PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach is a leader in driving efforts toward closing the digital divide. One of the City's critical strategies in bridging the digital divide is connecting residents with vital resources and programs, like the U.S. Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which since 2021 has appropriated $14.2 billion to provide qualifying low-income households across the nation with a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service, among other discounts. Program funding is expected to end this spring and, without supplemental funding from the federal government, nearly 50,000 Long Beach households will soon lose their discount. To inform and prepare impacted residents of the potential changes to their internet plans, the City’s Technology and Innovation Department (TID) is encouraging enrolled households to take the steps outlined below.

"The City of Long Beach supports legislation and funding that increases households' and businesses' access to low-cost or free high-speed and reliable internet," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "With federal funding coming to a close, we are taking proactive measures to ensure residents affected by this change are prepared.”

On Feb. 20, the Long Beach City Council passed with a 9 to 0 vote to adopt a resolution, brought forward by Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga, in support of the bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Extension Act, solidifying the City’s commitment to bridging the digital divide in Long Beach and in communities across the nation. This legislation, if passed, will provide $7 billion to continue the ACP and ensure millions of low-income U.S. households, including Long Beach, stay connected to reliable high-speed internet before funding ends this spring. 

"Additional funding from the federal government will continue the ACP and ensure that low-cost internet access remains accessible to our enrolled residents and businesses,” said Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga. “This resolution reiterates our efforts to address the internet gap by encouraging Congress to support closure of the digital divide.” 

In Long Beach, 47,167 households of the 78,594 total eligible households currently receive internet access via the ACP, which equates to a 60% enrollment. Without the federal funding extension, these households will lose their discount and potentially be unable to afford access to the internet by the end of April 2024. The City is committed to connecting residents with resources and information to help maintain internet access, regardless of future outcomes. 

The Office of Digital Equity and Inclusion is encouraging enrolled households to check in with their Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and engaging with trusted community-based organizations to help promote this vital information. Information will also be shared on the City’s social media pages, in City newsletters, and is available by calling the Digital Inclusion Resource Hotline at 562.570.7000. The Digital Inclusion Resource Hotline is currently using a callback model and residents can expect a call back from the Office of Digital Equity and Inclusion within two business days.

Enrolled Long Beach residents can stay informed and prepare for this change in ACP availability by taking the steps below:

• Frequently check your emails and mail from your internet service provider for more information and further updates regarding the ACP benefit. Additional information will also be available at affordableconnectivity.gov and fcc.gov/acp.
• Contact your internet service provider for questions about how the end of the ACP will affect your monthly bill, then to choose to opt in or opt out of your internet plan.
• Visit fcc.gov/acp to review a list of frequently asked questions, available in English and Spanish, and other guidance about the ACP wind-down process, including what households need to know about retaining internet service after the end of the ACP.
• Contact the Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC) ACP Support Center at 877-384-2575 for any other questions about the ACP wind-down and information about their benefits.

"We strongly encourage everyone enrolled in the ACP to contact their Internet Service Provider to review their plan in order to avoid bill shock if and when the funds run out," said Lea Eriksen, Director of Technology and Innovation. "The City remains committed to increasing access to critical affordable and reliable internet connectivity, which allows Long Beach residents full participation in society and the modern economy."

Residents who may be impacted can visit any open Long Beach Public Library location to access public computer labs and/or connect to WiFi for free. WiFi is also available at select Long Beach parks. 

More information about the City's Digital Inclusion Initiative and Roadmap is available at longbeach.gov/ti/digital-inclusion.

About the City of Long Beach 
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. To learn more about Technology and Innovation, visit: longbeach.gov/ti.