5 ms·

23 million Americans might lose internet access today as ACP ends

22 points by leotravis10 2y ago

exabrial 2y ago
ACP was was just a way to comcast and friends to get a share of some taxpayer money unfortunately through their local monopoloes. True change will come about when we address that root issue.
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
ungreased0675 2y ago
Nobody is having their internet shut off today. A more accurate headline might say that some people may not be able to afford unsubsidized internet.
- leotravis10 2y ago
  There's a number of people that will lose internet access in the coming weeks because they can no longer afford the new prices as those people will ultimately have to choose between things like putting food on the table, paying rent, etc. and having internet access.
bruceb 2y ago
Clickbait headline. Xfinity is still offering low cost internet for those using assistance programs. https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-essentials https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-esse... $10 for 50mps. Can also get deals such as for 200mbs with modem for $25 a month (depends where you live). Yes there are places in the world with better deals but saying 23 million people are going to lose it, just isn't accurate.
- leotravis10 2y ago
  There's going to be a lot of people that has to choose between buying things such as food and medications and having internet access. Comcast is only one ISP. There's a whole lot of ISPs (Charter Spectrum a prime example) that's not going to do anyhing to compensate those people.
  - 1123581321 2y ago
    The FCC's survey data suggests most will just go back to paying what they used to pay, sign up for a cheaper plan, or use cell service (which has become much better during the ACP tenure.) Especially in rural areas, for Comcast and Charter, the scariest part of ACP ending is going to be all the T-Mobile home internet signups.
    - leotravis10 2y ago
      Yep, especially where T-Mobile 5G and cough Starlink cough aren't truly viable options.
- racional 2y ago
  Programs such as those offered by Xfinity are only available in select areas. That's why the ACP is necessary: to force the larger carriers to offer subsidized service equally available to all.
hedora 2y ago
The marginal cost of selling internet to existing subscribers is close to $0. That provides a strong incentive for the ISPs to lower prices instead of terminating accounts.
RecycledEle 2y ago
The ACP was always a scam. The people who "benefited" from it were charged bundled fees so that they paid more than someone not getting ACP subsidies.

22 points by leotravis10 2y ago

ACP was was just a way to comcast and friends to get a share of some taxpayer money unfortunately through their local monopoloes. True change will come about when we address that root issue.

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

ungreased0675 2y ago

Nobody is having their internet shut off today. A more accurate headline might say that some people may not be able to afford unsubsidized internet.

leotravis10 2y ago
There's a number of people that will lose internet access in the coming weeks because they can no longer afford the new prices as those people will ultimately have to choose between things like putting food on the table, paying rent, etc. and having internet access.

bruceb 2y ago

Clickbait headline. Xfinity is still offering low cost internet for those using assistance programs. https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-essentials https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-esse... $10 for 50mps. Can also get deals such as for 200mbs with modem for $25 a month (depends where you live). Yes there are places in the world with better deals but saying 23 million people are going to lose it, just isn't accurate.

leotravis10 2y ago
There's going to be a lot of people that has to choose between buying things such as food and medications and having internet access. Comcast is only one ISP. There's a whole lot of ISPs (Charter Spectrum a prime example) that's not going to do anyhing to compensate those people.
- 1123581321 2y ago
  The FCC's survey data suggests most will just go back to paying what they used to pay, sign up for a cheaper plan, or use cell service (which has become much better during the ACP tenure.) Especially in rural areas, for Comcast and Charter, the scariest part of ACP ending is going to be all the T-Mobile home internet signups.
  - leotravis10 2y ago
    Yep, especially where T-Mobile 5G and cough Starlink cough aren't truly viable options.
racional 2y ago
Programs such as those offered by Xfinity are only available in select areas. That's why the ACP is necessary: to force the larger carriers to offer subsidized service equally available to all.

hedora 2y ago

The marginal cost of selling internet to existing subscribers is close to $0. That provides a strong incentive for the ISPs to lower prices instead of terminating accounts.

RecycledEle 2y ago

The ACP was always a scam. The people who "benefited" from it were charged bundled fees so that they paid more than someone not getting ACP subsidies.