Millions of Californians weigh options after losing an affordable internet subsidy

This story was originally published by CalMatters, nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics. “Being a single father, $30 goes a long way.” Camacho is one of roughly three million Californians deciding whether to keep home internet access or give it up and deepen the digital divide. The Federal Communications Commission, which stopped accepting affordable internet applications in February, said internet service providers are required to inform recipients three times before charging consumers full price, with the final notification this month, the last billing cycle that includes a full subsidy. Sunne McPeak works to end the digital divide as the president and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund, which is informing people who received Affordable Connectivity Program money about low-cost options available from internet service providers. She said there are two important next steps for California to close the digital divide despite the end of the program: The Federal Communications Commission needs to keep sharing data with state agencies that administer federal assistance programs like Medi-Cal; groups attempting to bridge the digital divide use this data to reach households Do as AB 1588 and SB 1179 propose and require internet service providers extend affordable offers to people who were eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program.