“The high cost of internet service is, by far, the main reason Massachusetts residents can’t get online. It is not surprising that many states—not just Massachusetts—are considering ways to address the issue of internet affordability”
Everyone deserves to be connected!
Internet Access is a Basic Necessity
Access to the Internet is now a necessity for everyday activities and essential for education, employment, leisure, business, public services and healthcare. For example, over 90% of job postings require digital skills.
All Massachusetts residents deserve reliable high-speed internet access regardless of income, identity, or zip code.
High cost is the #1 barrier to internet connectivity in MA
Though Massachusetts has one of the highest levels of broadband availability in the country (99% of locations have the ability to connect to the internet via cable, fiber or DSL), high internet subscription costs keep around 10% of Massachusetts from having internet at home. Too many people are making difficult trade offs to stay online - cutting back on spending on food and medical care.
The cheapest plans available* are usually well above what most research shows most low-income households can pay,* which is between $0 and $25
*Massachusetts State Digital Equity Plan for Public Comment, Massachusetts Broadband Institute, 2023
**Horrigan, John. AFFORDABILITY AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, 2021
Costs should not be the reason why Massachusetts residents do not have access to a necessity.
Shutdown of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
When Congressional funding ended for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), low-income consumers lost access to internet discounts. ACP was a national benefit program that provided a discount on monthly internet bills and a one-time discount for a certain devices for qualifying households. Nearly 370,000 MA households (14%) were enrolled in ACP when it ended. In some areas of the state, 1 in 4 households participated in ACP. Studies show that 62% of individuals without fixed wireless internet broadband services would need significant cost assistance to be able to afford a high-speed subscription for their home.
