Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Wind-Down

Viya, the leading telecommunications provider serving the USVI, has always focused on providing our valued customers the best service at affordable prices. One of the most impactful ways we have helped to ensure cost is not a factor for connectivity has been by championing the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit offered by the FCC.

Unfortunately, beginning April/May 2024, this federal benefit offering may no longer receive federal funding from Congress and is planned to be discontinued. Starting February 8, 2024, there will be no more enrollments into the ACP.

Our Commitment: While we await further information from Congress, and as a part of our commitment to ensure our valued customers utilizing this program remain connected, Viya will be deploying a transition plan for these customers to a solution that can help address their affordable connectivity needs.
Please see below our transition plan for affected customers:

Transition Plan

What’s Happening:

Historically, the Affordable Connectivity Program has helped to ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more. However, without additional funding from Congress, the allotted $14.2 billion to fund the ACP is projected to run out in April 2024 (this date is an estimate and may change). As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down the ACP, which means:

  • ACP applications and enrollments will not be processed after February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.
    • Starting February 8, 2024, no new enrollments will be accepted.
  • Households who have applied, been approved, and are receiving the monthly internet discount before February 8, 2024 will continue to receive their ACP benefit until ACP funds run out, as long as the household remains enrolled in the program.
  • After the ACP funds run out (projected in April 2024), households participating in the ACP will no longer receive the ACP discounts.

Key Dates:

  • Late January 2024: Households that are currently receiving a monthly ACP benefit will start to receive notices from their internet providers with information about the end of the ACP benefit. This information will include timing of the end of the program and the impact of the loss of the benefit on the household’s bill and service.
  • February 7, 2024: This is the last day that the ACP will accept new applications and enrollments. Eligible households must be approved and enrolled with an internet company by 11:59 PM ET on February 7th to receive the ACP benefit. Starting February 8, 2024, there will be no more enrollments into the ACP.
  • April 2024: The FCC anticipates existing ACP funding to run out in April 2024 if Congress does not provide additional funding. Consumers that are enrolled in the ACP will continue to receive their benefit on their internet service through April 2024. This date is an estimate and may change.

Frequent Ask Questions

  • Because of the wind down of the program, the ACP will need to stop new enrollments. Starting February 8, 2024, no new enrollments will be accepted.
  • Eligible households that are not already enrolled and who wish to receive the ACP benefit should complete an application at GetInternet.gov as soon as possible to allow time for the processing of your application. Once your application is qualified, you must sign up with an internet company by February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET to start receiving your benefit.
  • If you qualified for the ACP but you did not sign up with an internet company before February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET, then you can no longer enroll in the ACP.
  • Households that are enrolled in ACP will continue to receive monthly discounted internet service through the end of the ACP.
  • During the ACP wind-down period, ACP households will receive notices from their internet company about the impact of the end of the benefit on how the household’s bill and service.
  • ACP households may also switch their internet plans without penalty.
  • Consistently check their emails for more information and for further updates regarding the ACP benefit. Also visit http://www.AffordableConnectivity.gov and www.fcc.gov/acp.
  • Contact their internet company for questions about how the end of the ACP will affect their monthly bill and to ask about available options.
  • Visit www.fcc.gov/acp to access answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and other guidance about the ACP wind-down process, including what households need to know about retaining internet service after the end of the ACP.
  • Contact USAC directly for any other questions about the ACP wind-down. Households can call the ACP Support Center at 877-384-2575 for information about their benefit.