier | $0/mo. | Call Now |
Optimum | $0/mo. | Call Now |
Verizon | $0/mo. | Order Now |
Consolidated Comm. | $0/mo. | Call Now |
EarthLink | $29.95/mo. | Call Now |
Viasat | $39.99/mo. | Call Now |
HughesNet | $34.99/mo. | Call Now |
Windstream | $9.99/mo. | Call Now |
Approximately, there are 1,300 ACP internet providers in the US. These ACP providers work hand-in-hand with the government to expand internet access to low-income households and to bridge the digital divide. Qualifying individuals can choose one of these ACP providers in their area to reap the benefits of inexpensive but high-quality internet service.
Not sure who are the best ACP internet providers in 2023? AT&T, Spectrum, and Frontier are the top 3 ACP providers, offering reliable connectivity at the most affordable price.
AT&T
- Internet Speed 100 Mbps
- Upload Speed 100 Mbps
AT&T is a top-rated ACP internet provider that has been providing internet service for more than 20 years. Through their participation in this program, AT&T offers several high-speed fiber internet plans at affordable rates. The AT&T ACP internet plans start at $0 per month and offer download speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. If you are looking for a high-speed fiber internet plan at an affordable price, AT&T is one of the best and most widely available ACP providers.
Spectrum
- Download Speed: 100 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 10 Mbps
Spectrum is also among the top 3 ACP internet providers. Spectrum Affordable Connectivity Program offers unlimited internet plans with download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. Spectrum’s 100 Mbps internet plan is available for $0 per month for customers enrolled in the affordable connectivity program. Spectrum delivers high-speed internet using a hybrid fiber-coaxial network.
Frontier
- Download Speed: 100 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 100 Mbps
Frontier Communications is among the best ACP internet providers offering high-speed fiber internet. The Frontier ACP plans offer symmetrical upload and download speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. The basic Frontier internet plan starts at $0 for customers enrolled in the affordable connectivity program.
ACP Providers Near Me
After approval, you’ve determined your eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Your next step is to find the best ACP providers available at your address. You can find a complete list of ACP internet providers in your area by entering your zip code in the following search tool.
What is ACP?
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to ensure everyone in the United States has access to high-quality, affordable internet service. The Affordable Connectivity Program is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and was created by President Biden and Vice President Harris with support from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
The government-sponsored ACP program and ACP internet providers make internet access more affordable for those struggling to pay their monthly bills. It can help bridge the digital divide in underserved communities and provide children and adults with the resources they need to succeed in the digital age. The government is actively promoting the expansion of accessible internet with the help of participating ACP providers.
Through the ACP program, eligible households can receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and up to $75 per month for families on qualifying Tribal lands. In addition to the service discount, eligible households can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. It’s important to note that the ACP is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Subscribe to the Best ACP Internet Provider Now!
100 Mbps Internet Plan for $0/mo.
Eligibility Criteria
The ACP program is available to households whose income falls at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
For example, a single person in the US making up to $27,180 per year is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program. A family of four with a combined income of up to $55,500 per year is also eligible. These eligibility requirements help ensure the program reaches those who most need it. The income eligibility limit should be increased by $9,400 for each additional person.
If a household member participates in one of the Federal or Tribal assistance programs, they are also eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program
Federal Assistance Programs
You qualify for ACP if you or someone in your household is a member of one of these programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- National School Lunch Program
- Federal Pell Grant
- Project-Based Rental Assistance
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Tribal Assistance Programs
To make it easier for tribal communities, which have historically had difficulty accessing affordable internet services, to sign up for an ACP account. This includes low-income families living on tribal lands which are either part of one of the following categories:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
If you think you might qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you can contact us at (877) 395-5851 for more information.
Check Eligibility
It’s easy to determine if you qualify for the ACP program. All you need to do is check your household’s eligibility.
To check eligibility, you’ll need to provide information about your household size and income in the ACP application form. The information is used to determine if you meet the requirements for this program. Once you submit your application, you will receive confirmation that it has been received and reviewed.
Apply for ACP
Compare the ACP providers available in your area and select your preferred provider. Your next step is to contact one of the ACP internet providers to subscribe to a suitable internet plan and have the discount applied to your bill. Remember that your enrollment will be complete once one of the providers confirms your subscription. Some ACP providers may also ask you to complete an alternative application form.
Conclusion
The Affordable Connectivity Program offers a range of benefits for people in need of affordable access to the Internet. Through the government-funded program, ACP internet providers strive to bridge the digital divide by providing low-cost internet access to eligible households. Qualified individuals and families can benefit from this program to open up new opportunities to learn, communicate, and stay in touch with the digitally connected world.
We hope that this post has provided insight into the Affordable Connectivity Program and the best ACP internet providers in 2023. Whether you are already enrolled or just curious, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of this great program!
FAQs
All ACP internet providers have their strengths and weaknesses. The choice ultimately depends on your preferences and the availability of ACP providers at your address. Spectrum, AT&T, and Frontier top the list of best ACP providers as they offer a wide variety of internet plans and have a decent coverage area.
If you are an approved ACP customer, you have the option to switch to a new ACP internet provider. To make this possible, the new ACP provider must initiate a transfer action in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) to bring the consumer under their service.
Each household can be registered with just one ACP provider at any given time. You are allowed to move your ACP benefit to a different ACP internet provider but such a transfer can be processed only once per month.
The ACP program was launched in 2021 with a $14 billion investment from the federal government and was designed to help more Americans gain access to high-speed internet. The ACP program will continue for several years. To date, more than 8 million households have been able to use this program for lower-cost broadband connections.
If you are eligible for the government-sponsored Affordable Connectivity Program, you can contact one of the ACP internet providers to subscribe to a free internet plan. Spectrum, AT&T, and Frontier are some of the leading ACP providers that offer their basic internet plan for $0/mo. However, these plans are only available for eligible households.
The first step is determining if your household qualifies for the ACP program based on income eligibility requirements. Eligibility requirements vary by state, so applicants should check their local rules before applying.
After applying, the next step is to select one of the ACP internet providers that best suits your and your family’s needs. Applicants can choose from several ACP providers based on cost, speed, reliability, and other factors that suit their needs.