Cable companies to effectively offer free Internet to low-income households

According to a White House statement released Monday, the Biden administration said it had received pledges from 20 ISPs to lower prices or increase speed to serve low-income households.

According to the White House, the news means millions of homes can get high-speed Internet. Low-income households who qualify for the Affordable Care Program passed by Congress can get up to $30 off their internet bill per month. Since ISPs committed to the White House have agreed to offer high-speed Internet packages to ACP households for no more than that amount, customers will effectively be able to get free Internet service.

The White House said the pledges came from companies including AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast (the parent company that owns CNBC NBCUniversal). In general, participating ISPs provide high-speed Internet to locations where more than 80% of the US population and nearly 50% of rural residents live.

According to the White House, high-speed plans should provide download speeds of at least 100 megabits per second wherever the ISP infrastructure can afford.

As part of the program, Verizon has reduced the cost of its Fios service from $39.99 per month to $30 per month to offer upload and download speeds of at least 200 megabits per second, the White House said. In addition, spectrum has doubled its plan speed from $30 per month to 50 to 100 megabits per second download speeds for ACP subscribers.

The administration also launched GetInternet.gov to show users how to register with ACP and find local providers part of the program. He also plans to reach eligible households through other government assistance programs they may receive, such as B. Pell Grants or Medicaid.