Affordability Bill

Broadband Affordability

Explore the broadband affordability resources page, featuring local Internet provider lists and information on affordability programs
to help you access affordable internet options in your area.

Affordable Content Connectivity Program ARCHIVE

Affordable Connectivity Program

ACP Consumer Complaints
The FCC is committed to supporting households previously enrolled in the ACP through the agency’s consumer complaint process. By filing a consumer complaint and sharing their experience, consumers contribute to federal enforcement and consumer protection efforts on a national scale and help us identify trends and track the issues that matter most to consumers, including internet affordability.

To submit a consumer complaint:

Online: consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
Phone: 888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225- 5322)
En Espanol: Haga su reclamo en línea consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
o llame al 1-888-225- 5322 para recibir atención en español.

ACP Consumer Complaint Guide

Affordable Connectivity Program
Registration Closed February 7, 2024

FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
(previously known as the "Emergency Broadband Benefit "EBB" program)
The Affordable Connectivity Program provided a discount of:

Up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households
Up to $75 per month for eligible households located on Tribal lands.
Up to $100 (one-time) to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price

The Affordable Connectivity Program was limited
to one discounted monthly service plan per household.

Two Steps to Enroll:

Go to ACPBenefit.org to submit an application
or print out a mail-in application; and
Contact your preferred participating internet service provider
to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

Find local internet service providers that were participating in program
https://acpbenefit.org/companies-near-me
NDIA National List of Free and Low-cost Service Providers

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Wind-Down
ACP Registration Scheduled to Close February 7, 2024

In 2021, Congress established the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, appropriating $14.2 billion. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was tasked to develop and implement the ACP as well as ACP outreach and awareness activities. As of January 2024, over 22 million households are enrolled and receiving the ACP monthly benefit. For more general information about the ACP, visit GetInternet.gov. ___________________________________________
What’s happening next?
Without additional funding from Congress, the allotted $14.2 billion to fund the ACP is projected to run out in April 2024 (this date is an estimate and may change). As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down the ACP, which means:

ACP applications and enrollments will not be processed after February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.
Households who have applied, been approved, and are receiving the monthly internet discount before February 8, 2024 will continue to receive their ACP benefit until ACP funds run out, as long as the household remains enrolled in the program.
After the ACP funds run out (projected in April 2024), households participating in the ACP will no longer receive the ACP discounts.

What does this mean for low-income households not in the ACP?

Because of the wind down of the program, the ACP will need to stop new enrollments. Starting February 8, 2024, no new enrollments will be accepted.
Eligible households that are not already enrolled and who wish to receive the ACP benefit should complete an application at GetInternet.gov as soon as possible to allow time for the processing of your application. Once your application is qualified, you must sign up with an internet company by February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET to start receiving your benefit.
If you qualified for the ACP but you did not sign up with an internet company before February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET, then you can no longer enroll in the ACP.

How does wind-down impact enrolled ACP households?

Households that are enrolled in ACP will continue to receive monthly discounted internet service through the end of the ACP.
During the ACP wind-down period, ACP households will receive notices from their internet company about the impact of the end of the benefit on how the household’s bill and service. The notices will tell households:
(1) that the ACP is ending,
(2) the impact on their bill,
(3) the date of the last bill they will receive that includes the ACP benefit, and
(4) that they may change their service or opt-out of continuing service after the end of the ACP
ACP households may also switch their internet plans without penalty.

ACP households should:

Consistently check their emails for more information and for further updates regarding the ACP benefit. Also visit http://www.AffordableConnectivity.gov and www.fcc.gov/acp.
Contact their internet company for questions about how the end of the ACP will affect their monthly bill and to ask about available options.
Visit www.fcc.gov/acp to access answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and other guidance about the ACP wind-down process, including what households need to know about retaining internet service after the end of the ACP.
Contact USAC directly for any other questions about the ACP wind-down. Households can call the ACP Support Center at 877-384-2575 for information about their benefit.

What are the important dates I should be aware of regarding the ACP wind-down?

Starting late January 2024: Households that are currently receiving a monthly ACP benefit will start to receive notices from their internet providers with information about the end of the ACP benefit. This information will include timing of the end of the program and the impact of the loss of the benefit on the household’s bill and service.
February 7, 2024: This is the last day that the ACP will accept new applications and enrollments. Eligible households must be approved and enrolled with an internet company by 11:59 PM ET on February 7th to receive the ACP benefit. Starting February 8, 2024, there will be no more enrollments into the ACP.
April 2024: The FCC anticipates existing ACP funding to run out in April 2024 if Congress does not provide additional funding. Consumers that are enrolled in the ACP will continue to receive their benefit on their internet service through April 2024. This date is an estimate and may change.

Albuquerque: Affordable Connectivity Program & Internet Resource Fair

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Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Print Material for download from the Albuquerque Broadband Office

New Mexico Internet Service Providers

New Mexico Internet Service Providers

Participating Internet Service Providers
These Internet Service Providers (ISP) are the builders of the New Mexico Broadband Map. Every six months these companies provide their data on customer coverage and technology type to the New Mexico Broadband Program. These data are processed, verified, and uploaded to the NM Broadband Map and the National Broadband Map. The NMBBP is pleased that these companies realize the importance of sharing this information both for individual business opportunities and supporting integrated infrastructure planning.

List of Providers: A-F

List of Providers: G-M

List of Providers: N-S

List of Providers: T-U

List of Providers: V-Z

Low Cost Internet Plans

LOW COST INTERNET PLANS

NDIA Free and Low Cost Internet Plans
Explore this compilation of free and affordable internet options provided by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). Click Here

Low-income internet options in New Mexico

Frontier Fiber 200 Internet: Frontier is offering a $30-per-month deal on its Fiber 200 plan to help ease the transition from the ACP. The usual monthly price is $40. The discounted rate holds for 12 months, but there’s a $100 prorated early termination fee if you cancel before the year is up. A router is included. You don’t need to prove eligibility for an assistance program.
Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot: Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly.
Kinetic by Windstream Benefit Credit: Kinetic by Windstream’s ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy.
Optimum Advantage Internet: For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It’s also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month.
Spectrum Internet Assist: Spectrum’s $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants over 65).
TDS Connect: The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem included and no contracts required. TDS services Socorro in New Mexico.
Verizon Forward: Verizon Forward offers a discount of up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts. It can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. New customers who sign up before Sept. 3 may be able to get free internet for six months.
Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity’s Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $10 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds up to 50Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP.

New Mexico Office of Broadband