MARYLAND – A federal program that brought discounts for internet access is coming to an end, as Congress failed to renew funding for the Affordable Internet Connectivity program (ACP) as part of its latest budget.
With the final payments expected to go out in April, that leaves an uncertain future for recipients, including up to 600,000 eligible households in Maryland.
Those households were also eligible to receive an additional 15 dollars on top of the up to 40 dollars federal subsidy for internet access, as those funds are also set to come to an end.
“Both ACP and the state subsidy, there needs to be a more sustainable approach to how we can provide affordable access to our constituents. I mean, we can see the need, we can see the benefit that it’s having on our communities, but how can we approach it in a more sustainable way,” said Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband Director Ronnie Hammond.
In a statement to 47ABC Moore Administration spokesman Carter Elliot said:
“It’s unfortunate that Republicans in Congress are choosing to not fund the Affordable Connectivity Program, an initiative that the Biden-Harris Administration proudly put forward that has provided internet to over 200,000 Marylanders and to over 23 million Americans. Governor Moore will continue to work with our partners throughout the state to overcome this obstacle that Congressional Republicans have thrust upon everyone.”
But what will those alternatives look like, as the state is unable to match according to Hammond, the cost for just the current 280,000 households that are utilizing the program would be over 2.5 million dollars per month.
Ronnie Hammond tells 47ABC he would not tell families who have relied on the subsidy to wait a long time for an alternative funding source or program but said it’s unclear when an alternative could be launched.
However, he tells us the state is looking at partnering with ISPs and local community groups to identify the need and help connect those in need with alternative grants, as well as get ISPs to buy in as they help build up infrastructure to the tune of 267 million dollars statewide.
“Well, the ISP is going to receive funding from us. They need to have an affordable plan. They need to be able to support the households, and the communities there with training, with that digital skills training, whether that’s outreach, getting information on programs that the federal government has or that the state government has to support those covered populations that need help,” Hammond said.
In a statement, the Somerset County School district tells us a lack of internet access is still, to this day, the reason they cannot do live online learning.
