BROADBAND SUBSIDY PROGRAM THAT MILLIONS USE WILL EXPIRE NEXT YEAR IF CONGRESS DOESN'T ACT
Techlife News|September 02, 2023
One of the features that President Joe Biden cited in his plan to bring internet to every home and business in the United States by 2030 was affordability. But an important federal program established to keep broadband costs down for low-income households is set to expire next year.
BROADBAND SUBSIDY PROGRAM THAT MILLIONS USE WILL EXPIRE NEXT YEAR IF CONGRESS DOESN'T ACT

The Affordable Connectivity Program has not reached everyone who is eligible. According to enrollment and census data, less than than 40% of eligible households have utilized the program, which provides monthly subsidies of $30, and in some cases, up to $75, to help pay for internet connections.

Still, the program has been a lifeline for Kimberlyn Barton-Reyes, who is paraplegic and visually impaired. Barton-Reyes did not have to wait for an in-person appointment when a seizure-alert system disconnected from her electric wheelchair in November. The company that services her chair assessed the problem remotely, ordered the parts she needed and got the chair fixed quickly.

“Most people are like ‘Internet is not a basic need,’” said Barton-Reyes, who lives in Austin, Texas. “It absolutely is for me.”

Barton-Reyes relies on Social Security disability insurance for her income while she takes part in a vocational program for adults who are newly blind. She is able to pay for her internet connection with an assist from the Affordable Connectivity Program. Barton-Reyes, who said an autoimmune issue damaged her vision, is working to get other eligible Austin residents signed up, too.

But the program’s future is uncertain. Its primary source of funding, a $14.2 billion allocation, is projected to run out by the middle of 2024.

That could end access to affordable broadband for millions of people and hinder the Biden administration’s push to bring connectivity to the people who need it most.

“ACP is the best tool we’ve ever had to help people afford broadband,” said Drew Garner, broadband policy advisor for Common Sense Media.

Advocacy groups are pushing Congress to extend the program.

Bu hikaye Techlife News dergisinin September 02, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Techlife News dergisinin September 02, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

TECHLIFE NEWS DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
SOUTH KOREA FINES META $15 MILLION FOR ILLEGALLY COLLECTING INFORMATION ON FACEBOOK USERS
Techlife News

SOUTH KOREA FINES META $15 MILLION FOR ILLEGALLY COLLECTING INFORMATION ON FACEBOOK USERS

South Korea’s privacy watchdog this week fined social media company Meta 21.6 billion won ($15 million) for illegally collecting sensitive personal information from Facebook users, including data about their political views and sexual orientation, and sharing it with thousands of advertisers.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 09, 2024
CHINESE ONLINE RETAILER TEMU FACES EUROPEAN UNION INVESTIGATION INTO ROGUE TRADERS AND ILLEGAL GOODS
Techlife News

CHINESE ONLINE RETAILER TEMU FACES EUROPEAN UNION INVESTIGATION INTO ROGUE TRADERS AND ILLEGAL GOODS

Chinese online retailer Temu is facing a European Union investigation over suspicions it’s failing to prevent the sale of illegal products, the 27-nation bloc’s executive arm said.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 09, 2024
CORNING FACES EU ANTITRUST SCRUTINY OVER GORILLA GLASS DEALS WITH PHONE MAKERS
Techlife News

CORNING FACES EU ANTITRUST SCRUTINY OVER GORILLA GLASS DEALS WITH PHONE MAKERS

Corning is facing European Union antitrust scrutiny after the bloc’s watchdog said this week it’s investigating the speciality glass maker’s exclusive deals for its Gorilla Glass used in cellphones.

time-read
1 min  |
November 09, 2024
NEW CEO AT CVS BEGINS TO BUILD HIS TEAM WITH A GOAL OF REVIVING THE STRUGGLING HEALTH CARE GIANT
Techlife News

NEW CEO AT CVS BEGINS TO BUILD HIS TEAM WITH A GOAL OF REVIVING THE STRUGGLING HEALTH CARE GIANT

CVS Health fell short on third-quarter profit, but it posted strong sales and the health care giant shook up leadership under new CEO David Joyner after a rough year that has sent shares plunging.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 09, 2024
NINTENDO REPORTS LOWER PROFITS AS DEMAND DROPS FOR ITS AGING SWITCH CONSOLE
Techlife News

NINTENDO REPORTS LOWER PROFITS AS DEMAND DROPS FOR ITS AGING SWITCH CONSOLE

Nintendo, the Japanese video game maker behind the Super Mario franchise, said Tuesday that its profit fell 60% in the first half of the fiscal year, as demand waned for its Switch console, now in its eighth year since going on sale.

time-read
1 min  |
November 09, 2024
AS THE DATA CENTER INDUSTRY BOOMS, AN ENGLISH VILLAGE BECOMES A BATTLEGROUND
Techlife News

AS THE DATA CENTER INDUSTRY BOOMS, AN ENGLISH VILLAGE BECOMES A BATTLEGROUND

Originally built to store crops from peasant farmers, the Tithe Barn on the edge of the English village of Abbots Langley was converted into homes that preserve its centuries of history.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 09, 2024
THE BEST SMALL SUVS FOR CITY DRIVING
Techlife News

THE BEST SMALL SUVS FOR CITY DRIVING

SUVs are popular in part due to their elevated ride height, commanding view of the road, and roomy interiors.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 09, 2024
GOOGLE MAPS ADDS AI FEATURES TO HELP USERS EXPLORE AND NAVIGATE THE WORLD AROUND THEM
Techlife News

GOOGLE MAPS ADDS AI FEATURES TO HELP USERS EXPLORE AND NAVIGATE THE WORLD AROUND THEM

Google Maps is heading down a new road steered by artificial intelligence.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 09, 2024
TESLA SHARES SOAR 14% AS TRUMP WIN SETS STAGE FOR ELON MUSK'S ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPANY
Techlife News

TESLA SHARES SOAR 14% AS TRUMP WIN SETS STAGE FOR ELON MUSK'S ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPANY

Shares of Tesla soared following an election that will send Donald Trump back to the White House, an outcome that has been strongly backed by CEO Elon Musk in the closing months of the race.

time-read
1 min  |
November 09, 2024
APPLE BREAKS OUT OF RECENT SALES SLUMP AS IT GEARS UP TO MAKE ITS LEAP INTO THE AI CRAZE
Techlife News

APPLE BREAKS OUT OF RECENT SALES SLUMP AS IT GEARS UP TO MAKE ITS LEAP INTO THE AI CRAZE

Apple snapped out of a recent iPhone sales slump during its summer quarter, an early sign that its recent efforts to revive demand for its marquee product with an infusion of artificial intelligence are paying off.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 09, 2024