About the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a government benefit program operated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that provides discounts on monthly broadband Internet access service and certain connected devices. The ACP monthly service and device discounts cannot be transferred to another household or individual. An eligible household is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount. ACP benefits may be obtained from any participating provider of your choosing and your monthly service benefit may be transferred to another provider at any time. ACP services and devices are subject to consumer eligibility, provider participation, product availability, and approval by the FCC/Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The ACP was launched on December 31, 2021, and replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. Subscribers enrolled in the EBB as of December 31, 2021 may keep their EBB benefit for 60 days and must transition to the ACP benefit on March 1, 2022, if eligible.
AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM FAQ's
What are the ACP discount amounts?
The ACP provides discounts of up to $30 on monthly broadband Internet access service (or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands) and up to $100 on certain connected devices (with a required co-pay of between $10 and $50).
Who is eligible for ACP discounts on broadband service?
The ACP shares the same qualifying program based eligibility criteria as Lifeline—participation in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, and Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Fund. Additional eligibility criteria are unique to ACP and do not qualify for Lifeline—Pell Grants (current award year recipients), WIC Program and Free and Reduced Price School Lunch and Breakfast Program (including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision) participation, and income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. ACP eligibility will be determined for the FCC by USAC’s National Verifier and National Lifeline Accountability Database, or an alternative verification process approved by the FCC.
What rules apply to me when I participate in the program?
Only eligible consumers may receive ACP discounts. The ACP monthly service and device discounts cannot be transferred to another household or individual. An eligible household is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount. ACP discount recipients must either make or answer a voice call (if your device is capable), send a text message (if your device is capable), use data, purchase minutes, or respond to direct contact from us at least once during any 30-day period to continue receiving your ACP discounted service.
If I already receive Lifeline benefits will I automatically receive the ACP benefit?
No. You must opt-in and choose an eligible service plan. Lifeline plans and benefits may be maintained without enrolling in the ACP. If you want to apply for ACP service only, go to https://accesswireless.com.
Can I choose my ACP provider?
ACP benefits may be obtained from any participating provider of your choosing and your monthly service benefit may be transferred to another provider at any time.
How is Lifeline different from the ACP?
Lifeline is the FCC’s permanent program to support affordable access to essential communications services such as broadband Internet access. The ACP is a new program designed to provide additional support to make broadband more affordable for struggling households. Your Lifeline and ACP benefits can be combined and applied to the same service plan or applied to different service plans. If you would like to have your ACP plan on a separate device with a different phone number, please call customer care at 611 or 866-594-3644 right after you opt-in. Additional charges may apply. Lifeline participants may choose to take ACP benefits from another service provider.
If I enrolled in the EBB Program, will I continue to receive my EBB discount?
The FCC is phasing out the EBB and replacing it with the ACP beginning on December 31, 2021. Eligible subscribers who are enrolled in EBB Services as of 6:00 PM Eastern Time on December 30, 2021, will continue to receive service with an up to $50 EBB program subsidy (or for households on Tribal lands, up to $75) during a 60-day transition period, which lasts from December 31, 2021 to March 1, 2022. The discount amount available to subscribers who are enrolled in the ACP after the transition period will be up to $30 per month (up to $75 in Tribal lands). EBB subscribers who qualified for the EBB through eligibility criteria that are not applicable to the ACP will be required by USAC to demonstrate their eligibility in the National Verifier to receive an ACP benefit using the ACP criteria before the end of the transition period. EBB subscribers will receive additional information if they are required to take additional steps to transition to the ACP benefit on March 1, 2022.
What service plans does Access Wireless offer with the ACP discount?
You can apply your ACP discount to any available Access Wireless service plan. Service plans are posted on Access Wireless’s website at http://www.accesswireless.com.
What download and upload speeds will I receive?
Access Wireless provides high-speed broadband service to ACP customers. Your service plan terms and conditions may limit the amount of high-speed data included with your service plan and the actual speeds you will achieve while using our broadband services. Maximum speeds are optimal for real-time or near real-time, high-bandwidth uses, but lower speeds may affect your ability to stream audio and video, access certain websites and content, or interact with available applications. Other factors, including your device, network availability from our underlying carrier, your proximity to cellular towers, and environmental factors, may affect speeds. For additional information about broadband speeds, visit https://www.accesswireless.com/support/open-internet-transparency-statement.
How long will the ACP last?
The ACP benefit is subject to funding availability from the FCC, provider participation, and consumer eligibility. If the FCC announces that funding has been exhausted, we discontinue our ACP service offers, or we determine you are no longer eligible for the ACP, we will notify you and you will revert to receiving only the standard FREE Lifeline plan where available and if you are eligible, or you may keep your service plan by paying the applicable undiscounted rate plus fees and taxes. Our terms and conditions will apply.
What else do I need to know?
Our ACP Terms and Conditions apply, available at http://www.accesswireless.com/acp, in addition to any others communicated to you that are specific to your service plan. For more information about the ACP, you can call us at 611 or 866-594-3644.