Opinion: Protect affordable internet access for Granite Staters 50-plus

Improving Quality of Life for Older New Hampshire Residents through Affordable Internet Access

Introduction

Christina FitzPatrick of Bow is AARP NH State Director. Visit aarp.org/ACP for more information.

The Importance of Internet Access

It’s not hard to understand why a program that connects lower income Granite Staters to the internet has improved their quality of life. Without access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet, and the digital skills needed to use it, too many older New Hampshire residents are not able to fully participate in today’s economy.

The Impact of Limited Internet Access

They risk missing out on opportunities like online learning, accessing important services, and keeping social connections crucial to their well-being. They can’t shop online for essentials like groceries and may not be able to virtually see their doctors or health care specialists, who may be located miles away.

Barriers to Internet Access

Unfortunately, the lack of accessible and affordable high-speed internet also serves as a barrier for many who find themselves increasingly isolated and without many options for maintaining these vital connections.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

That’s why AARP fought for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP); a federal program designed to help eliminate some of the financial barriers to high-speed internet access. The ACP provides internet discounts of up to $30 a month for qualifying households, or up to $75 for those living on tribal lands. Right now, almost more than 38,000 New Hampshire households receive a discount on their internet bill thanks to the ACP. And nearly half of those households are age 50-plus.

The Future of the ACP

But now this important program is in jeopardy. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and internet service providers are already beginning to wind down the program by contacting enrollees. The good news is there is bipartisan support for extending the ACP. But unless Congress acts now to continue funding for the ACP, it will run out of funding in April 2024. Those who are currently enrolled in the program will no longer receive a discount on their internet bill.

A Personal Story

Losing the discount would be a serious hardship for ACP recipient Thelma Hall who lost her job because of an injury and lost her internet service because she had no income to pay her bill. Because of the program, Thelma has access to e-mail to communicate with family and friends and can make doctor’s appointments, shop for groceries, and take classes.

Call to Action

Time is running out to protect 38,000 Granite State households from losing their internet access. Without this program, many lower income residents will lose their internet access and be cut off from jobs, medical appointments, friends, and family. That’s why AARP is urging Congress to support the bipartisan bills to fund the ACP and help adults 50+ access affordable and reliable high-speed internet.

Contact Information

Residents who are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program now are encouraged to contact their internet service providers or call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575 to learn more about how this could affect them.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses how the lack of accessible and affordable high-speed internet serves as a barrier for lower income individuals, potentially leading to poverty.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article mentions that without internet access, individuals may not be able to virtually see their doctors or health care specialists, impacting their well-being.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article highlights how the lack of internet access can prevent individuals from accessing online learning opportunities.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article mentions that without internet access, individuals may be cut off from jobs and economic opportunities.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article emphasizes how the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps lower income individuals access affordable and reliable high-speed internet, reducing inequalities in digital access.

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

• Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property – The ACP aims to provide internet discounts to lower income households, ensuring equal access to basic services like high-speed internet.
• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all – The article highlights how internet access is crucial for individuals to virtually see their doctors or health care specialists, contributing to universal health coverage.
• 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 – The lack of internet access can hinder individuals from acquiring relevant skills through online learning opportunities.
• Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services – Internet access is essential for individuals to participate in the digital economy and access job opportunities.
• 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 ACP helps reduce inequalities in digital access by providing internet discounts to lower income households.

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

• Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure – This indicator measures the progress towards ensuring equal rights to economic resources and access to basic services. While not explicitly mentioned in the article, the ACP can contribute to improving access to basic services like high-speed internet for lower income individuals.
• Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (defined as the average coverage of essential services based on tracer interventions that include reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and service capacity and access, among the general and the most disadvantaged population) – This indicator measures the progress towards achieving universal health coverage. Internet access can contribute to the coverage of essential health services by enabling individuals to virtually access healthcare services.
• Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill – This indicator measures the progress towards increasing the number of individuals with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship. The lack of internet access can hinder individuals from acquiring ICT skills through online learning opportunities.
• Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex – This indicator measures the progress towards promoting decent job creation and formalization. Internet access is essential for individuals to access job opportunities, including formal employment.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability – This indicator measures the progress towards reducing inequalities. The ACP helps reduce inequalities in digital access by providing internet discounts to lower income households.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators