PWR-net, your local, high speed, wireless internet provider, is participating in the Federal Communications Commission’s program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward qualifying broadband service for eligible households.
Eligible households can apply by following these steps:
- Check if you qualify: ACPBenefit.org.
- Apply for the ACP using the same link above or just click here.
- After receiving the confirmation code, contact PWR-net to complete an enrollment form. The information supplied in PWR-net’s enrollment form must match exactly with the applicant and/or qualifying beneficiary information enrollment in Step 2.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.
Participants in the EBB program will continue to receive their current monthly benefit amount during a 60-day transition period that began December 31, 2021 and ends March 1, 2022. The details of the re-verification process for eligibility under the ACP's new criteria are still being developed by the Federal Government. Current EBB subscribers will receive additional information if you are required to take any steps to retain your benefit after March 1, 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a FCC program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. This benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, and virtual classrooms.
How much Is the benefit?
The ACP will provide a discount of up to $30 per month towards broadband service for eligible households. This discount can be applied to our Cambium* wireless internet service:
Tier 1 (1Mbps/4Mbps) = $54.95/month
Tier 2 (2Mbps/10Mbps) = $69.95/month
Tier 3 (2Mbps/15Mbps) = $99.95/month
*ACP is only eligible for Cambium packages due to the requirement that packages must have the ability to support video.
Who Is eligible for the ACP program?
A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Has an income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines; or
- Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
- Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, or did so in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year, or;
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income program.
To learn if you are eligible click on this link.
Can I receive both ACP and Lifeline Benefits at the same time?
Yes. You can also combine these benefits with other state and local benefits where available. They can be applied to the same qualifying service or separately to a Lifeline service and an ACP service with the same or different providers. For example, an eligible household could have Lifeline-supported mobile phone service and a separate home broadband service that is supported through the ACP.
Can I apply for the ACP if I have a past due balance with PWR-net?
Yes, eligible consumers with a past due balance or a balance in collections are eligible for the benefit.
Can I upgrade my current plan to take advantage of the full $30 per month?
You may be able to do so. Talk to our representatives about the plans available as part of the ACP.
How long will the ACP program last?
The program will end once the program funds are exhausted. From what we have been told, the funds are expected to last through 2022 and enrolled members will have to rectify at the end of 2022.
How will I know the ACP program is ending?
We will provide notice about the last date or billing cycle that the full benefit will apply to your bill and the date or billing cycle that a partial benefit will apply to your bill, in addition to information about the cost of your broadband service after the program ends.