PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — President Joe BidenMonday’s announcement that the federal Affordable Connection Program will expand and that more than 40% American households will be eligible for it was made. freeOr a reduced price internetIn their homes.
President BidenAnnounced that 20 companies, including AT&T and Comcast, Frontier, Verizon Fios (Charter Communications), Spectrum (Charter Communications), Wow! Other companies (Allo, AltaFiber., Altice., Astound., Breezeline., Comporium., Cox Communications), Wow! high-speed internetFor $30 per month, those who qualify are eligible. The Affordable Connectivity program would pay $30 each month. freeFor those who are eligible. Americans can also choose to go with another provider and receive $30 each month toward their healthcare. high-speed internet bill.
“High-speed internet is not a luxury any longer. It’s a necessity,”President Joe Biden remarked.
To see if your eligibility is met, visit getinternet.gov Federal program recipients such as SNAP or WIC. freeAll eligible are entitled to reduced lunch, medicaid, and other benefits. Individuals with low income are also eligible, such as those who make around $27,000 annually and families of four that earn around $55,500 per year.
Alison Barlow from the St. Petersburg Innovation District is excited to see the expansion and hopes it will assist more families. Her group has been working for the past three decades to connect more St. Pete residents. high-speed internetDevices.
“This is exciting. It started last year with the emergency broadband benefit and to have the federal government looking for something that’s more than just an emergency fix but a longer-term fix is critical.”
The Biden administrationThe $65 billion program is already being used by 11.5 million families. They hope that it will eliminate the need for basic necessities and allow everyone to have both. accessThe internet.
“How many times have you seen a mom or dad drive up to a parking lot outside of McDonald’s to connect to the internet so their kid could do their homework during the pandemic? It’s just not right. It’s not who we are,” BidenDuring Monday’s White House announcement, he elaborated further.
Tampa Bay leaders are working with the community to bring people together. internet accessIt is vital that the move be made.
“COVID really threw us all into the virtual world and forced us to get comfortable,” Barlow added explaining that everything from doctor’s appointments, to education, to church and work obligations have switched to virtual formats.
The latest census bureau data shows 44% of people in St. Pete earning less than $20,000 a year still don’t have internet accessAt home
Rural Wimauma is more concerned as Enterprising Latinas has added antennas to other businesses in order to reduce the digital divide. The antennas provide coverage. internet accessTo approximately 500 people each day.
Santos Morales said they’ve spent three years focusing on three main missions, “connecting people, teaching people how to connect and giving them the tools to connect,”He elaborated.