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Comments for "Comcast rolls out $10 web access for low income households"

August 8, 2011, 4:22 pmComcast rolls out $10 web access for low income households

(News story link is below.  First-up is my commentary.)

This is a fabulous idea!  There's no reason it should have required a regulator to force them, it just makes sense.  All the network infrastructure is in place, and it costs very little at this point to deliver basic broadband Internet access to a house.

So now low-income households will have a means to get on the Internet too.  These days it is really impossible (OK, improbable) to use the Internet using a dial-up connection, and the Internet has become an essential tool for everyone.

Imagine being a school-age kid in a household that cannot afford Internet access because it costs $50, $75, or $100 per month.  Teachers assign homework and projects these days assuming that everyone has Internet access at home.  That kid who doesn't have it is incredibly disadvantaged vs. the rest of the class.  Even if they can go to a public library, we all know that presents a number of huge obstacles.

Now, lest you all think I have flipped my lid and gone soft, I assure you I have not.  This just makes sense.  Nobody loses anything -- in fact, the cable company will make money from it.  And the low-income households will definitely be helped.

This would be a lot different if the president suddenly ordered that the government borrow $500 billion to install Internet access for every town in America because low-income households don't have Internet access.  Don't laugh, he's proposed crap like that.  Instead, this is a win-win that directs the help at the people who demonstrably need it, without imposing new taxes or borrowing more money (God help us).

Comcast is currently in 39 states, so this will help a lot of people.  I hope other cable companies follow suit!

News story link:

Comcast rolls out $10 web access for low income households

Last Edited: August 8, 2011, 4:23 pm

Entry #624
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Comments

1.
jarasanComment by jarasan - August 8, 2011, 10:06 pm
Thank You.
2.
jackpotismineComment by jackpotismine - August 9, 2011, 1:33 am
Yes. I agree. I teach English and the students all use the internet to obtain extra information that I do not provide because of time constraints in class. If they want to learn more about the topic or subject the internet is the best way to go. On the downside, parents need to monitor what the kids are accessing on the internet. All in all, it's a win-win situation. We need to level the playing field for all.
3.
Comment by konane - August 9, 2011, 6:28 pm
Great idea!
4.
Comment by camillemiller - August 10, 2011, 3:51 am
Thank you for the update. I also read an article regarding this topic an hour ago before I saw this site. The recent arguments over net neutrality and United States broadband penetration have created a meme in circles of Congress: Broadband Internet access is a human right. Until now, however, that position alone hasn't made it affordable for disadvantaged United States families. Mashable reports that <a title="Comcast offers low-cost Internet Essentials for families" href="http://personalmoneynetwork.com/moneyblog/2011/08/08/comcast-internet-essentials/"> Comcast is launching Internet Essentials</a>, a low-cost program intended to make broadband available for many of those lost in the digital divide. Moreover, Broadband service, which will cost $9.95 per month plus tax, includes cable Internet download speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 384 Kbps. Families that enroll have the option of purchasing a browser-ready netbook computer that runs Windows 7 Starter for $149.99 plus tax. Comcast Internet Essentials will accept new customers for three full school years.

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