A Case for Continuing the ACP
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), an incredibly popular and successful federal benefit program, helps people across the U.S. afford internet access — but its future is at risk due to a potential stall in funding.
Part of why this program has been so impactful is because communities of color — including millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders — have historically faced barriers to getting online, particularly the cost of internet access. By providing a $30 monthly benefit for eligible households to use on home or wireless internet, the ACP is helping to address these barriers. The results speak for themselves. Over 17 million people have enrolled in the ACP since it began at the end of 2021.
But, by some estimates, ACP funding will run out as early as next spring, with the potential to leave millions of these recently connected households in a lurch, or worse forcing them to forfeit their access to the internet. If funding for ACP is not renewed, it could reverse much of the progress made in past years to empower underserved communities through connectivity.
OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates is proud to vocalize our support for the ACP. We recognize that the benefits of affordability internet initiatives — like the ACP — have been, and continue to be, transformative for so many Asian and Pacific Islanders across the country. We believe affordable internet connection is a lifechanging resource that can open the door to countless personal and professional opportunities — including online education, remote employment, and more.
For this reason, OCA has promoted the ACP on our website and social media, making a continual effort to encourage all eligible members of our community to take advantage of this resource. We’ve also met with Members of Congress to emphasize the importance of renewing funding and have held panels and webinars on the significance of closing the digital divide. And OCA is also in the process of conducting a digital access survey. The new data coming out of this survey will paint a clearer picture of existing internet access within the AAPI community, and will inform future advocacy based on existing community needs.
We believe that Internet access is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity. As OCA looks to support the AAPI community from every possible angle, we are calling on policymakers to secure additional funding for the ACP.
We must ensure the millions of people who rely on the ACP benefit for their broadband access can stay connected — and we should look to open the door for millions more people to take advantage of this program as well. By helping pave the way for broadband connectivity for all, continuing the ACP will advance the social, political, and economic well-being of AAPIs across the nation.
