Extension of Affordable Connectivity Program: In a pivotal move on January 10, 2024, Tom Ferree, the esteemed Chairman & CEO of Connected Nation, issued a compelling endorsement for the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024. This crucial legislation, ardently supported by Representatives Clarke & Fitzgerald in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senators Welch, Vance, Cramer, and Rosen in the U.S. Senate, calls for immediate attention. Simultaneously, Ferree implores Congress to fortify and make enduring this program through a comprehensive restructuring of the Universal Service Fund (USF).
The perennial challenge of broadband affordability has persistently plagued Connected Nation, embodying the very essence of the enduring Digital Divide in America. This stark reality is a direct consequence of the monthly service costs consistently eluding the financial reach of countless Americans.
The genesis of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was an imperative response born out of the exigency induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbating the connectivity needs of communities. It has evolved into an indispensable initiative, a lifeline ensuring that myriad American households can seamlessly access top-tier home Internet services without succumbing to financial strain.
Projections ominously forecast the complete depletion of the program’s financial resources by April, prompting an urgent call for Congress to intervene. This intervention goes beyond mere program salvage; it is a dire necessity, likened to securing elemental foundations such as clean water provision and the maintenance of secure road networks.
Connected Nation passionately implores Congress to ratify the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 to sustain program funding throughout the year. Subsequently, there is a resounding call for swift action on a more extensive federal USF overhaul, ensuring a consistent and enduring financial conduit for ACP that Americans can confidently depend upon.
In the digital landscape, the vibrancy of a connected society hinges upon the accessibility and affordability of high-quality Internet services. This is not merely a matter of policy; it is an acknowledgment of the indispensable role that connectivity plays in the fabric of contemporary life. As Connected Nation underscores the imperative for Congressional action, the reverberating echo transcends legislative technicalities and resonates with the profound human need for connectivity.
