Opinion: Gibbs says Affordable Connectivity Program is crucial for rural Ohio
In an era driven by connectivity, access to the internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has emerged as a crucial lifeline for low-income Americans, bridging the digital divide and providing them with essential online resources - regardless of their line of work or area of residency.
With the ACP’s funding projected to expire as soon as the first quarter of next year, leaders in Congress will need to find a commonsense solution to extend this program to ensure the over 18 million American households that rely on the ACP - including almost 1 million households in Ohio - do not get disconnected.
Rural Americans in particular are depending on this much-needed program to be extended, not only because it assists many of them in obtaining a connection, but because it also will play a key role in enabling an effective rollout of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which is aimed at expanding broadband infrastructure to our nation’s rural, unserved areas that currently lack access.
The ACP will allow rural Americans to take advantage of the BEAD program’s investments, while also ensuring tax dollars are used to their maximum potential.
Knowing the critical role the ACP plays in assisting the BEAD program, eight GOP senators, including Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, recently sent a letter to the White House calling for the ACP’s funding to be extended, noting rural broadband infrastructure development programs “operate hand-in-glove with the Affordable Connectivity Program to achieve the goal of universal broadband.”
Study: ACP reduces amount of BEAD subsidy
The numbers back this up. A recently published study by Boston Consulting Group found the ACP’s existence “reduces the amount of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program subsidy needed to incentivize providers to build in rural areas by 25% per household.” The study also notes , if Congress fails to extend the ACP’s funding, taxpayer dollars will be used to overpay for broadband deployments and “federal dollars will end up funding deployments to significantly fewer unserved and underserved homes and businesses.”
Without the ACP, we will fall behind in a fight that we can’t afford to lose - bridging the digital divide for rural Americans, who are often at a disadvantage when it comes to getting internet access – and getting ahead economically.
Connectivity is a catalyst for economic growth and vitality in rural communities. It allows businesses, both small and large, to leverage digital platforms, expand their customer base, and compete in the global marketplace. E-commerce, telecommuting, and online entrepreneurship opportunities thrive when reliable broadband is in place. With access to high-speed internet, rural businesses can overcome geographical barriers, create jobs, and drive local economic development.
But the internet also provides so many benefits outside of its endless array of economic advantages. It allows students to access the online assignments and learning materials that they need for school, it delivers telehealth services to Americans that require more frequent doctors visits or mental health appointments, and it’s invaluable for communication in general, so a family member or friend can keep in contact with a loved one even if they live in a distant state.
No one deserves to miss out on all of these essential services simply because they live in a more rural area, where broadband is unavailable. The ACP must be extended to ensure that all Americans are able to access the connectivity they need.
Bob Gibbs, Lakeville, is a retired United States congressman from Holmes County.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Bob Gibbs supports Affordable Connectivity Program for rural Ohio
