The Affordable Connectivity Program, a pandemic-era initiative that helped millions of low-income households pay for internet service, ended in May after Congress failed to renew funding. The program’s expiration has left many families struggling to find affordable internet options, especially as the new school year approaches. In Pima County, Arizona, approximately 154,000 households in Districts 6 and 7 have been impacted by the loss of the subsidy, which provided $30 to $75 per month for internet service.
Michelle Simon, the Director of the Office of Digital Inclusion in Pima County, expressed concern about the consequences of losing internet access, stating, “Our children need internet access to do their homework or interact with their teachers. When they lose internet access at home, they’re no longer able to participate fully in our economy, in our society, in school, in health care, in education.”
The county is working to reach out to affected households and inform them about low-cost internet plans available in the area.
Affordable internet options for Pima residents
However, long-term solutions, such as the $1 billion in funding for broadband deployment announced by Gov. Katie Hobbs and the county’s plan to build an internet ring around the county, will take months or even years to implement. In the meantime, Pima County advises residents who have lost the subsidy to call 520-724-7694 to explore low-cost alternatives.
Some internet providers, such as Cox Cable and Comcast/Xfinity, offer low-cost programs in certain areas. The loss of the Affordable Connectivity Program has highlighted the importance of internet access in today’s society and the challenges faced by low-income households in maintaining connectivity. As Simon noted, “Our community members lack opportunity when they don’t have access to the internet.”
