It is now essential to have good connectivity to the internet everywhere you go because it has become so crucial to daily life. 19 million Americans, according to the Federal Communications Commission, do not have access to fast enough internet. Because it is so expensive, many people can’t afford to use the internet at home or on their phones or tablets. Fortunately, efforts are being made by the government and internet service providers to close the digital divide. Search online to learn how to do it.
Your eligibility for free internet could be determined by your financial position. To find out if you fit the requirements, start an online search.
Here’s how to benefit from a new discount program to get low-cost internet.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The government launched the Affordable Connectivity Program to assist tens of millions of American households in getting internet access at home (ACP).1 With the help of this program, qualifying individuals and families can get free internet access or a $30 reduction on their chosen plan.
Twenty providers who serve more than 80% of the nation have committed to the ACP. Even large corporations like AT&T and Verizon are participating in this campaign. To keep internet expenses as low as possible, internet providers provide more affordable plans, lower rates, and sometimes even free equipment.
Who can participate in the ACP?
Households whose incomes are at or below the federal poverty level in percentage terms. 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold is $55,500 for a household of four.
Individuals who make use of specific government assistance programs, such as Federal Public Housing Assistance, Lifeline, Medicaid, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If a household falls under the federal poverty level or has at least one member receiving public assistance such as Medicaid, SNAP, or SSI, Lifeline will reduce their monthly phone or internet rates by up to $9.25. A family of four would need to earn less than $37,463 per year in order to meet the federal poverty requirements for this year, which are 135 percent of the federal poverty level.
Individuals now make use of a high-speed internet provider that offers subsidized services to low-income homes. For instance, AT&T provides homes with at least one SNAP participant with an internet connection for $10 or less per month. When a new client qualifies for public assistance and has at least one K–12 student in the home, Cox will provide internet service for just $9.95 per month.
Households where school lunches are free or inexpensive for the kids.
Households that take part in tribe-specific programs, such as Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
Free Internet Resources
Major providers nationwide offer free internet to qualified individuals. With the affordability program, carriers are providing users with internet speeds of 100 Mbps on average, with prices for the plans starting at $30 or less. You will receive free high-speed internet access if you select this less expensive plan and use it with the $30 savings.
Several companies that offer unrestricted internet access are:
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- AT&T (Up to 100 Mbps internet) (Up to 100 Mbps internet)2
- Communications Allo (100 Mbps internet)3
- Comporium (100 Mbps x 100 Mbps Fiber internet or 100 x 3 Mbps Cable Modem internet) (100 Mbps x 100 Mbps Fiber internet or 100 x 3 Mbps Cable Modem internet)4
- Frontier (100 Mbps Fiber internet) (100 Mbps Fiber internet)5
- IdeaTek (Plans up to 100 Mbps available) (Plans up to 100 Mbps available)6
- MLGC (internet plan of 100/20 Mbps)7
- Verizon (300 Mbps Fios internet) (300 Mbps Fios internet)8
- Company of Vermont Telephone (Up to 100 Mbps internet)9
- Vexus Fiber10
- Breezeline (internet at 100/10 Mbps)11
- WOW! Internet (Internet 100 plan) (Internet 100 plan)12
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Less Costly Internet
The $30 savings can be applied to other internet plans if you need internet but don’t want to limit yourself to a 100 Mbps plan. For those who access the internet more regularly and need faster speeds, connectivity, and download capacities, this is a fantastic choice.
For instance, in addition to its free package, Frontier offers three higher-speed internet services. With your $30 savings, you can select the 500 Mbps plan, which typically costs $39.99 per month. Your monthly internet bill drops to just $9.99 thanks to this offer.
Through this scheme, more companies can also offer better internet services for less money.
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- Astound
- AltaFiber
- Allo Communications (free internet with 100 Mbps plan)
- AT&T
- Comcast
- Cox Communications
- Mediacom
- Spectrum (Charter Communications)
- Jackson Energy Authority
- Starry
- Optimum/ Altice USA
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Picking an Internet Provider
Those who meet the requirements for the Affordable Connectivity Program can begin considering which provider they want to use. Customers have options when selecting a supplier because there are 20 businesses nationwide participating in the program. See which suppliers are accessible in your area to start focusing your search.
Consider your budget after that. Do you want to pay nothing per month for internet access? Then you will probably need to select a plan with 100 Mbps speeds. If you want better internet connections, look into more affordable options where you can get the $30 discount. Despite not being free, your high-speed plan will still be considerably less expensive than it would be without the ACP offer.
Compare online Internet service providers and plans
Find out if you are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if you are having trouble paying for your internet. A home or eligible individual may pay nothing for high-speed internet access. Start an internet search to examine what suppliers have to offer to discover a plan that fits both your wants and your budget.
Additionally, you can read more about the ACP online. A brief search will reveal who qualifies for this program and how to sign up. This project will allow millions of individuals to access the internet and all of its services on a budget.
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