Fidium Fiber has a lower cost ACP tier. Existing offerings are improving even more!
Those qualified for the ACP can subscribe with little to no cost per month. Use the tool provided below to see if you qualify and then get formally qualified through "Affordable Connectivity" with Fiber to the Home (FTTH).
Those qualified for the ACP can subscribe with little to no cost per month. Use the tool provided below to see if you qualify and then get formally qualified through "Affordable Connectivity" with Fiber to the Home (FTTH).
More Affordable Options for Computing Devices
Do you need a more affordable option for a computing device or have one that still has life and want to donate it or you need to recycle it?
Please go to the give IT get IT site to find out more. https://www.giveitgetit.org/
Individuals seeking services from give IT get IT can connect with an expert staff member by phone to help assess the individuals’ program eligibility, IT needs, and goals driving their need for personal computers, internet, training, and support. Staff provide easily accessible and impartial guidance to clients to help overcome the significant barriers clients experience when faced with the many equipment, internet, support, and training options available to them.
Do you need a more affordable option for a computing device or have one that still has life and want to donate it or you need to recycle it?
Please go to the give IT get IT site to find out more. https://www.giveitgetit.org/
Individuals seeking services from give IT get IT can connect with an expert staff member by phone to help assess the individuals’ program eligibility, IT needs, and goals driving their need for personal computers, internet, training, and support. Staff provide easily accessible and impartial guidance to clients to help overcome the significant barriers clients experience when faced with the many equipment, internet, support, and training options available to them.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Do you Qualify? See details on the ACP program and Maine's efforts at Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA). To get started on the qualification process...:
1. If you are a currently a beneficiary of the Lifeline Program, you are prequalified for the ACP and only need to provide that qualification number to Fidium when you subscribe for service. It also applies to your existing service was well!
2. If you need to apply, go to the ACP site and apply - https://www.getinternet.gov/ or use the Fidium site, which clarifies their process and will take you to the same site for qualification.
Do you Qualify? See details on the ACP program and Maine's efforts at Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA). To get started on the qualification process...:
1. If you are a currently a beneficiary of the Lifeline Program, you are prequalified for the ACP and only need to provide that qualification number to Fidium when you subscribe for service. It also applies to your existing service was well!
2. If you need to apply, go to the ACP site and apply - https://www.getinternet.gov/ or use the Fidium site, which clarifies their process and will take you to the same site for qualification.
The PUB is an ACP Partner and is here to help.
If you have no PUB rep identified on the contacts page, please email or text Butler Smythe for more information.
If you have no PUB rep identified on the contacts page, please email or text Butler Smythe for more information.
Who's Eligible?
If the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
1. Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
2. Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
3. Participates in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
4. Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
5. Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program.
ACP - Based on Your Income
You are eligible for ACP if your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The table reflects the income limit by household size for Maine and the 48 Contiguous States.
Household Size Maine
1 $29,160
2 $39,440
3 $49,720
4 $60,000
5 $70,280
6 $80,560
7 $90,840
8 $101,120
Each additional person, add: $10,280
If the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
1. Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
2. Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
3. Participates in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
4. Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
5. Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program.
ACP - Based on Your Income
You are eligible for ACP if your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The table reflects the income limit by household size for Maine and the 48 Contiguous States.
Household Size Maine
1 $29,160
2 $39,440
3 $49,720
4 $60,000
5 $70,280
6 $80,560
7 $90,840
8 $101,120
Each additional person, add: $10,280
This ACP Dashboard identifies that ~30% of eligible Mainers use the ACP.
But on the Blue Hill Peninsula, that number is only ~10%. (% eligible actually enrolled)
Location - %
Maine is 30%
Blue Hill - 12
Brooklin - 9
Brooksville - 8
Castine - 10
Deer Isle - 11
Orland - 20
Penobscot - 7
Sedgwick - 7 (Sargentville - 3)
Stonington - 18
Surry - 12
But on the Blue Hill Peninsula, that number is only ~10%. (% eligible actually enrolled)
Location - %
Maine is 30%
Blue Hill - 12
Brooklin - 9
Brooksville - 8
Castine - 10
Deer Isle - 11
Orland - 20
Penobscot - 7
Sedgwick - 7 (Sargentville - 3)
Stonington - 18
Surry - 12
What is The Digital Equity Act? - https://www.digitalequityact.org
- Provides digital skills training and education and education to low-income populations
- Improves online accessibility of social services for individuals with disabilities
- Empowers rural communities to measure and address their own broadband needs
DEFINITIONS & REFERENCES
Digital Equity: The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) defines digital equity as “a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy.”
Digital Inclusion: Digital inclusion involves the activities necessary to ensure equitable access to and use of information and communication technologies for participation in social and economic life including for education, social services, health, social and community participation.
Digital inclusion includes:
REFERENCES
1. Wilson, Chris K.; Thomas, Julian; Barraket, Jo (2019-06-30). "Measuring Digital Inequality in Australia: the Australian Digital Inclusion Index". Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy. 7 (2): 102–120. doi:10.18080/jtde.v7n2.187. ISSN 2203-1693. S2CID 201305031.
2. Sieck, Cynthia J.; Sheon, Amy; Ancker, Jessica S.; Castek, Jill; Callahan, Bill; Siefer, Angela (2021). "Digital inclusion as a social determinant of health". NPJ Digital Medicine. 4 (1): 52. doi:10.1038/s41746-021-00413-8. ISSN 2398-6352. PMC 7969595. PMID 33731887.
Digital Inclusion: Digital inclusion involves the activities necessary to ensure equitable access to and use of information and communication technologies for participation in social and economic life including for education, social services, health, social and community participation.
Digital inclusion includes:
- access to affordable broadband Internet services,
- Internet-enabled devices,
- access to digital literacy training,
- quality technical support, and applications
- and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration.
REFERENCES
1. Wilson, Chris K.; Thomas, Julian; Barraket, Jo (2019-06-30). "Measuring Digital Inequality in Australia: the Australian Digital Inclusion Index". Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy. 7 (2): 102–120. doi:10.18080/jtde.v7n2.187. ISSN 2203-1693. S2CID 201305031.
2. Sieck, Cynthia J.; Sheon, Amy; Ancker, Jessica S.; Castek, Jill; Callahan, Bill; Siefer, Angela (2021). "Digital inclusion as a social determinant of health". NPJ Digital Medicine. 4 (1): 52. doi:10.1038/s41746-021-00413-8. ISSN 2398-6352. PMC 7969595. PMID 33731887.
DIGITAL EQUITY & INCLUSION!
www.maineconnectivity.org/regional-broadband-partners
