Comcast offers discount Internet access for low-income youth

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit News

Last Updated: September 16. 2011 4:52PM
Comcast offers discount Internet access for low-income youth
Josh Katzenstein/ The Detroit News


Detroit— Hoping to bridge the technological divide among Michigan youth, Comcast announced Friday a statewide program offering discounted high-speed Internet service and affordable computers for low-income families.

Broadband Internet is now available for $9.95 a month plus tax to any family with children who receive free or reduced lunch as long as they are in Comcast's service area. Eligible families also have the opportunity to purchase a netbook computer for just $149.99.

"The Internet is not a luxury," said Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, one of several elected officials lauding the program during a press conference at Detroit's Focus: HOPE charity on Friday. "The Internet is essential, and it's essential for every child."

The initiative, "Internet Essentials," will also provide digital literacy training to eligible families at Focus: HOPE using a $25,000 grant from the Comcast Foundation.


Read more: http://detnews.com/article/20110916/METRO01/109160422/Comcast-offers-discount-Internet-access-for-low-income-youth#ixzz1Y9dspFnl

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I'm no fan of Comcast, but I applaud them on this one.

[Crazy Dave]

1. A lot of cities are starting to offer free wifi in their metro areas n/t

[BadgerKid]

5. Interetsting. I thought cables companies claimed unfair competition

for city government to provide free wifi.

I've heard of residents banding together to form neighborhood wifi networks.

[Posteritatis]

9. Cable companies are suing a lot of cities over it. (nt)

[frazzled]

2. I wonder if any politician there sits on the Telecommunications Committee

I don't know if you remember this controversy from several years ago, but AT&T/SBC made an even larger donation to bridge the digital divide in Bobby Rush's extremely poor Englewood (Chicago) district. One million dollars to build the Bobby L. Rush Technology Center. Problem was, Bobby Rush was on the committee reviewing a rewrite of the telecommunication law, and surprise, surprise, he backed it vociferously. Read about it here: http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2006/04/sweet_news_story_bobby_rush_co.html

I'd like a little more information on this magnanimous gift before commending Comcast, which is not a company normally given to charitable interests.

[msongs]

3. somebody is going to pay for the "reduction". all internet should be at those rates as a public util

utility not a corporate rip off

[boppers]

11. If they there at utility rates, like water, electric, etc. they'd be billed that way.

Several european countries do it that way, so it's not unusual to get a $300 internet bill if you don't know what you're doing. As it is, $150 a month is pretty amazing for the bandwidth people get.

[formercia]

4. Got to make sure that, even the poorest of the poor get properly Brainwashed

even if it has to be a Loss Leader.

Can't risk them developing independent thought.

[JI7]

6. how is providing affordable internet access going to brainwash people ?

[Occulus]

7. Yes, because everyone knows once you're online you only get what your provider wants you to have

:eyes:

[Posteritatis]

8. What a stupid post. (nt)

[hunter]

10. How sweet. $9.95 a month plus tax...

... And then Comcast goes squealing like a pig complaining to their congress critters if any big bad socialists offer free internet.

[boppers]

12. "Michigan joins a nationwide program serving 39 states"

11 to go?