The US government announced on Monday an agreement with 20 internet providers to reduce subscription costs and guarantee low-income households access to broadband.
“The commitment of the 20 main internet service providers, which provide coverage to 80% of the US population in urban, suburban and rural areas, to increase their speeds or reduce their prices,” the White House said in a statement.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will participate in a ceremony in Washington to formalize the agreement.
The commitment is part of the Biden administration’s sweeping $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan.
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Households eligible for the program are those whose annual income is below twice the federal poverty level, or if they already qualify for other federal poverty relief programs, such as Medicaid or nutrition assistance.
In 2022, the federal poverty level for a family of four is $27,750 annually.
The government estimates that more than 48 million low-income households will qualify for the program, with more than 11.5 million households already enrolled, according to the statement.
Additionally, eligible households will be able to receive a discount of up to $30 per month on any internet service plan offered by a provider participating in the agreement.
Households on Native American tribal lands are eligible for discounts of up to $75 per month.
Several major US telecommunications companies are participating in the deal, including Comcast, AT&T, Spectrum, Verizon, and Cox Communications.
By: AFP
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