PERRYVILLE – Wisper Internet, an Illinois-based wireless internet service provider, in 2023, will offer cutting-edge wireless technology to serve approximately 2,700 households in the Perryville community with up to 400 Mbps speeds and greater line-of-site wireless penetration. Wisper currently serves 1900 homes with 100 Mbps in the county.
This expansion is part of Wisper’s commitment to providing wireless internet service to rural communities in six states as part of the Connect America Fund (CAF), with an investment of over $9.6 million focused on broadband in Perry County.
Wisper has partnered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their Lifeline Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Based on Wisper’s research, more than 54 percent of families with students in the Perry County School District 32 are eligible for the ACP program, which offers monthly service discounts of up to $30 and credit for eligible device purchases. Those who are approved for the benefit can contact Wisper and provide their ACP approval letter. Customers can sign up at www.affordableconnectivity.gov
Wisper Internet utilizes fixed wireless technology by mounting a receiver onto an elevated structure, such as a communications or water tower, grain elevator or cell tower to connect customers. Customers receive the signal through a small dish outside their home, which transmits it to their router, enabling them to connect to all their devices.
For further information on this service expansion, the new wireless system, or to verify service eligibility, interested parties can contact the Wisper Sales Team at (800) 765-7772 or sales@wisperisp.com. Or visit www.wisperisp.com
Wisper Internet is celebrating 20 years in service, currently has over 200 employees and 20,000 subscribers across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service. This benefit helps to connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.
About the Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program will provide a discount of up to $30 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
- Has an income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelinesor participates in certain assistance programs, such as WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Lifeline;
- Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision.
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income program, subject to FCC approval.
How to Apply
Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.
- Go to orgto apply online and to find participating providers near you. After you apply, you will have to contact a participating provider to select an eligible plan.
Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with copies of documents showing proof of eligibility to:
Emergency Broadband Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742
After you received a notice that you have qualified for the program, households must contact a participating provider to select an Affordable Connectivity Program eligible service plan.
Do I receive the funds directly each month?
No, the Affordable Connectivity Program provides a monthly discount on broadband service of up to $30 per eligible household (or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands). The participating broadband service provider will receive the funds directly from the Affordable Connectivity Program program.
What is the enhanced benefit amount for residents of Tribal Lands?
Eligible households on Tribal lands can receive a total monthly discount of up to $75. You can find out more about which areas are eligible Tribal lands by visiting this site: ACPBenefit.org/do-i-qualify/tribal-benefit.