January 7, 2022

What’s the news?   Cricket Wireless has opened enrollment in the new federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households a benefit of up to $30 a month and up to $75 on qualifying Tribal lands  to reduce the cost of their wireless bill.

Congress recently created the long-term $14 billion Affordable Connectivity Program, which replaces the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. This investment will help ensure that more Americans can afford the broadband connections they need for work, school, healthcare and more.  

More Cricket plans will be available as a part of ACP, which means eligible customers can sign up for Cricket’s $30/mo. plan at no cost.1

Even more, Cricket is upgrading its $30/mo. and $40/mo. plans. Customers on the $30/mo. plan2 will see their monthly data allotment automatically increase from 2GB to 5GB. New customers who sign up for Cricket service on the $40/mo. plan2, which offers a 10GB of monthly data, will now be able to make and receive calls and send texts from Canada and Mexico.
 
Why is this important? Affordability is one of the key roadblocks to narrowing the digital divide. The ACP will provide eligible customers with federal benefits that can be applied to wireless services from Cricket Wireless.

Cricket will continue to offer our best value to customers by increasing data for those on its $30/mo. plan2 from 2GB to 5GB.  Customers who sign up for service on our $40/mo. plan2 will be able to make calls and send texts to and from, and in and between the U.S., in Mexico and Canada. Primary usage must occur in the U.S. with respect to Canada.

What are people saying? “This is great news for our customers,” said John Dwyer, President of the AT&T Prepaid Portfolio (includes Cricket Wireless). “As we transition from the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit program to the Affordable Connectivity Program, Cricket and AT&T PREPAID will deliver on the promise of a simple wireless experience for those in need of low-cost mobile broadband.”

What’s new with ACP?
Under the ACP, the maximum monthly benefit will change to up to $30 per month for eligible households. The monthly benefit will remain at $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Existing EBB customers will continue to receive monthly benefits of up to $50 per month through March 1.  
 
Households will also have new ways to qualify for ACP such as: receiving WIC benefits or having an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You can find all eligibility requirements at https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov. 
 
When does this change from EBB to ACP take effect? 
New customers can confirm eligibility with the National Verifier and enroll in the ACP today. EBB enrollment ended December 30, 2021.

What do current Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) customers need to do?
Most current EBB customers don’t need to do anything to transition to the ACP benefit. Your current EBB benefit will remain the same through March 1. To receive the ACP benefit after March 1, you may be contacted by the Universal Services Administrative Co. (USAC) to reverify your eligibility. If you qualified under the EBB COVID temporary loss of income criteria, then you will need to requalify with the National Verifier under different criteria prior to March 1.
The main thing to remember is that on March 1 the monthly benefit will decrease from the $50 EBB program benefit to up to $30 under the ACP (there is no change to the Tribal benefit).

How do customers enroll in the ACP? 
Step 1 – You must first apply to the federal government’s National Verifier at  https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov to determine if you are eligible for ACP. Eligibility is determined by the federal government, not by Cricket Wireless. You may get approved online in just a few minutes, although it could take up to a few days if an application requires a manual review.  
  
Step 2 – Once approved, you will be able to order new Cricket service, or have the benefit applied to your existing service. More details on the process will be available at cricketwireless.com/ACP.
 
What plans are covered? 
Customers can find out details on which services are available by visiting cricketwireless.com/ACP for information on Cricket Wireless plans. 
    
For more information go to:  How do I take advantage of this?  Cricket Wireless will begin enrolling customers on January 7. Customers will first need to find out if they are eligible by visiting https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov. We’ll provide regular updates as the ACP goes live. 

Cricket also offers: To find out more about Cricket, our current promotions, or how to find a Cricket Wireless store near you, go to cricketwireless.com.

About Cricket Wireless
Cricket is focused on inspiring smiles, one meaningful connection at a time. We offer an easy and high-quality wireless experience on our reliable nationwide network. Our affordable, straightforward service plans include monthly taxes and don’t require an annual contract. Our customers also enjoy basic to top-brand phones at affordable prices.  The AT&T Prepaid Portfolio, which includes Cricket Wireless, was the fastest growing prepaid carrier in the United States in Q3 2021 and has been for the past three years.

Visit cricketwireless.com to learn more or find a store near you. Stay up-to-date with the Cricket Newsroom, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Smile. You’re on Cricket.

*Cricket is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. © 2022 Cricket Wireless LLC. All rights reserved. Cricket and the Cricket logo are trademarks under license to Cricket Wireless LLC.

1 If your plan is $0 after the ACP benefit, you must use your service every month or the benefit will be removed.
2 Cricket may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy