Newark Is Struggling To Afford Internet – But This Program Is Helping

NEWARK, NJ — Having reliable internet access isn’t a luxury these days – it’s a necessity. And a federal program launched under the administration of President Joe Biden is helping to make broadband more affordable in New Jersey’s largest city, its supporters say.

More than 31,000 households in Newark are currently participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which gives them a $30 per month discount on high-speed, broadband internet service. Households are eligible for the program based on their household income, or if they qualify for federal programs such as Medicaid or food stamps.

It works out to a savings of nearly $1 million a month for Newark residents, according to a joint statement from Invest Newark, the city's economic development corporation, and the nonprofit Newark Alliance.

The need is urgent, advocates say: Newark has a digital divide caused by lack of access and adoption of broadband.

According to 2021 U.S. Census numbers, nearly one in five Newark households don’t have an internet subscription at home. In addition, about 10 percent of Newark families lack a computer.

• See Related: Internet Access Lags In Newark – But Infrastructure Is There, Study Says

“There is a huge information gap in Newark – many people here don’t have high-speed internet access at home because of the cost,” said Andrea McLean, the ACP outreach ambassador for Invest Newark.

About half of Newark’s 110,000 households are eligible for the ACP initiative, the groups said. Nearly 30 percent of the city has enrolled, with 10,000 households added this year alone.

To check if you qualify or see which internet providers offer the benefit near you, visit www.getinternet.gov.

“When I tell people living in homeless shelters and those receiving NJ SNAP benefits that they qualify for free internet service, they really get excited … it’s a huge opportunity to get connected,” McLean said.

“A big part of our success in so many aspects of life in Newark is our commitment to connecting with each other – and the internet is such an important way to do that,” Mayor Ras Baraka agreed.

Earlier this year, Invest Newark received a grant of $400,000 from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promote participation in the ACP. One of just four recipients in the state, Invest Newark’s initial goal was to increase adoption from 36 percent of eligible households to over 50 percent.

“Our new goal is to have 70 percent of the eligible households sign up for the program by June 2024, and we are likely to surpass that,” McLean enthused.

Other supporters of the ACP include U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a Newark resident.

“A quality internet connection is not a luxury – it’s a necessity that unlocks opportunities in jobs, schooling, health care and more,” Booker said.

Launched two years ago under the landmark 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the program is the largest broadband affordability effort in U.S. history, according to the FCC.

Every Congress member from New Jersey voted in favor of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package.

• See Related: NJ House Members All Vote Yes On $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill
• See Related: Menendez, Booker Of NJ Vote For Massive US Infrastructure Bill

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