Congressman Castro, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Work to Close the Digital Divide at Affordable Connectivity Program Kickoff in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO – On Wednesday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Federal Communications Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel held a kickoff event at Dwight Middle School in San Antonio to help local families enroll in low-cost, high-speed internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program. The event brought together local families, community partners including BiblioTech and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), and digital inclusion experts from San Antonio and Washington D.C.
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“For years, San Antonio’s local and federal leaders have been working hard to expand internet access to more households and close the digital divide,” said Congressman Castro. “The Affordable Connectivity Program will supercharge those efforts and open up new opportunities for San Antonians to learn, find good-paying jobs, and connect with the outside world. Thank you to FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel and the community partners who joined yesterday’s event to help families enroll.”
“Broadband is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for everyone, everywhere. San Antonio gets that. From learning about LULAC’s work to support first-generation college students and their connectivity needs to listening to public housing residents share their experience signing up for the Affordable Connectivity Program, it’s clear that the city of San Antonio shares a commitment to making sure families can get online and stay online,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Thank you to Congressman Castro for hosting me and for his efforts to promote the nation’s largest broadband affordability program. We’ve already enrolled 12 million households, and the lessons learned in Texas will serve as inspiration to get even more families across the country connected.”
In November 2021, Congressman Castro voted to create the Affordable Connectivity Program, a federal initiative that lowers the cost of high-speed internet for low-income families. The program was established as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which also allocated at least $100 million to expand broadband coverage in the state of Texas. According to estimates from the White House, nearly 30 percent of Texans are eligible for discounted internet service through the Affordable Connectivity Program.
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount up to $30/month off the cost of internet service for qualifying households. These households can also receive a one-time discount up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from qualifying providers.
Texans with income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines ($55,500 for a family of four) are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Households can also be eligible if one or more members participates in SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits, free or reduced-price school lunch, Federal Pell Grant, or Lifeline.
To learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program, visit https://getinternet.gov/.
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