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FCC Issues Official Wind-Down Order for ACP; Last Day to Register February 7, 2024
On January 11, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an official wind-down order and guidance for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The full order can be found here: https://www.fcc.gov/document/affordable-connectivity-program-end-soon-barring-congressional-action-0
Because the program is running out of funding and Congress has yet to establish additional funds to continue the ACP, the FCC will stop accepting new enrollees on February 7, 2024 at 11:59pm. This means February 7 is the last day West Virginians can enroll in the ACP. The FCC must announce the final full month of ACP coverage 60 days prior to the program’s final month. The projected final month of ACP benefits is April 2024. This means that April would be the last month households would receive the full $30 discount on their monthly internet bill.
Internet service providers should begin notifying customers about the end of the program on January 25, 2024. The Office of Broadband encourages West Virginians currently enrolled in the ACP to contact their internet service provider to confirm they want to continue or discontinue their service after the end of the program.
More consumer information can be found here: https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-consumer-faq
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 provides a historic $65 billion investment to expand internet access and use throughout the United States. Four federal agencies are leading the nation’s Internet for All initiative with programs to support high-speed internet planning, data development, infrastructure, and adoption. These agencies include: the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“As Governor of the State of West Virginia, I have made broadband a top priority by launching West Virginia's Billion Dollar Broadband Strategy. I am absolutely committed to ensuring that every West Virginian has access to high-speed internet connectivity. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program will help us achieve that goal. We look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIA, and many stakeholders throughout West Virginia to implement this historic program. I have directed the West Virginia Department of Economic Development and its Office of Broadband to make sure that broadband connectivity is available everywhere throughout our great state. Working together, we will achieve internet connectivity for all West Virginians.”
Governor Jim Justice
Through Internet for All West Virginia, the WV Office of Broadband, WV Broadband Enhancement Council, and our partners will join with residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and numerous partners to develop West Virginia’s Digital Equity Plan and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Five-Year Action Plan as directed by the NTIA. We will be posting more information about these plans and on this site. Engagement with covered populations, unserved, and underserved locations as well as community anchor institutions is an essential part of the planning process. The Internet for All West Virginia initiative is designed to achieve digital equity throughout the Mountain State. Working together, West Virginia can achieve a more connected future.
Please visit these pages to learn more:
About Internet for All:
States and territories across the nation have joined the Internet For All Initiative and committed to connecting their communities to reliable high-speed internet for less through the National Information and Telecommunications Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and State Digital Equity Planning Grant Programs. These programs will provide more than $48 billion for the development and implementation of digital equity and inclusion initiatives, high-speed internet infrastructure deployment, digital skills training and access to internet-enabled technologies.
West Virginia is currently engaged in the programs outlined below under the leadership of the WV Office of Broadband.