The Internet has significant benefits to connecting the world. During this pandemic situation, people have been opting for more online services. They have been doing online classes, virtual offices, business, communication, and more just staying in their houses. Unfortunately, millions of people find it difficult to afford reliable high-speed internet due to the financial crisis created by the pandemic. To alleviate their struggle, the Federal government in the USA has taken several initiatives intending to aid low-income people who have been suffering from the pandemic.
One of those initiatives was called the Emergency Broadband Benefits program. The government came up with a fund of around 3.2 billion dollars especially for the low-income households to provide discounts on their monthly internet services. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had been executing this program until December 2021 as it was designed as a temporary program. Then the FCC has another plan naming the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to replace the EBB program. Eligible households will receive high-speed internet with a monthly discount starting from March 2022. So that they can stay connected with their jobs, studies, business, and many other services.
Sparklight is a proud participator in the FCC’s ACP benefits to provide fast and reliable connectivity to eligible households who have been suffering financial crises. This brand commits to narrow the digital divide, and with the ACP, Sparklight wants to keep its customers and communities connected especially during this challenging time. Here we will discuss how to get the Sparklight Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
What is The Sparklight Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a permanent service to help households who are struggling to pay for high-speed internet service. With the federal government announcing the ACP, Sparklight started its participation with Government to help eligible households to continue their livelihoods virtually. Anyone can apply for this benefit but need to qualify according to some Terms and conditions.
With the ACP, the eligible households will receive a discount of up to $30 per month using Sparklight internet service and $75 per month on Tribal lands in Oklahoma. This program is available for both the new and existing Sparklight users. Keep in mind that, the ACP is non-transferable and limited to one discount per household. Alongside the EBB program and ACP, Sparklight has already the Covid-19 low-cost internet plan to aid low-income families during the pandemic challenges. The following internet plans are:
- To provide free public hotspots across 21 states in the USA.
- An initiative is named “K-12 Bridge to broadband” this program has been designed by partnering with ACA connects and Education super Highway
What is Sparklight?
Sparklight is one of the renowned broadband internet providers which is part of Cable One Family of brands and serves around 900,000 customers in 21 States. They serve both residential and business customers with a wide array of connectivity and entertainment. Sparklight is reliable for high-speed internet, Wi-Fi solutions, cable television, phone services, and more. Sparklight provides cost-effective products for businesses ranging in size from small to mid-market. For many years, they have been providing quality service to their customers according to their demands.
Eligibility to Get Sparklight Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The FCC have been regulating the ACP and selecting beneficiaries with some eligibility terms. A household can receive the broadband benefit with a discount after meeting those specific criteria. If your household meets any of the criteria from FCC, then your household will be eligible for the ACP. The eligibility requirements are:
- SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistant program)
- Medicaid
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Federal public housing assistance
- Veterans survivor and Pensions benefit program
- Some Tribal programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance, Tribally administered temporary assistance, Head Start, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR)
- income is below 135% of the federal poverty guideline
- Student of your household is approved for a free and reduced-price school lunch/breakfast program through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision
- If anyone experienced substantial loss or got terminated since February 29 of 2020. There is a range of yearly income, for a single filer, the total yearly income should be below 99,000 dollars, and for joint filers, the yearly income should be below 198,000 dollars.
- Anyone receives Federal Pell Grant in the current years.
How to Get Sparklight Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
If you think you meet any of the eligibility criteria then apply for the Sparklight ACP. Here are some steps that you should follow to enroll in the Sparklight Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
STEP 1 : Complete the online form
Fill out the form with your detailed contact information. (you have to provide all the required pieces of information including Personal Information or ID and Supporting documentation to prove the eligibility)
STEP 2 : Get approval
To see if you are eligible for Sparklight EBB or not visit “affordableconnectivity.gov/do-i-qualify/”, Since it’s an automatic process, it usually takes around 20 minutes to verify the documents and information.
Don’t go to step 3 until you have received ACP application ID.
STEP 3 : For Existing Internet Customers:
Existing Sparklight Internet customers can access the portal customer.sparklight.com/acp and enroll in the Sparklight Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefits.
For New Internet Customers
- Visit sparklight.com/internet to check the ACP program eligible plans, you will decide which plan is right for you. If you get an appropriate plan then begin your online order.
- You will find the ACP eligibility option in the payment section of the offer. There is be a box (yes, I am eligible) and fill in the requested information including application ID. There you will see the ACP disclosure information, terms, and conditions.
- Once you complete your order, FCC will enroll you in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Available Internet Plans for Sparklight Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
There are some internet plans available and approved by the FCC for the ACP. These plans offer up to $30 discount monthly and up to $75 discount monthly in the Tribal Lands Area.
These plans are Available in most Sparklight Service Areas.
| Plan Name | Price | Download Speed | Data plan |
| Life 15 Plus | $30 | 15 *1 | 100 GB |
| Starter 100 Plus | $55 | 100*10 | 350GB |
| Streamer & Gamer 200 Plus | $65 | 200*20 | 700GB |
| Turbo 300 Plans | $80 | 300*30 | 1200GB |
| Giga One Plus | $125 | 940*50 | 1500GB |
Available in Fargo, ND and Odessa, TX serviceable area only
| Plan Name | Price | Download Speed | Data plan |
| Starter 100 Plus | $55 | 100*10 | Unlimited |
| Streamer & Gamer 200 Plus | $65 | 200*20 | Unlimited |
| Turbo 300 Plans | $80 | 300*30 | Unlimited |
| Giga One Plus | $99 | 940*50 | Unlimited |
Available in Specific Meridian & Garden City, ID Serviceable areas only
| Freedom Connect 600 | $50 | 300*20 | Unlimited |
Available in Meridian, Garden City, Boise, W. Valley, Idaho, Fargo, ND; Norfolk, NE; Texarkana, TX; and the cities of Lewiston, Vincennes, Dexter, Chanute, Taylorville, and Batesville
| Freedom Connect 600 | $60 | 600*30 | Unlimited |
| Freedom Connect Gig | $75 | 940*50 | Unlimited |
Available in most Biloxi, Gulfport, Pascagoula, MS serviceable areas only
| Gig Connect ultra | $80 | 940*50 | Unlimited |
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How long can I get the Sparklight EBB service?
According to the FCC, this program is already closed as it was planned to last for around six months as a temporary program. The FCC stated in its announcement that, the EBB was closed immediately after the Department of Health Service declared that Covid-19 was over. But Sparklight users need not worry, as the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) should continue the EBB benefits starting from March 2022.
What kind of discount will I receive?
Every eligible household will receive a discount of up to $50 monthly. The households who live in Tribal areas can get up to a $75 discount on their broadband usage. These broadband plans are available through Sparklight, including Wi-Fi ONE with modem rental.
If I am already enrolled in Lifeline and EBB Program, do I still need to qualify for the ACP?
The answer is No. Fortunately being a Lifeline and EBB member, you can skip the 2nd step (qualifying process) and go to step 3 to Log into your customer portal https://customer.sparklight.com/SecureLogin/Login.aspx?landingpage=enrollment to enroll for Sparklight Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Final Words
In these circumstances, huge numbers of Americans have lost their jobs, businesses, and financial activities just because of the financial unrest. Sparklight has established a specialized online resource to provide ACP with customer satisfaction. Sparklight always welcomes its new customers committing to providing the best internet experience. This time It’s not exceptional with ACP customers. Both the current EBB and the new ACP customers will get similar internet speeds with equal priority. Whenever the EBB ends, Sparklight will welcome the ACP beneficiaries with new exciting plans. So, if you feel the need for incentives in your current internet bill, then feel free to apply for the Sparklight Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) immediately.
