Affordable Connectivity Program

On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Consolidated Appropriations Act) was signed into law. Among other actions intended to provide relief during the pandemic, the Consolidated Appropriations Act established an Emergency Br

[This program is no longer making new awards; however, financial reporting on outstanding expenditures is still ongoing.] The Affordable Connectivity Program will use funding from the Affordable Connectivity Fund to support participating providers' provision of qualifying broadband service offerings and connected devices to eligible households. Participating providers will make available to eligible households a monthly discount off the standard rate for an Internet service offering and associated equipment, up to $30.00 per month. On Tribal lands, the monthly discount may be up to $75.00 per month. Participating providers will receive reimbursement from the Affordable Connectivity Program for the discounts provided. Participating providers that also supply an eligible household with a connected device, defined in the Infrastructure Act as a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet, may receive a single reimbursement of up to $100.00 for the connected device, if the charge to the eligible household for that device is more than $10.00 but less than $50.00.

Provider Eligibility: In the Infrastructure Act, a "participating provider" for the Affordable Connectivity Program shall be a broadband service provider that is either designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) or seeks approval from the Commission for participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program. ETCs and non-ETCs must establish they provide broadband service to participate in the program. Household Eligibility: Support is available only for one line per household; applicants are eligible if at least one member of the household: Income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines; Meets the qualifications for participation in the Lifeline program, that is, if they participate in one of the following federal assistance programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit; or one of the following Tribal-specific federal assistance programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance, Tribally-administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations; Receives benefits in the current school year under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, or did so in the school year immediately preceding the application for the Affordable Connectivity Program; participates in the Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC); Has received a Federal Pell Grant under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in the current award year; or Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income program, subject to approval by the Commission.

A provider application will provide information to determine whether the applicant has the legal and technical qualifications to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program. Applicants must certify, under penalty of perjury, their qualifications. Non-Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (Non-ETC) must certify under penalty of perjury that the information set forth in their application is true, accurate, and complete; they understand and will comply with all statutory and regulatory obligations described within the Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program Order (FCC 22-2); and all terms and conditions and other requirements applicable to using the National Verifier, National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), Representative Accountability Database (RAD), and other Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) systems. Eligibility to participate in the program is based on an applicant's submission of required information and certifications. An applicant's filing and subsequent approval does not guarantee the applicant will receive Affordable Connectivity Program reimbursement. Each participating provider must file all required forms, information, and certifications with the Commission and USAC to receive reimbursement. A non-ETC provider seeking to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program must file the appropriate application electronically, whether it is eligible for expedited or automatic approval, per the requirements of the FCC's Order (FCC 22-2) and the resulting application process established by FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau. An eligible household applicant must meet the household eligibility requirements listed in the "Applicant eligibility" section. Eligible households will enroll through participating providers or directly with USAC.

Affordable Connectivity Program support lowers the monthly cost of broadband Internet access services and qualifying connected devices for eligible consumers. Participating providers may only claim reimbursement for support provided to eligible households through the Affordable Connectivity Program subject to the rules and requirements set forth in the Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program Order (FCC 22-2).

Support from the Affordable Connectivity Program is available until the program funds are exhausted.

To clarify the statement above, only Subpart A - Acronyms and Definitions, Subpart B - General Provisions, and Subparts C-D (specifically 2 CFR § 200.203 - Requirement to provide public notice of Federal financial assistance programs; 2 CFR § 200.303 Internal controls; and 2 CFR §§ 200.331-333 Subrecipient Monitoring and Management) apply to this program. Non-ETC providers must certify under penalty of perjury that the information set forth in their application is true, accurate, and complete; they understand and will comply with all statutory and regulatory obligations described within the Order; and all terms and conditions and other requirements applicable to using the National Verifier, National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), Representative Accountability Database (RAD), and other Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) systems. Eligibility to participate in the program is based on an applicant's submission of required information and certifications. An applicant's filing and subsequent approval does not guarantee the applicant will receive Affordable Connectivity Program reimbursement. Each participating provider must file all required forms, information, and certifications with the Commission and Universal Service Administrative Company to receive reimbursement. A non-ETC provider seeking to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program must file the appropriate application, whether it is eligible for expedited or automatic approval, electronically, whether filing for automated or expedited approval, through the process announced by the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau per the requirements of the FCC's Order establishing the program (FCC 22-2).

Eligible households will receive a discount off the cost of qualifying broadband service and certain connected devices, and participating providers can receive a reimbursement for such discounts. Participating providers must submit one reimbursement claim for each month they are claiming support within six months. Eligible households may receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for qualifying connected devices.

Providers enrolled in the EBB Program as of December 31, 2021 were allowed to automatically transition to the Affordable Connectivity Program. For new participating providers, applications will be approved on a rolling basis.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a limited duration program with limited funds. Providers enrolled in the EBB Program as of December 31, 2021 were allowed to automatically transition to the Affordable Connectivity Program. Applications for new providers wishing to participate will be accepted on a rolling basis. Eligible households can be enrolled beginning December 31, 2021 and enrollments will be permitted up until USAC announces a freeze in enrollments as described in the Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program Order. Funding awards will be issued until the budget is exhausted. The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau will establish notice guidelines for the wind down of the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Any interested person may petition for reconsideration of a final FCC action. The petition for reconsideration and any supplement thereto shall be filed within 30 days from the date of public notice of the final FCC action, as that date is defined in 47 CFR § 1.4(b). Any person aggrieved by any FCC action taken pursuant to delegated authority may file an application requesting review of that action. The application for review and any supplemental thereto shall be filed within 30 days of public notice of such action, as that date is defined in 47 CFR § 1.4(b).