ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS. 350,000 OKLAHOMANS WILL SOON RECEIVE LETTERS IN THE MAIL, IF THEY HAVEN’T ALREADY. ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM ENDING. SO SOME INTERNET BILLS THAT WERE CHEAPER WILL NOW INCREASE. I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE ONE OF THE FEW GOOD THINGS ABOUT COVID IS IT SHED A LIGHT ON JUST HOW IMPORTANT INTERNET ACCESS IS FOR EVERYBODY. $14.2 BILLION WAS APPROVED DURING THE PANDEMIC FOR THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM, WHERE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS HAD ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE INTERNET. IT WAS REALLY THE FIRST TIME WE’VE HAD A NATIONAL PROGRAM THAT SAID, WE’LL ACTUALLY HELP LOW INCOME PEOPLE PAY FOR AN INTERNET SUBSCRIPTION. THE PROGRAM IS COMING TO A HALT AT THE END OF MAY, SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR OKLAHOMANS? IF PEOPLE CAN’T AFFORD HIGH SPEED INTERNET, THEN THEY WON’T BE ABLE TO USE IT. AARP OR AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS SAYS THEY ADVOCATE FOR THOSE 50 AND OLDER AND RELIABLE. INTERNET IS A NECESSITY. WE KNOW HOW HIGH SPEED INTERNET REALLY AS STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES, BUT ALSO HELPS SENIORS AND PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO CONNECT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, FIGHT ISOLATIONISM, HELP PEOPLE CONNECT TO JOB OPPORTUNITIES. AARP AND THE STATE’S BROADBAND EXPANSION COUNCIL ARE WORKING TO RAISE AWARENESS ON THE ISSUE AND FIND WAYS FOR OUR FAMILIES TO KEEP AFFORDABLE INTERNET. WHAT WE’RE AS THE AS THE COUNCIL AND OFFICE ARE TRYING TO DO IS, AGAIN, JUST MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THE OTHER OPTIONS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE. THERE IS A LIFELINE PROGRAM THAT CAN COVER SOME OF THOSE COSTS, BUT IT’S NOT GOING TO BE NEARLY THE THE AMOUNT THAT THE ACP DID. BEING ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT HIGH SPEED INTERNET IS AFFORDABLE IS A TOP PRIORITY, AND WE MUST MAKE SURE
Thousands of Oklahomans at risk of losing affordable internet due to program's upcoming end
The program is coming to a halt at the end of May, but what does that mean for Oklahomans?
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Updated: 4:30 PM CDT May 9, 2024
Thousands of Oklahomans are at risk of losing affordable internet as a federal program nears its end.Over 350,000 Oklahoma households will soon receive letters in the mail – if they haven't already – about the Affordable Connectivity Program ending. With it ending, affordable internet bills will now increase.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here."I always tell people one of the good things about COVID is it sheds a light on how important internet accessibility is for everybody," Brian Whitacre, the chair of the Broadband Expansion Council, said.During the COVID-19 pandemic, $14.2 billion was approved for the Affordable Connectivity Program which provided millions of Americans with access to affordable internet."It was the first time we've had a national program that said we'll help low-income people pay internet subscriptions," Whitacre said.The program is coming to a halt at the end of May, but what does that mean for Oklahomans?"If people can't afford high-speed internet, they won't be able to use it," Sean Voskuhl, the state director for AARP Oklahoma, said. The AARP, which advocates for those 50 and older, said reliable internet is a necessity.>> Download the KOCO 5 App"We know how high-speed internet strengthens communities but really seniors and people of all ages to connect in the communities, fight isolationism. People connect to job opportunities," Voskuhl said.AARP and Oklahoma's Broadband Expansion Council are working to raise awareness on the issue and find ways for families to keep affordable internet."What we're as a council and office are trying to do is make people aware of the other options they have," Whitacre said. "There is a lifeline program that can help cover some of those costs, but it won't be nearly the amount the ACP did." Top Headlines Storms bring quick hailfall to Norman area Search for missing man continues after EF4 tornado devastates Barnsdall Car flips and catches fire during chase in northwest OKC; 2 suspects arrested Darci Lynne stalking case highlights crime's prevalence, resources available WATCH: Alligator swipes fish from teen's fishing line
OKLAHOMA CITY — Thousands of Oklahomans are at risk of losing affordable internet as a federal program nears its end.
Over 350,000 Oklahoma households will soon receive letters in the mail – if they haven't already – about the Affordable Connectivity Program ending. With it ending, affordable internet bills will now increase.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
"I always tell people one of the good things about COVID is it sheds a light on how important internet accessibility is for everybody," Brian Whitacre, the chair of the Broadband Expansion Council, said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, $14.2 billion was approved for the Affordable Connectivity Program which provided millions of Americans with access to affordable internet.
"It was the first time we've had a national program that said we'll help low-income people pay internet subscriptions," Whitacre said.
The program is coming to a halt at the end of May, but what does that mean for Oklahomans?
"If people can't afford high-speed internet, they won't be able to use it," Sean Voskuhl, the state director for AARP Oklahoma, said.
The AARP, which advocates for those 50 and older, said reliable internet is a necessity.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App
"We know how high-speed internet strengthens communities but really seniors and people of all ages to connect in the communities, fight isolationism. People connect to job opportunities," Voskuhl said.
AARP and Oklahoma's Broadband Expansion Council are working to raise awareness on the issue and find ways for families to keep affordable internet.
"What we're as a council and office are trying to do is make people aware of the other options they have," Whitacre said. "There is a lifeline program that can help cover some of those costs, but it won't be nearly the amount the ACP did."
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