We constantly scour the internet looking for cheap internet news our readers can use. So we were excited when we read about a nationwide free internet plan being proposed in the Senate. Very excited.
Then it occurred to us that we had never heard of the Senator who proposed this plan. When we Googled him, we found out he was a Senator in the Philippines Senate, not the American Senate.
At first we were embarrassed that we made such a stupid error. But the more we thought about it, our embarrassment was replaced by anger.
How, we wondered, can a relatively poor country like the Philippines afford to offer a free national internet access system when rich country like America can’t? It just isn’t right. It clearly demonstrates a problem with priorities
Free internet in public places, including schools and terminals, is now closer to reality with a Senate bill up for plenary approval by January
…The proposal seeks to provide free internet access in all national and local government offices; public schools, including state colleges and universities; public hospitals and health centers; public parks, plazas, and libraries; and airports, seaports, and transport terminals.
…“Now is the time to invest completely in developing internet quality and bringing this powerful tool to every port, every station, every park, every museum, and every classroom…,” the senator said.
…The program shall involve the establishment of the infrastructure, installation of equipment, and the creation of an online platform and application necessary to provide free internet access to the public.
… “How do we let thousands of free WiFi spots bloom? By fixing the upstream first. If this bill will provide the gateway and the impetus for reforms, propelled by the critical mass of users, then it is the greatest-value service it can provide,” Recto pointed out.
He said expanding the country’s information and communications technology (ICT) capability will boost jobs and the economy.
“This bill goes beyond installing taxpayer funded free WiFi spots. Like the creation of the DICT, it forms part of the must-dos to future-proof our country. It is one of the important apps for tomorrow,” Recto added.
This is a national disgrace. The internet was invented and developed by American companies with American ingenuity and American technology.
Every member of the United States Senate should be embarrassed that their counterparts in the western Pacific are addressing the issue of internet access for the poor while they sit silently in elegant marbled halls of Washington, DC.
America’s neediest citizens desperately need internet access. Without it, they can’t get jobs. The can’t keep in touch with medical professionals. Their kids can’t do their homework. They’ll fall further and further behind the rest of America.
We have a new President who was elected by underemployed Americans who want to see things change. We urge him and other leaders in Washington to take action soon.
h/t: GMANetwork
Noreen Jackson says
You should be embarrassed for your stupidity. That is a big problem with overeducated in dumb liberal colleges and universities about everything but reality. Internet Essentials has a bogus side, especially where the conning Comcast is concerned. I would recommend anyone over concast aka. Comcast. This is your wakeup call.Now heed it.
Lamar B says
I think that any senior citizen that is living on Medicare should be able to get free internet, they need it as well as the young it would improve their quality of life also.
Mary Luna says
Free wifi should be a priority, when our elected officials get back to work. Will be great for all the poor people and youngsters. Let’s hope they see it as a way for better educations and better work place opportunities in the future.
Susan Lee says
CenturyLink told me not to get any of these offered discounts, cuz they were not reliable and my phone would keep getting disconnected, he told me I wasn’t eligible anyway ( total lie ). I can hardly even begin to express how many times CenturyLink has just taken unauthorized money out of my account, overcharging me, and telling me a new deal was available, and the guy would come out to the house with a upgraded modem, no charge etc…No matter how many hours and hours, and days and days I spend talking to every single department, every supervisor they REFUSE to resolve my issue, now I am forced to go to small claims court., they should settle this with me first because they will lose this case because I have documentation of everything, they are not acting in good faith, and I’m exhausted. So disappointed!!
Regina Porte says
Sounds good, when will it start?
JENNIFER Harper says
Can I get help with satellite Internet costs? The area I live in cannot get cable service
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We are unaware of any low-income satellite internet plans, Jennifer.
barbara rackley says
A lot of countries all so has free medical care and free education. It’s amazing how Americans are taxed to the hilt for things that are free to other countries and we suppose to be the richest of all. It shows a total lack of empathy for middle and lower income citizens. When you install mostly billionaires to your cabinet there is little hope for us. Billionaires no absolutely nothing about the lower class plight. There must be some way for us, the seniors, to make our voices heard. I have been advocating to Comcast and at&t for years about giving the seniors a break.
feel that seniors in the U.S. are an invisible class of people. We have worked hard, paid into the social security plan and still get no help from the cable companies. What can we as victims do to bring this to fruition. I am a 69yr old disabled senior and the lowest price I could find for the internet is $60.00 per month. This is ridiculous.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We are in 100% agreement about giving something back to our seniors, Barbara. Don’t give up yet, though. Check out all the other low-income internet plans available. Pay particular attention to PCs for People and 4GCommunity, which don’t have the same restrictions as the other plans. We hope they’re available in your area. Here’s where you can find more info:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
We do disagree with your comments about the billionaires, though. We don’t think it matters whether it’s Democrats or Republicans or any other party in power, they will all burn through tax dollars with no sense of what’s important and what’s not. The amount of money wasted on needless crap is astounding.
