Funds running out to help low-income families get access to internet

PHOENIX (AZFamily) – Millions of American Households at Risk of Losing Internet Access

Twenty-three million households across America could lose internet access or be forced to start paying more, according to a recent report. The government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides a federal subsidy to help low-income families with their internet bills, is set to run out of funds this spring.

Significance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 1: No Poverty – The ACP aims to address the digital divide by providing affordable internet access to low-income households.
2. Goal 4: Quality Education – Internet access is crucial for students to participate in online learning and access educational resources.
3. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Internet access enables individuals to work remotely and access job opportunities.
4. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities – The ACP helps bridge the digital divide by providing discounted internet services to low-income families.
5. Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The ACP relies on collaboration between the government, service providers, and Congress to ensure continued funding and support for low-income families.

In Arizona alone, over half a million people are enrolled in the ACP, with more than 100,000 households in Congressional District 7 benefiting from the program. However, unless Congress provides additional funding, these families will no longer receive the subsidy.

President Joe Biden has urged Congress to allocate more funding to continue supporting low-income families with the cost of broadband internet. He emphasizes the importance of internet access for daily activities such as work, education, and healthcare.

Companies like Verizon and Cox are offering alternative options for ACP members, such as discounted monthly plans and affordable internet services. However, the end of the ACP will still pose challenges for many individuals who rely on the subsidy.

Impact on Vulnerable Groups

• Military families, who make up nearly half of the households benefiting from the ACP, may face difficulties in accessing affordable internet services.
• Approximately 10 million Americans aged 50 or older rely on the ACP for discounted internet access.

The city of Phoenix suggests alternative options for free internet access, such as utilizing library resources or accessing public wireless internet hotspots in Arizona.

While the ACP was initially established as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, its discontinuation highlights the ongoing need for affordable internet access. The Department of Education has funded initiatives like “The Final Mile Project” to provide sustainable educational internet to rural areas at a reduced cost.

It is crucial for stakeholders to continue working towards achieving the SDGs, particularly Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, which emphasizes the importance of affordable and universal access to information and communication technologies.

Conclusion

The potential loss of internet access for millions of American households underscores the need for sustained efforts to bridge the digital divide. The ACP has played a significant role in providing affordable internet services to low-income families, but additional funding and support are necessary to ensure continued access to essential online resources.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article addresses issues related to poverty (SDG 1) by discussing the potential loss of internet access for low-income households. It also highlights the importance of internet access for education (SDG 4), as well as the impact on employment opportunities (SDG 8) and economic growth (SDG 8). The article also touches on the digital divide and the need for infrastructure development (SDG 9) to ensure equal access to high-speed internet. The mention of tribal lands and rural areas connects to the goal of sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). Lastly, the article mentions the role of government funding and policies in addressing these issues, which relates to the goal of peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
• Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
• Target 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.
• Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
• 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.
• 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.
• Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social, and environmental links between urban, peri-urban, and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

Based on the issues discussed in the article, these targets are relevant. They include reducing poverty (Target 1.2), promoting relevant skills for employment (Target 4.4), empowering women through technology (Target 5.b), supporting job creation and innovation (Target 8.3), increasing access to information and communications technology (Target 9.c), promoting social and economic inclusion (Target 10.2), strengthening development planning in rural areas (Target 11.a), and ensuring effective institutions (Target 16.6).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:

• The number of households enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (mentioned multiple times in the article)
• The number of households receiving the monthly discount (mentioned multiple times in the article)
• The number of military families benefiting from the program (mentioned in the article)
• The number of Americans aged 50 or older benefiting from the program (mentioned in the article)
• The availability and affordability of alternative options provided by companies like Verizon and Cox (mentioned in the article)
• The number of households accessing free internet at libraries (mentioned in the article)
• The number of public wireless internet hotspots available in Arizona (mentioned in the article)

These indicators can be used to track progress towards the targets, such as the reduction of poverty, increased access to relevant skills, empowerment of women, job creation, and improved connectivity in rural areas.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table