{"id":4589,"date":"2024-03-11T15:58:56","date_gmt":"2024-03-11T15:58:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestcabletv.com\/blog\/?p=4589"},"modified":"2024-05-10T13:19:34","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T13:19:34","slug":"acp-internet-providers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestcabletv.com\/blog\/acp-internet-providers","title":{"rendered":"Find the Best ACP Internet Providers in Your Area"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Affordable Internet fosters economic mobility through the provision of equal opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. That is why Congress introduced the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in 2021 to help struggling households afford a reliable internet connection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, the federal government has partnered with numerous internet providers to make the internet more accessible. Some providers have gone the extra mile to introduce exclusive plans, thereby becoming the best ACP internet providers. However, the FCC is running out of funds and the future of this program is uncertain. Read on to learn more about these ACP providers, their special plans, and the future of the ACP program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Top 10 ACP Internet Providers<\/a>
  2. ACP Internet Providers Near Me<\/a>
  3. Who is the Best ACP Provider?<\/a>
  4. How to Switch ACP Providers?<\/a>
  5. What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?<\/a>
  6. Is the Affordable Connectivity Program Ending?<\/a><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
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    Top 10 ACP Internet Providers<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Internet Provider<\/strong><\/th>Starting Price<\/strong><\/th>Price After ACP Discount<\/strong><\/th>Download Speeds<\/strong> Up To<\/strong><\/th>Connection Type<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Spectrum<\/strong><\/td>$29.99\/mo<\/td>$0\/mo<\/td>100Mbps<\/td>Cable<\/td><\/tr>
    AT&T<\/strong><\/td>$30\/mo<\/td>$0\/mo<\/td>100Mbps<\/td>DSL, Fiber, Fixed Wireless<\/td><\/tr>
    Frontier<\/strong><\/td>$30\/mo<\/td>$0\/mo<\/td>100Mbps<\/td>DSL, Fiber<\/td><\/tr>
    Xfinity<\/strong><\/td>$29.95\/mo<\/td>$0\/mo<\/td>100Mbps<\/td>Fiber, Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial<\/td><\/tr>
    Verizon Fios<\/strong><\/td>$29.95\/mo<\/td>$0\/mo<\/td>300Mbps<\/td>Fiber<\/td><\/tr>
    Fidium<\/strong><\/td>$25\/mo<\/td>$0\/mo<\/td>100Mbps<\/td>Fiber<\/td><\/tr>
    Windstream<\/strong><\/td>$30\/mo<\/td>$0\/mo<\/td>100Mbps<\/td>DSL, Hybrid Fiber<\/td><\/tr>
    Viasat<\/strong><\/td>$49\/mo<\/td>$19\/mo<\/td>25Mbps<\/td>Satellite<\/td><\/tr>
    HughesNet<\/strong><\/td>$49\/mo<\/td>$19\/mo<\/td>15Mbps<\/td>Satellite<\/td><\/tr>
    Earthlink<\/strong><\/td>$50\/mo<\/td>$20\/mo<\/td>100Mbps<\/td>Fiber, Wireless<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
    Price & Speeds May Vary*<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a specific discount (usually $30, but qualifying individuals living on Tribal Lands receive $75 per month) to low-income families that can be applied to any plan of its partnering internet providers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While this discount makes their internet plans reasonable, many top-tier ACP internet providers offer one or two high-speed internet plans that cost $30 or less per month with usually no additional charges, so participating households can enjoy free internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, this alone does not make such ACP providers the best in the market. The best providers deliver inclusive plans, broad coverage, exceptional customer service, and transparency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ACP Internet Providers Near Me<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There are many internet providers in the country but not every company is a part of the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s (FCC\u2019s) Affordable Connectivity Program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can use our advanced search tool to streamline your options and look for the most suitable ACP internet provider in your zip code.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Who is the Best ACP Provider?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    More than 20 leading internet providers participate in the ACP, connecting over 20 million households to the world. However, certain metrics such as service availability, network reliability, industry reputation, and exclusivity of low-income plans make certain ACP providers more prominent than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Evaluation Criteria for the 5 Best <\/strong>ACP Internet Providers <\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
    Providers <\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\tACP Plans <\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\tAvailability <\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\tCustomer Rating<\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
    Max. Speed <\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\tMin. Price <\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
    AT&T <\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t100 Mbps <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t$0.00\/mo. <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t22 states <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t3.75\/ 5 stars <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
