February 7, 2024 – The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will officially stop accepting new enrollments after today as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prepares for the program’s lapse. According to the Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC), the program has been adding roughly 200,000 new enrollees per week over the last month.

Still, only about 44% of eligible households have signed up for the ACP. The enrollment freeze means remaining households are now unable to access this federal broadband subsidy.

The following response can be attributed to David B. Dowart, Chairman of the National Lifeline Association (NaLA):

“Today is the last day to enroll Americans in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Tomorrow enrollments freeze, which prevents more than 20 million eligible households from
taking part in a program that could help them afford to get and to stay online. But that’s only part of the problem. If Congress doesn’t act soon, the 23 million low-income households who already participate in the program will also lose their subsidy — and possibly lose internet access altogether. In 2024, that just can’t happen. Internet access is essential to participate in nearly every aspect of modern life. We call on Congress to do the right thing for low-income Americans across the country and fund the ACP before the program ends in April.”