ACP Alternatives for Low Cost Internet Service

Don’t be disconnected. You still have options for low-cost internet without the ACP. 

ACP internet, or the Affordable Connectivity Program, is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps low-income households pay for internet service. The ending of the Affordable Connectivity Program, on June 1, left 23 million households without a suitable alternative to low-income internet accessibility. A significant portion of those households were located in rural areas with limited internet options

But some ISPs have opted to include low-cost plans with slower speeds 

Although there is yet to be an affordable internet replacement program, you still have one or two options for a monthly discount on home internet. In some cases, you may also qualify for service from nonprofit PCs for People, which offers a widespread, affordable internet program that starts at $15 per month for access to T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network with the purchase of a mobile hotspot. You must provide documentation of enrollment in a government assistance program or proof of income eligibility. Additionally, T-Mobile’s Project 10Million aims to get low-income students online with a free 100GB of hotspot internet per year.

Your search for the most affordable internet service starts with your existing ISP. Look for communications about options and then compare with offers from other providers that service your address. You can find what’s available by entering your address on the Federal Communications Commission’s broadband map.

Low-income internet options in California 

• Access from AT&T: AT&T’s low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers both AT&T’s fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. California residents on SSI can also qualify. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. 
• 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. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots.
• Verizon Forward: Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month.
• Astound Internet First: Astound offers two plans through its Internet First program for qualifying low-income households. The 50Mbps plan runs $10 per month and the 150Mbps plan is $20 per month. There are no contracts and equipment is included. New customers can get the first three months free while existing Astound ACP customers can transition to Internet First. 
• California Broadband for All: Broadband for All is a state program aimed at closing the digital divide. To find affordable internet options for your area, enter your ZIP code and check the conditions that apply to your household. 
• Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete: ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check.
• Human-I-T California Connectivity Bundle: Human-I-T’s bundle includes a Chromebook, a mobile 4G LTE hotspot and three months of internet access for $135. You must participate in an approved government assistance program to qualify. 
• 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. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront.
• Los Angeles County Community Broadband Networks: Plans start at $25 per month for low-income residents in South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights. Fixed wireless ISP WeLink Communications is the initial partner for the project, which is launching later in 2025.
• Mediacom Xtream Connect: Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom’s Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. 
• 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). 
• Starry Connect: Fixed wireless ISP Starry specializes in providing broadband to multi-unit buildings. Starry Connect is a special plan that costs $15 per month for symmetrical 30Mbps speeds with no data caps or contracts and a no-cost router included. Connect is available to certain public and affordable housing properties in Starry’s coverage areas. In California, that includes the Los Angeles metro area. Check your address with Starry to see if it’s available in your building. 
• 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, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts.