The Broadband Policy and Development Office proudly joins the 7th Annual Digital Inclusion Week, from Oct. 2 to 6, 2023, a national week of action to raise awareness and amplify the importance of digital equity. This year’s theme, “Building Connected Communities,” aligns perfectly with our mission to bring digital access and skills to everyone in the CNMI.
Taking meaningful steps to “Build Connected Communities,” the BPD Office hosts a pivotal Affordable Connectivity Program outreach and sign-up event during Digital Inclusion Week, inviting residents to transform their digital lives through affordable access.
At the heart of Digital Inclusion Week is an active enrollment campaign for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program designed to assist families and households facing financial constraints in obtaining essential internet services required for work, education, healthcare, and other critical needs.
The Affordable Connectivity Program offers multiple avenues for qualification, making it accessible to a wide range of households:
Household Income: Eligibility is determined based on your household income.
Government Assistance Programs: Participation in certain government assistance programs, such as NAP, Medicaid, WIC, and others, can qualify your household for the ACP. Additionally, all students enrolled in the Public School System, receiving free meals are eligible. Any college student receiving federal pell grants are eligible as well.
Lifeline Benefit: If you or anyone in your household already receives a Lifeline benefit, your household is eligible for the ACP.
What makes the program even more inclusive is that any member of your household can make the entire household eligible. For instance, if your child or dependent participates in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or is enrolled in a USDA Community Eligibility Provision school, your household automatically qualifies for the ACP benefit.
Highlighting the significance of this event, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang kicked off the festivities with a proclamation signing ceremony last Sept. 18. Their commitment to digital inclusion underscores the importance of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to connect to the digital world, regardless of their economic circumstances.
Digital inclusion encompasses three critical areas: affordable internet, access to suitable devices, and digital skills training-basic essentials still out of reach for millions of Americans. “This week serves as an opportunity to celebrate the progress made, be visible and raise awareness, and to extend our reach within the community,” said special assistant Glen Hunter.
“We look forward to highlighting the incredible digital inclusion work happening in the CNMI during this national week of recognition,” adds Hunter. “Our collective efforts help bridge the digital divide, and this week is our opportunity to ensure these initiatives are recognized and supported on a broader scale.”
The Broadband Policy and Development Office extends an invitation to advocates, policymakers, community leaders, educators, researchers, and all committed to digital equity, to help make this Digital Inclusion Week a seminal moment in our ongoing efforts to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the digital resources they need to fully participate in society.
For more information about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), please visit www.getinternet.gov or visit the CNMI Broadband Policy and Development Office website at www.bpd.cnmi.gov. If families need any assistance registering for the ACP, please don’t hesitate to contact our office directly at (670)287-2555/4.
National Digital Inclusion Alliance advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with more than 1,400 digital inclusion practitioners, NDIA advocates for equitable broadband access, tech devices, digital skills training, and tech support. For more information, visit digitalinclusion.org.