Verizon is offering free Internet service to qualifying households via its participation in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
The initiative, Fios Forward, is an element of Citizen Verizon, the company’s initiative to support economic, environmental and social advancement. Verizon says that its investment in the program the 2020-2025 timeframe will be more than $3 billion.
The ACP supports qualifying households with $30 towards connectivity. The amount is $75 on tribal lands. Participating households that contribute between $10 and $30 also can get as much as $100 toward the cost of a device.
Fios Forward and ACP will provide high speed Internet with no data caps or extra fees or equipment costs. Speeds start at 200 Mbps upstream and down.
Those wishing to participate must have a Fios Mix & Match plan and first have their applications approved for ACP. The ACP discounts can be applied to home or mobile postpaid or prepaid plans. Those without access to Fios can use the discount on 5G Home, LTE Home, HSI/DSL and mobile prepaid and postpaid unlimited and metered plans.
ACP eligibility is set by the FCC and verified by the Universal Service Administrative Company. Those previously enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, enrolled in Lifeline, or who participate in federal programs such as Medicaid or Social Security or who have a household income of less than 200% of the federal poverty guideline are eligible.
Other discounts also may be available. Verizon customers in Maryland who are enrolled in ACP can receive an additional subsidy of up to $15 per month from the Maryland Broadband Benefit program.
Verizon isn’t the only company offering ACP broadband.
On March 1, Comcast said that any tier of its Xfinity Internet service is eligible for the $30 per month benefit through the program.
In February, AT&T said that it would offer service through ACP.
In early February, Vice President Kamala Harris said that 10 million people had enrolled in the ACP.
