We are experiencing technical difficulties with our event registration system

Please contact Pauline Spheekas to register for events

Skip to Main Content
  • About
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Member Directory
  • Membership
    • Membership Benefits
    • Membership FAQ
    • Join NEC
  • Issues
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Energy & Environment
    • Financial Services
    • Healthcare
    • Higher Education
    • Housing
    • Technology & Innovation
    • Trade
    • Transportation & Infrastructure
    • Partnerships for Talent Pipeline Directory
  • News
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
    • 2025 Centennial Celebration
    • Washington Leaders’ Conference
    • Politics & Eggs
    • Inside the Corner Office
    • Rising Stars Network
    • Celebrating 100 Years
      • New England Council Fellows Program
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Contact
  • About
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Member Directory
  • Membership
    • Membership Benefits
    • Membership FAQ
    • Join NEC
  • Issues
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Energy & Environment
    • Financial Services
    • Healthcare
    • Higher Education
    • Housing
    • Technology & Innovation
    • Trade
    • Transportation & Infrastructure
    • Partnerships for Talent Pipeline Directory
  • News
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
    • 2025 Centennial Celebration
    • Washington Leaders’ Conference
    • Politics & Eggs
    • Inside the Corner Office
    • Rising Stars Network
    • Celebrating 100 Years
      • New England Council Fellows Program
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Contact

News

Jan 25, 2024Blog | Council News, Diversity & Inclusion, Technology & Innovation

Council Urges Congress to Renew Funding for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

On January 25, 2024, The New England Council sent letters to the New England Congressional Delegation urging them to renew funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) before it is estimated to run out in April 2024. The ACP was launched by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on December 31, 2021, to comply with the Congressional directives in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  The program is a $14.2 billion successor program to the Emergency Broadband Benefit, which enabled nearly 9 million Americans to afford home broadband during the pandemic. This was a well-timed and much needed affordability solution as nationwide, two-thirds of the entire digital divide is due to affordability. Over 22 million Americans, including more than 786,000 households across New England, currently rely on the ACP for affordable internet service. However, if Congress does not prioritize extending funding for the ACP this year, participants will see an increase in their internet bill and may face losing internet service altogether.

This would occur just as states prepare to make the biggest broadband investment in history. Specifically, the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program relies on individuals being able to afford broadband access in order to incentivize the construction of high-speed broadband infrastructure in currently underserved areas. States are structuring these BEAD grant awards and ISPs are working through calculations on whether infrastructure build-outs are profitable in rural areas. By allowing ACP to lapse, ISPs will inevitably rethink their calculations and may change or scrap construction plans all together. Without ACP, the BEAD program cannot fully accomplish its mission.

For more information on the Council’s Technology & Innovation Working Group, and work to ensure equitable access to broadband, please contact Mariah Healy.

read the letter

Council Related News
Read Article Blog | Council News

Now Available – Episode 28: Patrick W. McDermott, Norfolk County Sheriff

Read Article Blog | Council News, Member News, Diversity & Inclusion

NEC Members Invited to Participate in Women’s Leadership Impact Study

Read Article Media Coverage | Council Events, Council News

Congressman Neal slams Trump tariffs after filing resolution to override the president

Read Article Press Release | Council News

New England Council Selects Six Non-Profit Organizations to Host Inaugural Class of New England Council Fellows

Read Article Blog | Council News

New England Council Announces Selection of Six Non-profit Organizations for New Fellowship Program

View Related News

©2025 New England Council
All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy Website Design by Jackrabbit

Boston Office

98 North Washington Street
Suite 303
Boston, MA 02114

(617) 723-4009

necouncil@newenglandcouncil.com

Washington Office

1411 K Street, NW
Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20005

(202) 547-0048

necouncil@newenglandcouncil.com

Website Design by Jackrabbit