FCC Establishes Affordable Connect Outreach Grant Program
Eligible Outreach Partners Will Help the Commission Raise Awareness About the Affordable
Connectivity Program and Increase Enrollment
Media Contact:
Mike Snyder
For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON, August 5, 2022—The Federal Communications Commission today established the
Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program to raise awareness about the nation’s largest
ever broadband affordability effort, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The Second
Report and Order approved by the Commission today directs the Commission’s Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau to develop, administer, and manage the program.
The ACP is already helping over 1
3
million low-income American households bridge the
connectivity divide by providing the affordable broadband services they need for work, school, and
healthcare and to fully participate in today’s world. Yet there are millions of eligible
households
that have not taken advantage of this opportunity.
Since the inception of the ACP, Commission staff have engaged in extensive outreach, including
numerous speaking engagements and enrollment events, and continue to seek out opportunities
to coordinate with other federal agencies. Throughout these efforts, the Commission has worked
closely with trusted local entities that are familiar with the communities they serve. However,
for
many of these partners, budget constraints limit the extent of ACP outreach they can perform
without additional financial support.
To raise awareness of ACP benefits, Congress included a provision in the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act for the Commission to conduct and fund ACP outreach, including providing grants to
outreach partners to ensure that eligible households can learn about the program and receive
assistance with the application process.
Funding for the Outreach Grant Program will come from the $100 million the Commission
designated for ACP outreach efforts in its order establishing rules for the ACP. Grants will support
governmental and non-governmental partners in conducting a wide range of outreach activities to
raise awareness of ACP and increase enrollment among eligible households.
Additional details on specific grant program requirements and the application process will be
provided at a later date.
The ACP plays an integral role in addressing affordability barriers to broadband access and
adoption by providing qualifying low-income households with a monthly discount of up to $30 per
month (and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands) as well as a one-time
$100 discount toward a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. To learn more about eligibility and
how to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program, visit
AffordableConnectivity.gov
.
Action by the Commission August 5, 2022 by Second Report and Order (FCC 22-64). Chairwoman
Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington approving. Chairwoman Rosenworcel,
Commissioners Carr and Starks issuing separate statements.
WC Docket No. 21-450
###
Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC /
www.fcc.gov
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission
order constitutes official action. See
MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).