The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a critical tool as we seek to #Connect20. Network:On was proud to host “Closing the Digital Divide: The Affordable Connectivity Program on the Ground and in DC” with our partners Public Knowledge and New America’s Open Technology Institute. Our expert-filled event was perfectly timed as the White House kicked off a nationwide ACP Week of Action that same day.
Our event started off strong with the premiere Network:On’s video on the importance of digital navigators. Special thanks to Chrissie Powell of Byte Back (https://byteback.org/), Thu Nguyen of OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates (https://www.ocanational.org/), and Valerie Franco of Human-I-T (https://www.human-i-t.org/) for taking the time to talk to us about the important work they’re doing. Check out the video!
Following the premiere of our Network:On video, we were thrilled to welcome NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. We couldn’t agree more with what he said about the importance of affordable connectivity: “Affordability is not a luxury. It is a necessity.” We also received recorded remarks from Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina on how the ACP has impacted North Carolinians.
We then heard from ACP practitioners Angela Siefer of NDIA, Angie Cooper of Heartland Forward, Abe Camez of Hoopa Valley Tribe, Natali Betancur of the Center for Digital Equity at Queens University Charlotte, and Alisa Valentin of the National Urban League. We had the chance to hear directly from the people who are on the ground getting folks signed up. We heard about challenges and success stories across the country, from the inner cities to rural areas to Tribal communities.
Our second panel featured Anita Banerji of Leadership Conference, Kathryn de Wit of Pew Charitable Trusts, Joshua Stager of Free Press, Jonathan Cannon of R Street, and Kim Keenan of the Digital Progress Institute on what it will take to get funding for ACP renewed. All sides of the ideological spectrum need to get on board – millions of Americans are using this program, and we cannot go backward and take this away from those who are connected.
Finally, we were thrilled to share a special video message from Vice President Kamala Harris!
If you missed the event and want to catch the whole exciting discussion(s), you can find a full recording below.
In addition to Network:On’s #Connect20 Digital Adoption Toolkit, several participants in the summit have created and curated resources on the Affordable Connectivity Program and closing the digital divide. Check them out:
- Affordable Connectivity Program: This FCC primer provides an introduction to the ACP, eligibility requirements, and steps for enrolling in the program through getinternet.gov.
- ACP Enrollment and Claims Tracker: This tracker monitors and publishes ACP enrollment by date, state, county, and zip code, providing a comprehensive look at ACP successes and areas of opportunity.
- Broadband Data Collection: This FCC nation-wide map, published on May 30, 2023, identifies the internet service providers and mobile options available to residents in each state, county, and address.
- ACP in the 313: Closing Detroit’s Digital Divide: Written by OTI’s Chris Sadler, this case study examines Detroit’s success in implementing the ACP and identifies lessons other cities can learn.
- The Affordable Connectivity Program: When Government Spending is Good: Panelist Jonathan Cannon makes the case for conservative and free-market voters and policymakers to support the ACP. The ACP has been a proven bipartisan success, bringing millions online and lowering the cost of internet services.
- Closing the Digital Divide Benefits Everyone, Not Just the Disconnected: This report assesses the ACP, Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD), and other government programs for their potential in closing the digital divide.
- Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): June 20, 2023 Social Media Day of Action Toolkit: This social media toolkit was designed to help users educate and promote legislator and public support for the ACP.
What Others are Saying:
- Axios: Internet discount program’s advocates fight to keep it going)
- Broadband Breakfast: ACP Now Serving Over 18M Americans, Hundreds Apply for Wireless Innovation Fund, Friedman Invests in Telecom + Lack of Affordable Connectivity Fund Money Could Hobble Broadband Deployment: Experts
- Cablefax: Save ACP Week: Stakeholders Make Case for Refunding Broadband Program
- Government Technology: What’s New in Digital Equity: ‘Online For All’ Campaign Launches With Week of Action
- Light Reading: White House kicks off ‘week of action’ on the Affordable Connectivity Program + ISPs, digital navigators work to promote the ACP
- Law360: Commerce Unit Head Calls For Renewing Nat’l Internet Subsidy
