News
Despite the looming end of the nation’s largest broadband subsidy, the nation’s largest private broadband provider is doubling down on a commitment to low-income households.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Cox Communications will continue their commitment to low-cost internet, even after the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), according to a recent announcement from the largest private broadband company in the country.
In the past weeks, representatives at Cox have been reaching out to customers impacted by the loss of the ACP to make sure they understand options for low-income households provided by the firm.
The company’s Apr. 24 announcement said Cox will continue their Connect2Compete Internet Plan, the ConnectAssist Internet Plan, and affordable mobile plans “starting at $15 per gigabit per line.”
According to Cox, the Connect2Compete Internet Plan is a $9.95 per month service for households with a school-age child in the home that participate in the National School Lunch Program or accept SNAP benefits. The ConnectAssist Internet Plan, meanwhile, is described as “a $30 per month service for low-income households that participate in select government programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, Public Housing, Pell Grant and others.”
The ConnectAssist Internet Plan is available to all customers who receive ACP assistance and those who are eligible for it, Cox’s announcement stated.
Despite the anticipated end of the ACP, which runs out of funding at the end of this month, Cox Communications declared they will maintain an “unwavering dedication to digital equity and internet access.”
“Research shows a reliable broadband connection has significant positive impact on people’s lives,” said Mark Greatrex, the president of Cox Communications. “Our work does not start or stop with the (ACP), and we will continue providing access and affordable internet in the communities we serve.”
As previously reported by Broadband Communities, nearly 23 million households nationwide rely on the ACP, which provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands, according to the FCC.
Households are eligible for the ACP if their income is at or below 200 percent of poverty guidelines set by the government.
Despite efforts to renew funding for the program, including a push to approve The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024, the Republican led U.S. House of Representatives has still failed to approve the measure.
As for what ACP customers with Cox can expect next, the company “will continue to proactively communicate with customers to ensure they know how to activate their customizable internet plan.”
“To help ease challenges customers may face, Cox will pass along a federally funded partial ACP subsidy of $14 to consumers ($35 for households on tribal lands) in May,” the company’s recent announcement stated.
In total, Cox provides broadband services across 30 states and managed services for nearly 7 million homes and businesses nationwide, according to the company’s website.
