IMPORTANT NOTICE:

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will end by April 30, 2024 INCREASING YOUR BILL UP TO $30 EVERY MONTH

This page will continue to update as we learn more information. Check back regularly.
Page last updated March 5, 2024

If you are currently enrolled in the ACP, you will see a change in your bill beginning May, 2024.

➤ WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

CHECK YOUR BILL

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

As an ACP customer, you have protections in place:

  • You internet company cannot charge a fee if you decide to change or cancel your internet plan with your service provider.

  • Your internet company cannot force you to sign up for a higher cost or lower quality plan. Choose a plan that best serves your needs.

If you internet company violates these protections, file a complaint here.

➤ HOW TO STAY CONNECTED

   OPTION #1: KEEP YOUR PLAN   

If you choose to remain with your current internet plan, please note that your internet bill may increase up to $30 as of May 2024. The specific amount will depend on your individual plan.

OPTION #2: CALL & SWITCH

Reach out to your internet provider to understand the specific impacts on your future bills and explore available options, including switching to a lower cost plan

Here are some example questions you can ask your provider in order to make sure you’re gathering all the information you need

  • If I choose to switch to a low-cost plan, what changes can I expect to see with my internet speeds?

  • Are there other low-cost plans you offer that I’m eligible for?

  • When is the last day for me to make a decision on a plan without incurring any penalty fees?

  • If I decide to stay on my current plan, is there a new binding contract? If not, when does my current contract expire?

  • How will my bill be affected once the ACP ends?

   OPTION #3: CANCEL YOUR PLAN   

You have the option to cancel your plan and explore other internet providers in your area to stay connected

Explore Additional Options

PLAN COST:

  • Free

SPEEDS:

  • Speeds will vary

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

  • OUSD enrolled students have access to free 5G hotspots, families should contact their school’s front office for more information. For a limited time only.

CONTACT:

PLAN COST:

  • $30 per month

SPEEDS:

  • Up to 100 Mbps

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Households who participate in: 

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), 

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for California residents, 

  • National School Lunch Program, or  

  • household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines

CONTACT:

PLAN COST:

  • Xfinity Internet Essentials (Up to 50 Mbps) - $9.95 per month 

  • Xfinity Internet Essentials Plus (Up to 100 Mbps) - $29.95

SPEEDS:

  • Varies based on plan (see above)

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

  • Participate in assistance programs like the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, and others

  • Have not had Xfinity Internet within the last 90 days

  • Have no outstanding debt on any Comcast account that is less than one year old*

  • *Waived for the duration of ACP for new Xfinity Internet customers, regardless of their enrollment in ACP.

CONTACT:

PLAN COST:

  • Standard Fiber $49.99

SPEEDS:

  • Up to 1,000 Mbps

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

  • Any household within the service zone is eligible. No installation fees.

CONTACT:

   ADDITIONAL RESOURCES   

IN-PERSON: 2530 International Blvd., Oakland
BY PHONE: 510-866-2260
HOURS: Monday-Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm

FREE LOCAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE AT TECH EXCHANGE

Tech Exchange can help you find the best option for your internet service and support you through the process of updating, cancelling, or switching to a new plan with your preferred provider.

➤ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • The ACP wind down began due to the projected exhaustion of the 14.2 billion allocated to fund the ACP by April 2024. Unless congress takes action, the program is expected to run out of funds by April 2024.

  • Wind-down is the process of beginning to prepare for the end of the ACP program, wind-down steps include:

    • A freeze on new applications and enrollment after February 7, 2024

    • Enrolled household continuing to receive their ACP benefit until the end of April

    • Internet Service Providers and organizations bringing awareness of the wind-down to families.

  • Households can contact their internet service provider to confirm their enrollment in the program. Additionally, enrolled beneficiaries can typically find the added discount on their monthly bill.

    ➤ See sample bills

  • Your service provider is required to send out at least three different notices providing information about the end of the program, at least one notice on the impact of their bill, and information about how consumers can change or opt-out of service.

  • If congress approves additional funding for the ACP, the FCC will provide further guidance on next steps.

  • You can call or text Tech Exchange, a community based organization dedicated to bridging the digital divide in the Bay Area, at 510-866-2260.

    Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the program manager for the ACP, is available to answer any questions regarding the ACP. Households can call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575 for information about their benefit.

  • If you are having issues with your provider, you may submit a complaint to the Federal Communications Commission.

  • Households that have affirmatively opted in to continue receiving internet service after the end of the ACP will be able to continue to receive internet service from their internet company after the end of the ACP. To have affirmatively opted in, the household must (1) have acknowledged having reviewed the required disclosures about the ACP before signing up with their internet company to receive the ACP benefit, including that the household will be subject to the internet company’s undiscounted rates and general terms and conditions if the ACP ends and (2) demonstrated a willingness and ability to pay for broadband service.

    Per the Commission’s ACP rules, households would need to have consented to signing up to receive the ACP benefit with an internet company after reviewing disclosures from the provider about the impact of the end of the program.

    Households will have demonstrated a willingness and ability to pay for internet service by either 1) previously consented to receive internet service from their internet company after the end of the ACP; 2) paid for service from their internet company before they started receiving discounted internet service; or 3) currently contribute to the cost of their internet service even with the ACP benefit applied will be able to continue to receive internet service from their internet company after the end of the ACP. If you do not wish to receive internet service after the end of the ACP or would like to change your service plan, contact your internet company to discuss your options.

    Households that 1) have not previously consented to receive internet service from their internet company after the end of ACP or 2) have not paid their internet company for service will not receive internet service from their internet company after the end of the ACP. If you do not want to lose your internet service after the end of the ACP, contact your internet company to opt in to continue to receive undiscounted service after the ACP ends.

    After the ACP, households that will continue to receive internet service will be subject to their internet company’s undiscounted rates, along with the internet company’s general terms and conditions.

  • California Lifeline - If you are currently enrolled in the ACP program, you may qualify for the California Lifeline Program. Please visit www.californialifeline.com for more information

    • This program provides up to $19 a monthly discount.

  • Stay up to date with the latest information by visiting: www.fcc.gov/acp & www.affordableconnectivity.gov. You can also find additional information here:

    • ACP Wind-Down Fact Sheet

    • ACP FAQs Sheet