Causes of the Most Recent Rise in Copper Prices

 

Due to the funds’ expiration date, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has stopped providing high-speed internet subsidies. Millions of Americans with low incomes may see an increase in their internet costs as a result of this decision.

Since 2022, the Affordable Connectivity Program has helped a large number of low-income families in America obtain more affordable internet. Despite calls for additional support, Congress only provided funding for it once, and that support terminated this month. Users who are impacted must look for local options and any residual subsidies.

Congress stopped funding the Affordable Connectivity Program, therefore it ended on Saturday. For two and a half years, almost 20 million Americans with modest incomes depended on the program to lower their internet bills.

With bipartisan backing, the initiative offered internet access discounts of up to $30 per month (or $75 in tribal communities). Some participating ISPs increased the speeds of their inexpensive plans or made their basic service $30/month. The primary objective was to provide internet at the new FCC broadband requirement of 100Mbps at $30/month.

Later, the initiative was challenged by Republican politicians who claimed that many of the houses in it already had internet. The FCC disagreed, stating that without assistance, 77% of the 23 million recipients would have to cut back on or discontinue service.

 

The funding dropped to $14 a month in May 2024. In January, an Act was presented to temporarily increase funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

According to the FCC, the BEAD Program may find it more difficult to manage its finances if the ACP is discontinued. Biden’s plan to increase internet access, particularly in rural regions, includes this $42 billion project.

According to the White House, until 2024, some internet providers will give affordable plans to 10 million qualified households. The following telecom providers offer discounts to both new and existing clients:

• Allo Fiber
• Altafiber (and Hawaiian Telcom)
• Astound Broadband
• AT&T
• Comcast
• Cox
• IdeaTek
• Mediacom
• MLGC
• Optimum
• Spectrum (Charter Communications)
• Starry
• Verizon
• Vermont Telephone Company

 

A number of other internet service providers, including NetZero, Human-I-T, and Xfinity, provide affordable plans or financial aid. Additionally, certain households can qualify for Lifeline, a government program that provides a monthly savings of $9.25.