Subsidy program helps close 'digital divide' but process and lack of awareness mean only 1/3 of eligible have enrolled

Photo by John Schnobrich, Unsplash

Low-income families struggle to afford internet service, but there is federal assistance to help them gain access. The program, known as the Affordable Connectivity Program, has struggled to reach consumers. "It has enrolled only one-third  of the eligible population. . . . Experts say there are two reasons the program isn't reaching the people: awareness and process," reports Molly Bolan of Route Fifty. "To improve adoption rates, the Federal Communications Commission announced enhancements to its application process to make it easier for eligible consumers to apply and enroll in the program."

Bolan explains, "The $14.2 billion program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying tribal lands. . . . . according to EducationSuperHighway, a nonprofit working to close the digital divide, up to 51 million households are eligible."

"There is a big lack of awareness that the program even exists, particularly amongst the populations that it intends to serve," Jack Lynch, chief operating officer of EducationSuperHighway, told Bolan. "If you can mobilize [local organizations and institutions] to raise awareness about the ACP through the regular channels they're already using to engage with the folks, that can be a really, really effective strategy in cutting through those both the awareness and the trust issues."

Community outreach through schools, churches and libraries can be costly; however, "New federal funding is available to cities and organizations looking to bolster their outreach efforts. The White House recently announced $73 million in ACP Outreach grants. The funding will help governments and partner organizations with outreach through initiatives like digital campaigns, enrollment events and door-to-door canvassing."

Once consumers are aware of the program and go to sign up, getting through the application process becomes a hurdle. "Two of the biggest barriers to enrollment are understanding eligibility requirements and having the digital skills necessary to sign up," Bolan reports." To address the problem, "EducationSuperHighway developed an interactive online tool in four languages to help people understand their eligibility and what information they need to have to enroll."

"There is still one big challenge for the program on the horizon: funding is expected to run out next year," Bolan writes. "But while nationwide enrollment is relatively low today, the ACP has made a big difference in a lot of communities. Brian Donoghue, deputy director of Next Century Cities, said he expects advocates to push for future congressional support." Donoghue told Bolan: "I see an incredible amount of value in where the program has gotten us. Millions more people are connected to the internet today than when this program started."