Nobody Else says
Sorry, Cheap suit, but you are seeing it through rose-colored glasses. The billionaires have stolen money from us for years, but a new day is dawning and they will be stripped of most wealth. And hacks speaking for them will meet the fate of Marie Antoinette. It is a matter of time.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
How did the billionaires steal money from you, Nobody? How much did they steal?
Mercedes G Lopez says
searching for a low price on internet and Wi-Fi wireless at homeUnlimited
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
None of the plans are unlimited, Mercedes. They are all intended to provide basic plans for low-income Americans.
b burk says
Why do programs like this only make it available to those receiving charity already like food stamps or free lunches. I can’t get any help because I don’t have children to raise. I am not a senior citizen yet because I am only 50. I have worked my entire life so I have a lot of work experience but my age makes me a health risk. Part time hours for $7.50 is not that attractive any way. Everyone I know is receiving a government check of some kind. And if you qualify for one that gives access to all the charity programs. My sister receives disability and she is only 2 yrs older than me. She has been getting a disability check for over 20 yrs. Because of that check her and her husband(nothing wrong with him he works) own 5 rental properties plus 80 acres where there cattle graze and have a new vehicle plus they get food stamps and are eligible for all kinds of free assistance because of the disability check. I guess I should inform her about the cheap internet she could get it. I think she already has a free phone. There are other examples from real life people but talking about it just depresses me. I can’t get a job, can’t get disability, can’t get food stamps, can’t get child support, can’t get social security, won’t get a pension, can’t get a free phone, can’t get cheap internet. I give up. Everybody else wins.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We have to admit that it sounds as if your sister is ripping off the system, B. We don’t know where you live, but you should check out two programs in particular: PCs for People and 4GCommunity. They are great options IF you live in an area where they are offered. Here’s a link where you can find more info:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Rodger L Burgess says
WIth great regret, It is very sad for this old man to say that the dirty corrupt and greedy politicians in this country have little care about the citizens and this is evident with their actions and also what they provide with our tax dollars to almost every other country, while not taking care of us first.
I see a 2nd CIVIL WAR COMING IF TRUMP CANNOT WAKE THESE POLICITIANS UP! THEY ARE HUNG UP ON THEIR RESPECTIVE POLITICAL PART ALLEGIANCE AND DONT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT US. THEY ARE A TOTAL BUNCH OF LUNITICS AND IF TRUMP CANT DRAIN THE SWAMP, THE CITIZENS WILL!
Nobody Else says
I agree with Rodger B. We will make a drastic change and Trump will go the way of the rest of the wealthy. It is going to be happening soon!
Mark says
Very true! European countries have the free Internet for years, some of the third world countries are having it too, but the American establishment let the greedy companies that monopolized the nationwide Internet access to milk us like dairy cows. What a shame!
Bobbie says
I am totally discussed with this situation, they have gone as far as giving free internet to people who are in the HUD programs, well I for one, and there are probably many low income seniors who are not on the HUD program, who can not afford the internet!!! I guess we don’t count, we are not important. Like I said, I am totally discussed!!!
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We hear you, Bobbie. We look forward to the day that seniors are included.
Nobody Else says
Administrator, your talk is cheap and BS walks so pay attention. People are ready for a revolution and most of us think it will be bloody. North Korea will be blasting our cities as will Iran. Maybe the greedy will be in the stone age.
Larry B says
Free national wifi is a good idea. However, it will probably never happen in the USA. There’s too much money at stake for corporations to allow this. Cable companies make billions from the services they sell.
IMO they’ve been reluctant to give a discount even to low income people. They needed to be prodded by the FCC and HUD etc. I expect some of this will go away with a republican administration.
Charter used to charge $40 per month for internet al la carte. Now it’s up to $65 when it probably costs them less to provide service than it used to. Triple play deals are stopping too. My elderly neighbors are paying near $200 month for triple play. And when they call, Charter tells them there are no new promotions.
I refuse to pay that kind of money to watch commercial television. So I have internet only through PCs for people. I’m lucky to be closed to a tower and have good download speed.
Anthony Beasley says
I am so glad to finally see this issue coming into the light! I first heard of this over 10 years ago and in my opinion the only reason it’s only now being openly discussed is in direct reality of the corruption and the promise to drain that nasty swamp in Washington! I would love to see all of America’s past politicians live on one thousand dollars a month, with a pathetic 3% increase for this year and 0% for the previous! The wealth wouldn’t be so greedy and stingy, if they knew that at anytime they could be put into that very same position !
Nobody Else says
Before the greedy are finished, they will be overthrown. Have you seen the freaking taxes we pay for phone service. I am going back to cell phone only and dropping Comcast and their internet and other overpriced crap. Cheap Internet Administrator is wearing rose-colored glasses. We are not that stupid to fall for your line of garbage.