Affordability
Broadband connectivity goes beyond the poles and wires across communities. To ensure access, individuals must be able to access broadband service. Access includes financial affordability, access to equipment, and support for training to use digital services.
More information on MCA’s broader work to ensure digital equity for all is available on our digital equity initiatives page.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a $14.2 billion federal program that helps
Funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the ACP provides eligible households with a discount of up to $30 per month (up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands) and a one-time $100 discount toward a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet.
families and households who are struggling to afford internet service.
ACP4ME Campaign​
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The ACP4ME campaign is Maine Connectivity Authority’s new statewide initiative to increase awareness and enrollment into the ACP. In Maine, 238,717 households are eligible for the ACP, yet only 92,284 (38.7% of those eligible) have enrolled (as of September 19, 2023).
In partnership with Education SuperHighway, a national non-profit working to close the broadband affordability gap, we are building a statewide coalition of local communities and trusted institutions to raise awareness of this critical program through earned and social media. We are asking you to leverage your networks to increase awareness of ACP.
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As part of the broader ACP4ME campaign, MCA organized a statewide Week of Action to increase awareness of and enrollment in the ACP from August 4-12, 2023. There were no less than 18 in-person ACP enrollment events across the state, countless engagements online and on social media, and the ACP was featured on three local news outlets. While it is important to celebrate progress in getting more people aware of and enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, we also recognize that the work isn't done yet!
ACP Enrollment Data by County
County | # of Eligible Households | Total Enrollments pre-April | Enrollments in April | Enrollments in May | Enrollments in June | Enrollments in July | Total Enrollments To-Date | % of Enrolled Households |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Androscoggin | 21,667 | 9,641 | 360 | 438 | 344 | 344 | 11,127 | 51.35% |
Aroostook | 14,933 | 5,887 | 337 | 282 | 253 | 210 | 6,969 | 46.67% |
Cumberland | 43,042 | 12,490 | 606 | 656 | 473 | 298 | 14,523 | 33.74% |
Franklin | 6,812 | 1,353 | 86 | 70 | 91 | 65 | 1,665 | 24.44% |
Hancock | 11,177 | 2,348 | 130 | 125 | 116 | 69 | 2,788 | 24.94% |
Kennebec | 22,891 | 9,252 | 391 | 481 | 347 | 300 | 10,771 | 47.05% |
Knox | 6,606 | 1,927 | 106 | 81 | 93 | 41 | 2,248 | 34.03% |
Lincoln | 6,536 | 1,560 | 97 | 100 | 76 | 64 | 1,897 | 29.02% |
Oxford | 11,315 | 4,372 | 217 | 241 | 200 | 161 | 5,191 | 45.88% |
Penobscot | 30,481 | 10,432 | 489 | 496 | 469 | 366 | 12,252 | 40.20% |
Piscataquis | 4,815 | 992 | 50 | 49 | 71 | 48 | 1,210 | 25.13% |
Sagadahoc | 4,789 | 970 | 54 | 47 | 32 | 20 | 1,123 | 23.45% |
Somerset | 9,594 | 3,497 | 153 | 162 | 155 | 84 | 4,051 | 42.22% |
Waldo | 5,999 | 1,886 | 93 | 107 | 105 | 53 | 2,244 | 37.41% |
Washington | 8,687 | 2,226 | 134 | 140 | 140 | 92 | 2,732 | 31.45% |
York | 29,373 | 7,774 | 421 | 490 | 422 | 250 | 9,357 | 31.86% |
TOTAL | 238,717 | 76,607 | 3,724 | 3,965 | 3,387 | 2,465 | 90,148 | 37.76% |
*Please note that County-level data is not updated as often as state-level data by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and therefore there might be different numbers represented here than our total reporting for the state of Maine.
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In preparation for Maine's ACP Week of Action, MCA hosted a series of workshops with MCA staff and other experts from around the country. Please feel free to continue using these workshops to support enrollments in the ACP. These workshops are not intended for individuals interested in enrolling in the ACP. MCA would be happy to connect individuals with our partners across Maine that are conducting direct ACP enrollment.
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Common ACP enrollment challenges and how to navigate them
with Tsion Tesfaye, Senior Research and Policy Manager with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Bring your ACP questions Q&A
with Tsion Tesfaye, Senior Research and Policy Manager with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Resources for spreading awareness and enrolling Mainers in ACP
with Ellen Goldich, Senior Program Director with EducationSuperHighway
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ACP Workshop Archive
In-Person ACP Enrollment and Awareness Events
Households are eligible if the annual income is less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, if anyone already receives Lifeline, or if you participate in one of these programs:
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
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Medicaid
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Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
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Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) (including Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers), Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/202/811, Public Housing, and Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians)
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Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
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Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools
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Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
ACP Eligibility Requirements
ACP Partners in Maine​
Apart from the resources above, we also have a network of Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners equipped to help people enroll in the ACP, and four organizations in Maine which received Affordable Connectivity Outreach Program grants through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners are tagged in blue pins, Affordable Connectivity Outreach Program awardees are tagged in yellow stars (three out of the four awardees are also Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners).
Affordable Connectivity Outreach Program awardees include the Aroostook County Action Corporation, Four Directions Development Corporation, the National Digital Equity Center, and the Sunrise County Economic Council. Click here to open an interactive version of the map, including contact information for each partner.
