Charter Communications today launched Spectrum Internet 100 service, which will be free to households that qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The service will be available across “virtually all” of its service area, which covers 41 states, the company said.
The ACP provides as much as $30 per month to qualifying households and $75 per month to those on Tribal Lands. That would make Spectrum Internet 100 free to those who qualify since it is priced at $29.99 per month. The service has no modem fees, data caps or contracts. Customers can cancel anytime without penalty.
The service provides 100 Mbps download speeds, a modem and in-home Wi-Fi. It is self-installed.
A household is eligible for ACP if its income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if a member of the household participates in or is eligible for assistance programs, including:
- SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC or Lifeline.
- Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
- The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision.
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant during the year in which it is applying.
Charter says that all Spectrum Internet and legacy plans are eligible for ACP credits.
“The Affordable Connectivity Program is an important step in driving broadband adoption in America,” Charter Executive Vice President Catherine Bohigian said in a Charter Spectrum Internet 100 press release.
There was a lot of activity in the ACP in recent weeks, all but the earliest in March.
- Cox Communications said earlier this month that it would participate in ACP and double the speed of ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete—from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps—beginning today.
- Mediacom Communications raised the speed of its Connect2Compete Plus service that is targeted toward low-income customers. The speed went from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
- Comcast said that any tier of its Xfinity Internet service is available through the ACP.
- In February, AT&T said that it would offer a symmetrical 100 Mbps service, “Access from AT&T,” that would essentially be free for ACP recipients.
