The Affordable Connectivity Program was a landmark piece of U.S. government legislation passed in 2021 that aimed to make it easier for people to afford an internet connection in their homes. Today it all comes to an end, leaving an estimated 23 million households — roughly one in six — at risk of losing broadband access, widening the digital divide.
Despite pleas from the Biden administration and several advocacy groups to save the program, it has now officially lapsed. So what’s next? @WIRED has more.