Free Internet to Low Income Households

[Demon_Skeith]

Google will soon be offering free Internet to selected Housing and Urban Development assisted properties across the United States.

The program is part of a White House project called ConnectHome, and will be launching in all current and future Google Fiber markets. Right now this includes Atlanta, Durham, Nashville and Kansas City, and will soon be expanding to cities such as Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Portland, and San Jose.

The Google Internet package will cost nothing per month, and has no installation fee. CenturyLink is also taking part in ConnectHome by offering Internet to HUD homes in Seattle for $10 a month for the first year, followed by $15 a month for the next four years.

"We realize, though, that providing an Internet connection is just one piece of the puzzle," says Erica Swanson, head of community impact at Google Fiber. "That’s why we’ll also partner with ConnectHome and local community groups to develop basic computer skills training and create computer labs to host these trainings in each of our Fiber markets."

source

This is sure to end dial up, but good that all can get internet. Though some education on how to use it will be needed.

 

[IntoxNitram]

A decent idea, even something basic is an ideal solution. Internet should become a basic human right after everything going online - those without internet will struggle to do things. 

 

[lb]

That's a nice project Google has going on. I remember that Microsoft offered free netbooks to some families with low income some time ago... Google and Microsoft seem to be really working on getting the poorer people settled in the digital age, while Apple just releases devices that are more and more expensive with every season...

 

[froggyboy604]

while Apple just releases devices that are more and more expensive with every season...

I think the iPad Minis, iPod Touch, iPhone 5C and Apple TV are now more affordable, so people with less money can afford them if they save their money longer for an Apple product.

Apple products are more expensive, but a lot of their products can last a long time, and gets operating updates for free for many years like the older iPhone 4S and iPad 2 will  still get iOS 9 in the Fall. I still see people using their older Apple computers, iPhone 3GS, iPods, and iPad 1-2, so I think people who use Apple products could save money over time since it is less likely that Apple products break as quickly after the warranty period compared to cheaper and lower quality products from brands like Samsung, Dell, and HP.

Buyers of cheaper and lower quality devices may end up spending more money if they keep replacing their broken lower quality devices with other lower quality devices which don't last as long as higher quality devices.

 

[lb]

I know what you mean, but usually, in poorer European countries, people can only afford Apple products that are from the previous generations. For example, when they launched the iPad Air, people used to rejoice because the prices for the iPad 3 dropped a little, so they could finally afford an iPad. Same thing with the iPhone 6. When it was released around here, people were happy not because of the iPhone 6, which very few could afford, but rather because they could afford an iPhone 5.

 

[froggyboy604]

I know what you mean, but usually, in poorer European countries, people can only afford Apple products that are from the previous generations. For example, when they launched the iPad Air, people used to rejoice because the prices for the iPad 3 dropped a little, so they could finally afford an iPad. Same thing with the iPhone 6. When it was released around here, people were happy not because of the iPhone 6, which very few could afford, but rather because they could afford an iPhone 5.

I think it is kind of the same in Canada where poorer Canadians still buy the iPhone 5C instead of iPhone 5S, 6, and 6 Plus because now the iPhone 5C is more affordable after the 6 and 6 Plus got release. The 5C still offer good performance, and features which is good enough for many users.

 

[Claraviolet]

That's a great idea but what about other countries >.<

 

[Demon_Skeith]

That's a great idea but what about other countries >.<

other countries have better set up than the USA.

 

[Claraviolet]

other countries have better set up than the USA.

If I were you, I wouldn't say that so confidently :/ 

 

[Demon_Skeith]

Tis a fact:

http://www.businessinsider.com/18-countries-that-have-stronger-better-faster-internet-than-america-2010-10

and that was five years ago, I think we've dropped even more on the list.

 

[lb]

Tis a fact:

http://www.businessinsider.com/18-countries-that-have-stronger-better-faster-internet-than-america-2010-10

and that was five years ago, I think we've dropped even more on the list.

I'm a bit amused to see Iceland on that list... Iceland has less than half a million people, and some of them don't even have internet connection. Of course they have fast internet. There's hardly anyone using it.