These ISPs Offer Discounts for Veterans and Active Military Members

More than 10 million veterans, military personnel and their families saw their internet bills increase in June when Accessible Connectivity Program Completed. According to White House Fact SheetMilitary families made up nearly half of all ACP recipients.

“If the program ends, some veterans would have to pay $30 to $75 more for internet access each month, and others could lose internet access entirely,” Department of Veterans Affairs spokesman Terrence Hayes told CNET in May. “This is unacceptable, especially at a time when telehealth has become such an important tool.”

According to recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine, Telehealth visits via video account for nearly 12% of outpatient care for veterans, up 2,300% from pre-pandemic levels. Another Federal Communications Commission report identified the monthly cost of internet subscriptions as a “key barrier to broadband adoption” for veterans. Given this, ending the ACT would have a dramatic impact on the well-being of the military community.

While no program can replace the $30 to $75 monthly discount that ACP offers, several other options are available to military families, including discounts from Internet service providers and other government subsidies.

Military discounts from Internet providers

Many internet providers offer discounts to military families. You can also read our review best cheap internet providers cheaper options. These are all the discounts I found in my research, but there may be regional providers available at your address that I haven’t mentioned. You can find all the ISPs in your area by entering your address at FCC Broadband Card.

Coke

Anyone receiving a Veterans Affairs pension or survivors benefit is eligible to take advantage of Cox’s ConnectAssist plan. It provides speeds of up to 100 Mbps for $30 per month, which is $20 less than Coke charge for the same speed without a discount.

Broadband growth

Active and retired military personnel will be able to receive a monthly 10% discount on Internet services from Broadband growth – one of the most generous discounts I’ve come across. Rise primarily offers fixed wireless Internet service in rural areas, with plans ranging from $25 to $100 per month. To activate the discount, you will have to speak directly with customer service.

Starlink

Starlink Doesn’t technically offer a military discount, but Home Depot does—and you can use it to get 10% off a $349 Starlink satellite dish ($35 off). Monthly prices for Starlink are still high at $120, but it’s a great option in rural areas where there are no other high-speed internet providers.

Verizon Fios

All military personnel and veterans are eligible to participate. Verizon Fios Military Discount. Here’s the savings you’ll get on each Verizon Fios plan:

• $5 discount per month on 300 Mbps speed.
• $10 discount per month on 500 Mbps speed.
• $15 off per month gigabit connection.

Xfinity

Xfinity offers a variety discounts for military personnelincluding a $180 virtual prepaid card, a Peacock Premium subscription and a free Xfinity Mobile cell phone line for a year. Any active or reserve military personnel, retired military personnel, veterans, spouses or family members living in the same household as one of the above are eligible.

Internet providers that don’t offer military discounts

At the time of writing, the following providers do not currently offer any discounts on internet service for military personnel:

Other Accessible Internet Resources

In addition to the programs listed above, there are several Internet options for low-income people are worth studying. Life line is currently the most significant replacement for ACP. The program has stricter income requirements than ACP: your annual income must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty level, or $42,120 for a family of four. The benefit is also only $9.25 per month, but can be used for home Internet or cell phone plans. There may also be resources in your state or city to help you stay connected with military families.