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Millions of low-income families could soon face steeper broadband internet bills



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Trumzz | Istock | Getty ImagesOver the past two years, millions of low-income U.S. households have received broadband internet at a discount through two consecutive government programs.But they could soon lose that benefit. More than 16 million U.S. households are currently enrolled in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, which offers a $30 discount on broadband services to qualifying low-income households. Funding for it is expected to run out next year.”In 2024, or when the money runs out, the program could be completely obliterated,” said Nicol Turner Lee, director of the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution. “Millions could be left in the dark without broadband service for the very same reasons they didn’t have it in the first place.” The Emergency Broadband Benefit, or EBB, which was approved by then-President Donald Trump in late 2020 and launched in February 2021, provided a $50 subsidy. About 9 million households enrolled. In December 2021, under President Joe Biden, …

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