Affordable Connectivity Program expires, meaning millions could lose internet access
Affordable Connectivity Program ending: Millions could lose internet access as ACP expires WPVI-TV
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Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Expires, Widening the Digital Divide in the U.S.
A program that helped close the digital divide in the U.S. has come to an end.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) expired Tuesday night. ACP was a federal benefit through the FCC aimed at lower-income Americans.
Impact on Internet Bills
Now, millions of recipients will see their internet bills go up by $40 or more, many of them senior citizens and military families. In Philadelphia alone, more than 177,000 homes were enrolled.
Efforts to Extend the Program
Efforts to extend the pandemic-era program have stalled in Congress.
Alternative Options
In the meantime, reach out to your internet provider. Many companies have their own discounted plans for low-income households. There is also a federal subsidy called “Lifeline” that will cover a small portion of your bill if you qualify.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 1: No Poverty – ACP aimed to bridge the digital divide for lower-income Americans.
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Access to affordable internet is crucial for online learning.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Closing the digital divide promotes technological advancement.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – ACP helped reduce inequalities in internet access among low-income households.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration between the government, internet providers, and communities is necessary to address the digital divide.
Additional Resources
- Affordable Connectivity Program for free internet service ending in April for millions of Americans
- Net neutrality is back as FCC votes to regulate internet providers
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020.
- Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology.
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SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.
Analysis
The article discusses the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal benefit through the FCC aimed at lower-income Americans. This program helped close the digital divide in the U.S., which is directly related to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. The program aimed to provide universal and affordable access to the internet for lower-income Americans. The expiration of the program means that millions of recipients will see their internet bills go up by $40 or more, impacting senior citizens and military families.
Based on the article’s content, the specific target under SDG 9 that can be identified is Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020. The ACP aimed to provide affordable access to the internet for lower-income Americans, contributing to this target.
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators related to SDG 9. However, Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology, could be relevant to measure progress towards providing universal access to the internet.
The article also highlights the impact of the program’s expiration on senior citizens and military families, indicating a potential connection to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. SDG 10 aims to promote social, economic, and political inclusion for all individuals, irrespective of their economic status. The expiration of the ACP may exacerbate inequalities in access to affordable internet services, particularly for vulnerable groups. The specific target under SDG 10 that can be identified is Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
The article does not mention any specific indicators related to SDG 10. However, Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities, could be relevant to measure progress towards reducing inequalities in access to affordable internet services.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020. | Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: 6abc.com
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