Quantum Fiber Simply Fiber: $30 Internet for Low-Income 2026
Does Quantum Fiber Still Offer ACP Discounts in 2026?
Short answer: no. If you had the Quantum Fiber Affordable Connectivity Program discount on your bill, it ended along with the program itself on June 1, 2024 — for every provider, not just Quantum Fiber. But that is not the end of the story: Quantum Fiber replaced it with its own low-income plan, and the federal Lifeline program can cut the price further. Here is exactly what happened, what replaced the ACP, and how to pay as little as possible for Quantum Fiber internet in 2026.
What Happened to the ACP at Quantum Fiber?
The Affordable Connectivity Program was a federal program, run by the FCC, that gave qualifying households up to $30 per month off internet service. When Congress did not renew its funding, the FCC wound the program down on a fixed timeline:
- February 8, 2024: the ACP stopped accepting new applications and enrollments.
- April 2024: the last month households received the full discount; some got a partial discount in May.
- June 1, 2024: the program ended entirely. All ACP discounts stopped.
Quantum Fiber customers on ACP had to actively consent to keep their service at the undiscounted price, switch plans, or cancel. There is no way to re-enroll — the program no longer exists. The FCC's own ACP consumer FAQ confirms the program has ended.
Was the Affordable Connectivity Program Legit?
Yes — this comes up a lot, and the answer matters. The ACP was a real federal program administered by the FCC. If you received the discount, it was legitimate government assistance, not a scam.
But here is the part to be careful about now: because the ACP was so well known, scammers still use its name. Any website, call, or text asking for your personal information to "enroll" you in the ACP today is a scam — enrollment has been closed since February 2024 and the program is over. The same goes for anyone promising to "restore" your ACP discount for a fee. If you are unsure about an offer, verify it at the FCC's official site before sharing anything.
Quantum Fiber's Replacement: Simply Fiber Internet
After the ACP ended, Quantum Fiber (part of Lumen Technologies) introduced its own low-income option: the Simply Fiber Internet Plan. Here is what it includes:
- $30 per month plus applicable taxes and fees
- Up to 200 Mbps fiber internet (symmetrical speeds on fiber)
- Free installation and included 360 WiFi equipment
- No annual contract and no cancellation fee
- Price-for-life on the plan while you stay a customer
For comparison, Quantum Fiber's cheapest regular plan starts at $50 per month — so Simply Fiber cuts the price nearly in half for those who qualify. The catch: it is generally limited to new Quantum Fiber customers in the company's service areas (parts of the Midwest, West, and South, including cities like Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Orlando, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Seattle), and availability varies by exact address.
Who Qualifies for Simply Fiber Internet?
Eligibility is based on participation in government assistance programs, including:
- SNAP (food stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- WIC
- National School Lunch Program
- LIHEAP (energy assistance)
- TANF
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefits
- Head Start
Quantum Fiber sets its own eligibility list for this company-funded plan, so confirm the current requirements with Quantum Fiber directly before applying.
Stack It With Lifeline: Get to About $20.75/Month
Here is the move most former ACP customers miss: Quantum Fiber participates in the federal Lifeline program, and the company encourages qualifying customers to apply. Lifeline provides $9.25 per month off broadband service ($34.25 on Tribal lands), and the Simply Fiber plan is reported as eligible for the Lifeline discount.
The math: $30.00 (Simply Fiber) − $9.25 (Lifeline) = about $20.75 per month for 200 Mbps fiber internet. That is the cheapest legitimate path to Quantum Fiber service we are aware of.
Unlike the old ACP, you cannot sign up for Lifeline directly through the provider alone — you apply through the National Verifier at lifeline.usac.org, proving eligibility with one of the standard qualifiers (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Veterans Pension, or income at or below 135% of the poverty guidelines). Once approved, you apply the benefit to your Quantum Fiber service. Confirm with Quantum Fiber that Lifeline stacking is currently honored on Simply Fiber before you count on the combined price.
How to Get Simply Fiber Internet: Step by Step
- Check availability. Enter your address on Quantum Fiber's site — Simply Fiber is only offered in Quantum Fiber service areas, and not every address qualifies.
- Confirm you are a new customer. The plan is generally aimed at households not currently subscribed to Quantum Fiber.
- Gather proof of program participation. A benefit award letter from SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or another qualifying program, dated within the last 12 months, is the usual requirement.
- Apply for Simply Fiber through Quantum Fiber, providing your eligibility proof.
- Separately apply for Lifeline at lifeline.usac.org to get the extra $9.25 per month off.
- Keep your paperwork. You will need to recertify Lifeline eligibility every year.
What If Quantum Fiber Isn't Available at Your Address?
Quantum Fiber's footprint is limited — large parts of the country cannot get it at all. If that is you, the strategy is the same everywhere: pair the cheapest plan you can find with the federal programs that still exist.
- Lifeline ($9.25/month) works with dozens of participating internet and phone providers nationwide — check lifeline.usac.org for companies serving your ZIP code.
- Provider low-income plans still exist after the ACP: Xfinity Internet Essentials, Spectrum Internet Assist, and AT&T Access are the best-known examples. Each has its own eligibility rules and prices.
- Check benefits.gov for other assistance you may qualify for — many households eligible for one program are eligible for several.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Quantum Fiber still offer the Affordable Connectivity Program?
No. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended on June 1, 2024 for all providers, including Quantum Fiber. No new enrollments have been accepted since February 2024.
Was the Affordable Connectivity Program legitimate?
Yes. The ACP was a real federal program run by the FCC that discounted internet bills for qualifying households. It ended when Congress did not renew its funding. Anyone asking for your personal information to enroll you in ACP today is running a scam.
What is Quantum Fiber Simply Fiber Internet?
Simply Fiber Internet is Quantum Fiber's low-income plan: up to 200 Mbps for $30 per month, with free installation and no annual contract, for households participating in qualifying assistance programs. Availability is limited to new customers in Quantum Fiber service areas.
Can I combine Lifeline with Quantum Fiber Simply Fiber?
Quantum Fiber participates in the federal Lifeline program, and the Simply Fiber plan is reported as eligible for the $9.25-per-month Lifeline broadband discount, which would bring the effective cost to about $20.75 per month. Confirm current stacking with Quantum Fiber before enrolling.
Who qualifies for Quantum Fiber Simply Fiber Internet?
Eligibility is based on participation in assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, the National School Lunch Program, LIHEAP, TANF, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension. Check Quantum Fiber's current eligibility list, as it can change.
Can I get free internet from Quantum Fiber?
There is currently no way to get free Quantum Fiber internet. The cheapest path is the $30-per-month Simply Fiber plan for qualifying low-income households, reduced further to about $20.75 per month if you also apply the Lifeline discount.
The Bottom Line
The ACP is gone and it is not coming back without new funding from Congress — but former ACP customers on Quantum Fiber are not out of options. The Simply Fiber Internet plan at $30/month, stacked with the $9.25 Lifeline discount, gets you 200 Mbps fiber for about $20.75/month. That is the honest 2026 answer to every "quantum fiber ACP" search: the old discount ended, the new playbook is Simply Fiber plus Lifeline.
Disclaimer: Program details, plan prices, and eligibility rules change over time. Verify current Simply Fiber availability and pricing with Quantum Fiber, and current Lifeline rules at lifeline.usac.org, before applying.
