Guest Commentary: Free or low-cost internet is available for Delawareans
Bethany Hall-Long is the lieutenant governor of Delaware. Mike Purzycki is the mayor of Wilmington. Robin Christiansen is the mayor of Dover. Arthur Campbell is the mayor of Milford.
School is out, and summer is officially here in Delaware. But, even as we take more time with family picnics or summer camp, we’re still looking for ways to stay connected.
Summer can be a valuable time to get students caught up on math or reading, either at the library or at home using online resources. And, for families, those online resources can be a lifeline to job opportunities, community resources, mental health support and so much more. That’s why we’ve come together as federal, state and local government partners to make sure that all Delawareans can afford to access the internet.
The Affordable Connectivity Program gives a $30 monthly discount on home internet services and can help Delaware families get low-cost or even free internet plans. This program is funded by the Biden administration’s bipartisan infrastructure law, championed by Delaware’s congressional delegation.
We believe that access to reliable internet is just as important as access to other utilities, like electricity and water. We found that to be especially true over the last few years, as families became increasingly reliant on home internet for school, work, news and entertainment. It’s no longer a luxury for families; it’s a necessity.
The problem is, home internet can be expensive, making it out of reach for many families in our state. And the digital divide is real. For instance, according to a Pew Research Center national survey, close to a quarter of rural Americans and 13% of residents who live in urban areas say access to high-speed internet is a major problem where they live. Those gaps limit opportunities.
However, programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program level the playing field, ensuring that no one is left behind. Households with incomes at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines; households with a member that has received a federal Pell Grant; or households that participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or Supplemental Security Income, among other federal programs, are all eligible for ACP. Several internet service providers in Delaware have agreed to offer home internet plans for $30 a month to those that qualify. That means some Delawareans may qualify for free home internet. The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount per household.
The state and our partners at EducationSuperHighway — a nonprofit that aims to close the digital divide — have created a tool for Delawareans to check if they qualify and help them enroll. To start the four steps to get connected, visit getacp.org/de.
Every Delawarean deserves access to the internet. That access sets our residents up for success, supporting families and children as they go through all the milestones in life — school, work and so much more. This program will help us get there. We encourage you to research your eligibility today and take advantage of this low-cost or free internet program.
For information about the Affordable Connectivity Program, visit getacp.org/de.
For information about broadband expansion, visit broadband.delaware.gov.
For information about the bipartisan infrastructure law, visit de.gov/infrastructure
