Twenty internet providers have committed to cutting prices or increasing internet speeds for millions of lower-income U.S. families, President Joe Biden said.
“This is a case where big business stepped up,” Biden said in the White House Rose Garden during the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) presentation. “High-speed internet is not a luxury any longer. It’s a necessity”.
More than 40% of American households will qualify to get free or reduced bills by as much as $30 a month.
Commitments are part of an infrastructure law passed by Congress last year that was supported by Republicans and Democrats.
The Biden administration said 11.5 million families are already taking part in the $65 billion program.
Before executives of internet companies and along Vice president Kamala Harris, Biden thanked the national and regional providers participating in the program.
Companies include AT&T, Comcast, Frontier, Verizon Fios, Spectrum, Wow!, Allo, AltaFiber, Altice, Astound, Breezeline, Comporium, Cox Communications, IdaTek, Jackson Energy Authority, Mediacom, MLGC, Starry, Vermont Telephone Company and Vexus Fiber.
Participating providers cover about 80% of the US population and 50% of the nation’s rural population.
The Biden administration is launching GetInternet.gov, a site that will allow eligible households to connect providers and sign up for the ACP.
