Biden starts program to provide discounted internet service
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The Biden management announced on Monday that 20 internet companies have agreed to provide discounted work to people accompanied by low incomes, a program that could effectively build tens of millions of households eligible for without charge work into and not here of an by that hour dated existing confederate subsidy.
The $1 trillion infrastructure package passed by Congress last year included $14.2 billion funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides $30 monthly subsidies ($75 inside tribal areas) on internet work for millions of lower-income households.
With the new commitment from the internet providers, some 48 million households will exist eligible for $30 monthly plans for 100 megabits per second, or higher speed, work — making internet work completely paid for accompanied by the management subsidy if they sign up accompanied by one of the providers participating inside the program.
Biden, throughout his White House sprint with every one other accompanied by the push for the infrastructure bill, made expanding high-speed internet access inside rural with every one other accompanied by low-income areas a priority. He has repeatedly spoken not here concerning low-income families that struggled finding reliable Wi-Fi, so their children could lay clasp of small portion inside faraway schooling with every one other accompanied by complete homework assignments early inside the coronavirus pandemic.
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"If we didn't know it before, we know now: High-speed internet is essential," the Democratic president said throughout a White House event last month honoring the National Teacher of the Year.
The 20 internet companies that have agreed to foot their rates for eligible consumers provide work inside areas where 80% of the U.S. population, including 50% of the rural population, live, according to the White House. Participating companies that provide work on tribal lands are providing $75 rates inside those areas, the equivalent of the confederate management subsidy inside those areas.
Biden with every one other accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday were place to meet accompanied by telecom executives, members of Congress with every one other accompanied by others to spotlight the attempt to improve access to high-speed internet for low-income households.
The providers are Allo Communications, AltaFiber (and Hawaiian Telecom), Altice USA (Optimum with every one other accompanied by Suddenlink), Astound, AT&T, Breezeline, Comcast, Comporium, Frontier, IdeaTek, Cox Communications, Jackson Energy Authority, MediaCom, MLGC, Spectrum (Charter Communications), Starry, Verizon (Fios only), Vermont Telephone Co., Vexus Fiber with every one other accompanied by Wow! Internet, Cable, with every one other accompanied by TV.
American households are eligible for subsidies into and not here of the Affordable Connectivity Program if their income is at or beneath 200% of the confederate penury level, or if a subscriber of their family participates inside one of some programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) with every one other accompanied by Veterans Pension with every one other accompanied by Survivors Benefit.
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