Internet for All: Rep. Courtney Helps Seniors Connect to Free Broadband Program, Calls for Continued Funding
NORWICH, CT – Today, Rep. Joe Courtney and Claire Coleman, CT’s Consumer Counsel, gathered stakeholders at Marlborough’s Senior Center to help residents access the low-cost broadband program established by the federal infrastructure law.
Over 40 percent of older Americans do not have broadband access, limiting their access to essential services like tele-health, delivery services, and community resources. The Affordable Connectivity Program, launched in November 2021, provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and helps Americans purchase new devices.
Unfortunately, House Republicans’ recently released government spending package for the next fiscal year does not provide funding for the ACP, placing the program’s critical services in jeopardy.
“Access to high-speed internet is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity, especially for seniors looking to enroll in Medicare benefits or veterans accessing benefits through the PACT Act. Unfortunately, we know that Americans struggle to connect to broadband because of the cost, insufficient infrastructure in their community, and a lack of education. Thanks to the federal infrastructure law coupled with public outreach like we did today, we are addressing barriers and ensuring more residents in eastern Connecticut can get online,” said Rep. Joe Courtney. “The positive feedback we heard today from stakeholders and residents is just another example of why we need to continue funding the ACP so Americans can get online and stay online. Any attempts to kneecap the program’s work is a disservice. I am appreciative of the Office of Consumer Counsel, the AARP, and the Library Consortium’s ongoing commitment to improving access to broadband.”
“As we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, affordable and reliable internet access is critical to everyday life,” said Consumer Counsel Coleman. “Closing the digital divide for all Connecticut consumers is a key focus for the Office of Consumer Counsel. It is critical we continue to support programs that reduce barriers to accessing the internet like the Affordable Connectivity Program, which currently serves more than 162,000 eligible households in Connecticut. I am grateful to be part of today’s discussion alongside our partners in advocacy, AARP Connecticut and the Connecticut Library Consortium, and honored to join Congressman Courtney’s efforts to ensure long-term sustainability for this critical program.”
“I applaud Congressman Courtney for calling for additional funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Across Eastern Connecticut, public libraries are on the front lines helping people get online for job interviews, tele-medicine and e-government. Since the roll out of the ACP, many libraries are offering specific digital navigator staff members who can assist residents in applying for benefits. Libraries have long provided their communities with access to free WiFi, computers and devices, funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, however, is essential to making sure everyone can get online at home,” said Ellen Paul, Connecticut Library Consortium Executive Director.
“In CT more than 162,000 households rely on ACP each month and more than 75,000 - nearly half - are people 50-plus. This data confirms that affordability remains a significant barrier that prevents older adults in Connecticut from being online. AARP has been actively lobbying Congress and the Administration to fund the ACP, before the money runs out, while giving policymakers time to develop a long-term solution,” said Nora Duncan, AARP State Director.
Today’s discussion comes after Congressman Courtney and the Connecticut Congressional Delegation delivered a $144 million grant to expand high-speed internet access in Connecticut through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, another federal grant program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
To learn more about eligibility requirements for the Affordable Connectivity Program, click here.