WASHINGTON D.C., DC — A federal program that helps low-income Americans get internet access is expected to run out of funding in April.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed in 2021. It offers up to $30 monthly toward internet payments for low-income households. More than 95,000 Maine households utilize the program, and bipartisan bills — both titled the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 — were introduced in Congress this month, aimed at extending it.
People who work to get that internet to Mainers called a press conference Thursday and were concerned inaction would do real harm.
Kerem Durdag is the CEO of GWI, a leading rural internet service provider. He said the internet is a human right.
"When they are on, they have access to a way of life," he said of people who utilize the ACP. "They are able to access telehealth services, whether it's for mental health reasons, even maternal health reasons. Their kids are able to do homework."
The program offers up to $75 per month for qualifying tribal homes. Evelyn Lewey is a tribal digital navigator and Passamaquoddy member who explained how many rural Mainers she works with had no devices, email accounts, or connectivity before this program. She said her phone has been glowing nonstop with messages from clients worried about losing this resource.
"They're like, 'Oh no, what's gonna happen? This program's gonna end. What can we do?'" Lewey explained.
Mia Purcell who works for Community Concepts, serving Oxford, Franklin, and Androscoggin Counties, said she is worried about major setbacks across America if the program expires.
"All of this work that is being done and has been done over the years is all to narrow the digital divide," she said. "And this expands the digital divide."
On Thursday, the offices of Democratic Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden said the lawmakers planned to co-sponsor the House's version of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024. The office of Independent Sen. Angus King said he also intended to co-sponsor the Senate's bill.
A spokesperson for Republican Sen. Susan Collins noted that she was the lead Republican for the broadband section of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, that she was instrumental in the ACP's creation, and that she supported Congressional efforts to update and continue the program. However, Collins was not a co-sponsor for the latest extension bill as of Thursday.