    Kinetic <\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t500 Mbps <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t$9.99\/mo. <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t18 states <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t3.65\/ 5 stars<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
    Verizon Fios <\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t300 Mbps <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t$0.00\/mo. <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t9 states <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t3.61\/ 5 stars <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
    Spectrum <\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t100 Mbps <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t$0.00\/mo. <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t41 states <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t3.56\/ 5 stars <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
    Frontier <\/strong><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t100 Mbps <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t$0.00\/mo. <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t29 states <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t3.30\/ 5 stars <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t<\/tbody>\n\t\t<\/table>\n\t<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Best ACP Internet Provider for Price<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    AT&T is the only top-ranking ACP internet provider that offers its 100 Mbps internet plan for free for the entire service tenure. Unlike other ACP internet providers, it does not offer its exclusive low-income broadband plan (Access from AT&T) at promotional rates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Therefore, the consumers continue to receive free internet service even after 12, 24, or 36 months from enrollment. However, they must bear the add-on costs such as taxes and surcharges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Please note that AT&T\u2019s ACP<\/strong><\/a> plan includes a free installation and whole-home Wi-Fi coverage.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Best ACP Internet Provider for Speed <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Among the top 5 ACP Internet providers, only Verizon Fios offers up to 300 Mbps of symmetrical upload and download speeds for $0 per month. With the Kinetic ACP<\/strong><\/a> offer, you can get starting speeds of 500 Mbps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, you will still be required to pay $9.99 each month (which includes your equipment rental). The remaining high-ranking ACP internet providers offer up to 100 Mbps of download speeds in their zero-cost internet offerings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Best ACP Internet Provider for Coverage <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Unfortunately, AT&T\u2019s free internet service is limited to just 22 states of the USA. This is when we pass the torch to Spectrum and let it illuminate the bridge of connectivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Out of all the top-rated ACP internet providers in the country, Spectrum is the one that offers free and discounted internet plans in 41 states, or 82% of the USA. The wide availability of Spectrum ACP<\/strong><\/a> plans makes it the best ACP internet provider for coverage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Best ACP Internet Provider for Network Reliability <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Without a doubt, Frontier is the best ACP internet provider for network reliability. Its superfast fiber internet service promises 99.9% network uptime and minimal speed fluctuations during peak hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Moreover, its DSL internet service has been a household name in rural areas of America for decades. You can get up to 100Mbps of equal download and upload speeds for free for the first 12 months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Best ACP Internet Provider for Customer Service <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Kinetic by Windstream tops the list for best customer satisfaction in the non-fiber ACP internet providers category. In the American Customer Satisfaction Index<\/a> for 2023, Kinetic scored 70 out of 100 points, which is 4 points higher than the industry average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Even though Kinetic does not offer free internet to its ACP subscribers, it makes amends by upgrading the starting speeds to 500 Mbps and providing world-class customer service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In contrast, AT&T Fiber\u2019s customer ratings are better and it does have a free ACP internet plan, but its fiber-optic broadband network is limited to urban centers, unlike Kinetic\u2019s hybrid fiber-DSL internet service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Switch ACP Providers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There are many reasons for switching internet service providers<\/strong><\/a> (ISPs). You don\u2019t have to lose your ACP benefit just because you are moving to a new location and your current ISP does not serve that area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can follow these few simple steps to transfer your ACP credits to a new internet provider of your choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n