Despite the best efforts of the government and its corporate and public service allies, needy Americans adoption is lagging among needy Americans.
Witnesses at a meeting of the Senate Commerce Communications Subcommittee disagreed about the solution to the problem.
Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Chairman of the Subcommittee, said, “Even today, nearly 30 percent of the Americans who have access to broadband do not subscribe to those services.”
Subcommittee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said, “The primary reasons for non-adoption include lack of ‘digital literacy,’ questions regarding the relevancy of broadband in their lives, and the cost of equipment and service,” he said.
The lack of progress is particularly disappointing in light of the money that is being poured into the program. According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, also known as BTOP, has spent $7.2 billion in federal grants and it is making remarkable progress. For example, it has added more than 105,000 new or upgraded network miles across the nation and added or improved service to more than 17,000 American schools and libraries. Despite that progress, America’s needy have not participated at levels anticipated.
“It is all about digital literacy, it’s all about education and it’s all about showing people the value to them,” former New Hampshire Senator John Sununu insisted.
Sunne Wright McPeak, president of the California Emerging Technology Fund, added another point of view when she noted policymakers “will not achieve adoption into low income areas without a broadband Lifeline program.” Lifeline Assistance, of course, is the controversial program that offers free government cell phones to low-income Americans.
Continuing in that same vein, Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) noted that the Broadand Adoption Bill she has already proposed a bill that would require the FCC to extend the Lifeline program to cover internet access.
Comcast Executive Vice President David Cohen delivered testimony from the point of view of a company that’s in the trenches and working hard to expand internet access for low income Americans. He opined that an expanded Lifeline Internet program similar to the free government cell phone program would not overcome the high cost of computers and the lack digital literacy that plague America’s poor. He cleverly referred to government partnerships with corporate and public service organizations as “the secret sauce to drive adoption.”
Surprisingly, Cohen noted that just 15% of those who are not connected to the internet users cite price as the primary reason they’re not connected.
There are probably as many reasons as there are poor people, but we laud the government and the witnesses who testified at this hearing. They’re working together to solve a problem that desperately needs a solution.
Source: BNA
Brenda grooms says
I am total disabled, and we need internet for our health insurance purposes, would someone contact me about free or discounted internet. 423 587 ****
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
It doesn’t work that way, Brenda. You need to take a look at all the low-income internet plans availalbe, find the one that fits your needs best, then contact that company. Here’s where you can find all those plans:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
JIM says
HOW CAN YA SIGN UP IF YA’S DON’T HAVE THE INTERNET TO SIGN UP ON? CATCH 22? ALSO GOV. HAS TO ADVERTISE IT ~ THE PROVIDERS IF THEY DO, BURY IT ON THEIR WEB PAGES SO IT’S NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND.
Bridget Grimes says
Where do I go to get a computer I ‘m a mini wage earner, and an older person I have never heard of these programs. I use the library it limits the time spent on a computer and there by limiting job search
Lew Waterman says
I am not proud to say I think I am a needy American who is also looking, so far unsuccessfully, for free/cheap broadband Internet in my home. I’m 76 years of age, in poor health (so much so, that I live under what I call self-imposed house arrest), on Medicaid, food stamps, Medicare with an income of $763/mo. on Social Security. The programs I am aware of through Century Link, Comcast and the wireless hot spot, say I don’t qualify, because I am either a current customer, don’t have a kid in school or they don’t have service to my address. Meanwhile, the power company notified me my bill is past due and threaten to cut off electricity. I can’t pay for car insurance or annual registration and someone just stole my license plate. I am a university graduate and do know how to use the Internet. I use it for many things including entertainment. I had to give up cable TV and home phone. To end on a good note, I am thankful for free Lifeline wireless phone/service, medical coverage, food and my Yorkie dogs.
luke says
Hello no one knows about it or where to sign up yes there many paid service but no life line service for free cable broadband just one service and that for kids only program this does not work for most.
100 of webpages and i am still looking for lifeline free cable broadband and still nothing all the talk but i seeing nothing unless you have a child.
Clara Reeves says
I am trying to find the wifi for $9.95 that is offered on your web page. How do I sighn up for this internet?
Cheap Internet Administrator says
https://www.cheapinternet.com/get-help
Cheap Internet Administrator says
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-cost-internet-service