Access program

Access by AT&T is a program specific to AT&T.  The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is the government program that was started during the pandemic and will lose funding in April unless steps are taken by Congress.  More info HERE

https://www.att.com/internet/access/

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a federal government program that provides a benefit on home internet service for eligible households, decreasing your bill by up to $30/mo. or up to $75/mo. off your bill if you live on qualifying Tribal Lands.

Access from AT&T  provides low-cost internet service for eligible households—plans up to $30/mo. with speeds up to 100Mbps available. You’ll enjoy no annual contract, free installation, and in-home Wi-Fi® included. With the federal ACP benefit plus Access from AT&T you’re eligible to receive internet speeds up to 100Mbps for free.

ACP will cease in April if funding is NOT extended.  Access from ATT was around BEFORE ACP.  Hopefully it will continue for those that qualify.

The Access program is different than the Affordability program. The access program is going away. Will ATT have a senior or low-cost internet to take its place? 

ACCESS requires a member of the household to be on SNAP, in essence have low income level with food assistance program to qualify.

ACCESS was originally a scheduled (4) year program to run from April 2016 to April 2020 as one of the government conditions in approving ATT purchase of DirectTV in summer 2015.

ATT voluntarily kept the program in early 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID pandemic.  ATT choice to continue the program or not as not a government subsidies... a true loss program as ATT offers discount internet, initially internet 10 for $10 per month (2016-2019).

One more time…..ACP MIGHT BE GOING AWAY….NOT Access.  🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

ACCESS BY AT&T was initially the program that was to be for (4) years only from April 2016 to April 2020 and was one of the government conditions forced upon ATT in accepting government approval for ATT to purchase DirecTv summer 2015. ATT ACCESS accounts required a SNAP participation.

ACP was started in 2020 during the pandemic and was 100% funded by the federal government.  Unless funding is extended, it ACP, will go away.

https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/

Will they have a low cost option to replace it?

No one knows what internet providers will do if ACP is discontinued.  

AT&T has never had a senior discount for internet.  Access was for those on SNAP(food stamps).

To clarify the ACP:

Without additional funding from Congress, the allotted $14.2b allotted to fund the ACP is projected to run out in April 2024 (estimated date). As a result, the FCC has begun to take steps to wind down the ACP. What that means is that:

1. ACP applications and enrollments will not be accepted after Feb. 7th 2024 at 11:59pm ET.
2. Households who have applied, been approved, and are receiving benefits will continue to do so until the funds run out as long as the household remains enrolled in the program.
3. After the ACP funds run out (around April 2024), participating households will no longer receive the discounts.

Will the Access program which is not part of the ACP continue?

ATT has not made an announcement one way or the other…

ACCESS if ATT keeps going will be starting 9th year in April 2024 or more than twice as long as was agreed to.

AFTER reviewing the current ATT ACCESS plans…. Of which there are (3) based upon best speed availability for your address. Cannot choose a plan…

For those with speed greater than 10 up to 100 (12, 18, 24, 25, 45, 50, 75, 100) cost is $30 per month.

For those with best speed of 5, 6 or 10 the cost is $10 per month.

For those with best speed of 3 or less (3, 1.5, .76) cost is $5 per month.

I personally expect ATT will keep the program at these rates which means most ACCESS consumers will be paying $1 per day for internet and ATT keeps receiving the $30 per month for these accounts, just now paid by the account holder instead of the taxpayer money being funneled thru the government to pay for these services.

Consider your current speed tier, which is the best ATT can provide is what you will be charged if keep the service… no equipment fee, but have a data cap and possibly late fee if bill not paid by due date. 

Thank you. I wasn't aware they had 3 plans. I have the one for $10 month. I was worried they were going to discontinue it along with the ACP.