LOUDOUN COUNTY, Virginia – (6 September, 2022) – Loudoun Broadband Alliance (LBA), a non-profit formed to promote development of accessible, reliable, and affordable broadband Internet access for the underserved in Loudoun County, Virginia, today issued its report “Making Broadband Affordable for Loudoun County Residents” https://loudounbroadbandalliance.org/2022/09/06/making-broadband-affordable-for-loudoun-county-residents.” 

According to US Census data and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment figures, approximately 3.2% of Loudoun County residents fall below the poverty level, but only 1% of Loudoun households were enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) as of June 30, 2022. ACP is a federal program that provides inexpensive and often free internet to low-income households.

Since ACP eligibility extends to households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level or that meet other criteria, the gap in ACP enrollments versus eligibility is actually larger than indicated by poverty rate data alone.

“LBA believes that everyone should have affordable access to broadband internet service, says John Kiff, Director of LBA’s Affordability Initiatives. “LBA’s study on broadband affordability in Loudoun County indicates that many residents may be unaware of the benefits that are available, or they are unable or hesitant to complete the application. We need to change that.”

LBA’s plans to partner with local government and local stakeholders to improve internet affordability and will focus first upon households that qualify for the ACP but are not enrolled. Next, LBA will shift focus to those that do not qualify for the ACP but still struggle to afford broadband in unserved and underserved areas where broadband tends to be more expensive.