WASHINGTON, DC – Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman today sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel regarding payment issues Pennsylvanians are experiencing with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP was designed to expand access to reliable broadband by providing eligible households with discounts of up to $30 per month on their internet bills. Nationally, it helps 21 million households afford high-speed, reliable broadband. In Pennsylvania alone, over 700,000 households benefit from the program.
“This is wrong. ACP exists to cover these costs. If the providers force them to pay, it means the program is not living up to its original mission,” wrote Senator Fetterman. “This is a critical program and a lifeline for Americans to access broadband, which was once seen as a luxury but is now a necessity. As my colleagues and I work to find long-term funding solutions for ACP, both the FCC and companies that administer and benefit from ACP must do right by Americans who rely on the it.”
In his letter, Senator Fetterman expressed concerns that some eligible households have encountered issues receiving their benefits. Specifically, some service providers are requiring that users show paid receipt of one month of service before qualifying for the discount. As a result, families are being forced to foot the bill of the first month, which could in many cases causes financial hardship.
The full letter is HERE.
