Thousands of Kansas could lose online access as Affordable Connectivity Program runs out
Thousands of Kansas could lose online access as Affordable Connectivity Program runs out WIBW
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Thousands of Kansans at Risk of Losing Home Internet due to Program Ending
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Thousands of Kansans could lose their home internet this spring as an internet discount program is set to run out soon.
The Impact on Kansans
We spoke with one organization on the scope of the impact Kansans could experience.
“Coming out of the pandemic we learned a lot about the value of the internet” Adeyinka Ogunlegan, Vice President of Government Affairs at Education Super Highway.
According to Education Super Highway, about 134,000 households in Kansas rely on the Affordable Connectivity Program or (ACP) to stay online.
“I heard a story about a grandmother who had not seen her grandchildren in two years but because she had internet service through this program she was able to do video calls with them,” says Ogunlegan.
But on April 30th, the monthly broadband benefit will end and enrolled households will see a spike in their internet bill and potentially lose service entirely.
“We will see families having to make tough choices whether or not they can sustain their internet service. We know that some providers are creating stop-gap programs to keep their customers online but lots of customers will be faced with the tough economic choice of whether or not they can afford to keep their service,” says Ogunlegan.
Adeyinka Ogunlegan, Vice President of Government Affairs at Education Super Highway says unless Congress acts soon, about 8,000 veteran households, 28,000 senior households, and 41,000 households with income below the federal poverty line will be affected in Kansas.
“It would take some other legislative action to get the program going again but by that point you have lost the trust of so many people who have relied on this program. It took a long time to get to the point where 23 million households were enrolled. It took a lot of community outreach on the groundwork from so many stakeholders we would lose that trust then have to start over again,” says Ogunlegan.
Call for Action
Legislation to fund an additional $7 billion awaits a chance to make it to the senate floor.
Education Super Highway urges people to call on our congressmen to support the bill. You can do so by visiting dontdisconnectus.org.
Copyright 2024 WIBW. All rights reserved.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 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.
- SDG 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.
- SDG 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.
- SDG 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators. However, potential indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets include:
- Number of households enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
- Percentage of households with access to affordable internet services
- Number of households affected by the end of the monthly broadband benefit
- Number of households that can sustain their internet service after the end of the program
- Number of households below the federal poverty line affected by the end of the program
- Number of households with income below the federal poverty line that can afford to keep their internet service
- Number of households with access to internet services in least developed areas
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 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. | N/A |
| 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. | Number of households enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) |
| 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. | Percentage of households with access to affordable internet services Number of households affected by the end of the monthly broadband benefit Number of households that can sustain their internet service after the end of the program Number of households below the federal poverty line affected by the end of the program Number of households with income below the federal poverty line that can afford to keep their internet service |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources. | N/A |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: wibw.com
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