dslreports logo
Comcast's $10 Broadband Hard to Qualify For
NBC Universal Merger Condition A Little Hollow

To get their acquisition of NBC approved, Comcast proposed a condition requiring they offer $10 1.5 Mbps broadband to low income homes. As we pointed out last summer, Comcast proposed this condition because once potential applicants jump through a number of hoops, Comcast knew that very few low income families would actually qualify.

Applicants have to qualify for the National School Lunch Program, can't owe Comcast money, can't currently have any Comcast service including basic (common even in low-income homes), and can't have had any Comcast service in the last ninety days. Should you actually qualify, Comcast is only offering the deal for two to three years -- so you won't qualify for long.

The policy been a massive PR bounty for Comcast, the company launching the program in numerous cities to great political fanfare. The FCC liked the policy so much, they put it front and center as part of their "Connect to Compete" plan, making political hay from promises to connect low-income families. Except as one Comcast insider told us last summer most low-income folks, as Comcast knew, fail to qualify. Groups like Action United are only now just realizing the plan is a little empty. According to the group, people aren't applying because the plan isn't being advertised, and those who do apply usually get rejected:

quote:
Action United said that of the 107 families who qualified for the school-lunch program, only eight had applied for Internet Essentials. Two of the families were approved and Comcast was sending them paperwork, said Elly Porter-Webb, Action United parent organizer. The group says it has about 44,000 members in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Allentown. Comcast told the other families they were not eligible because of past unpaid cable bills or because they had an existing Internet service, even though the families had children in the federal school-lunch program. "There are too many obstacles," Porter-Webb said.
Of course Comcast knew all of this when the deal was created, and was very fortunate to get the government to sign off on a condition that involves them doing very little actual work at very little cost. It's slightly better than Comcast doing nothing for low income folks, but it's a shining example of the kind of industry promises, FCC programs and regulatory conditions that wind up being 90% hollow upon closer inspection.

Update: Comcast sent us the following statement about the program, and while it notes that Comcast is eager to make improvements, it doesn't really address the plan's seemingly-intentional qualification hurdles:

quote:
We said we would offer Internet Essentials for at least three full academic years and then decide what to do going forward. During that time, if a family qualifies, then they can continue to keep the service as long as at least one child in the home receives a free lunch via the NSLP. So, theoretically, if you had an eight year old and a newborn baby and signed up this year (2011) and assuming the family remains eligible as that baby grows up and then graduates from high school, then the family could keep the service for the next 18 years (2029).

We have printed and mailed more than 11 million brochures, reached out to more than 4,000 school districts with more than 30,000 schools. We’ve hosted hundreds of digital literacy training programs with major non-profit partners all across the country. We’ve launched the service in 39 states plus D.C. and made announcements with state governors, congressional representatives, superintendents, principals, teachers and non-profit leaders – not to mention the joint announcement we made in D.C. with FCC Chairman Genachowski. We’ve run radio and print ads in community papers across the country. And we’ve done the vast majority of all that work since Labor Day. We know we have more work to do, but we’re really just getting started.
view:
topics flat nest 
page: 1 · 2 · next

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium Member
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102

Premium Member

All Part of the Plan

This is like AT&T's mythical $10 a month DSL. It simply doesn't exist.

Comcast should have been forced to provide this price point to all of its customers, regardless of income. Why should a majority of Comcast's customers not be allowed to get the best possible deal for this service?

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by pnh102:

Why should a majority of Comcast's customers not be allowed to get the best possible deal for this service?

Because the majority of Comcast customers already are paying for service, and don't want another backdoor welfare pgm riding on their backs. I'm glad few get this - it keeps rates from going up even more for those who DO pay.

AlexP
@apexcovantage.com

AlexP

Anon

Re: All Part of the Plan

another backdoor welfare program

That's kind of a generous description for a program that doesn't actually provide much of anything to anyone.

I'm glad few get this - it keeps rates from going up even more for those who DO pay.

Right, because you would have seen lower rates if Comcast didn't trot out a hollow show pony program that costs them virtually nothing.
Wilsdom
join:2009-08-06

Wilsdom to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
It was a negotiation point allowing a backdoor monopolistic consolidation that will cost you money. While $10 connections probably would at least be break-even and not affect your bill.

DataRiker
Premium Member
join:2002-05-19
00000

DataRiker to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
I'm sure Comcast still makes money on this 10 dollar plan so how exactly is that welfare?

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by DataRiker:

I'm sure Comcast still makes money on this 10 dollar plan so how exactly is that welfare?

Care to prove that? The qtrly reports indicate costs to provide Internet access per residence is higher than that.

newview
Ex .. Ex .. Exactly
Premium Member
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD

newview

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by FFH5:

The qtrly reports indicate costs to provide Internet access per residence is higher than that.

... and Comcast has NEVER lied, have they?
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned) to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
said by FFH5:

said by DataRiker:

I'm sure Comcast still makes money on this 10 dollar plan so how exactly is that welfare?

Care to prove that? The qtrly reports indicate costs to provide Internet access per residence is higher than that.

Um the lines are already there. It's not like they are having to provide extra infrastrcuture. In fact I'd say it cost Comcast more to NOT have these people using their internet since Comcast still has to maintain this infrustructure anyways.

jester121
Premium Member
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL

jester121

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by 88615298:

In fact I'd say it cost Comcast more to NOT have these people using their internet since Comcast still has to maintain this infrustructure anyways.

Wha? :boggle:

Are you thinking the wires call in trouble tickets or receive invoices in the mail? How on earth can it cost Comcast more money to have wires handing on a pole?

whataname
@iauq.com

whataname

Anon

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by jester121:

Are you thinking the wires call in trouble tickets or receive invoices in the mail? How on earth can it cost Comcast more money to have wires handing on a pole?

These are low income plans, the vast majority of low income people live in apartments. The lines are going to get trouble tickets called on them from someone in the building at any given time, and any lines that go down will have trouble tickets called on them whether or not the customer has service.

Yes, it is in their best interests to be getting some sort of return rather than the nothing they get now.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned) to jester121

Member

to jester121
said by jester121:

said by 88615298:

In fact I'd say it cost Comcast more to NOT have these people using their internet since Comcast still has to maintain this infrustructure anyways.

Wha? :boggle:

Are you thinking the wires call in trouble tickets or receive invoices in the mail? How on earth can it cost Comcast more money to have wires handing on a pole?

Oh I'm sorry Comcast only hires CS reps and guys to repair lines AFTER trouble has been reported? Or are these guys ALREADY being employed by Comcast so their cost is already taken into consideration?
Der_Idiot
join:2008-02-10
Norwood Young America, MN

Der_Idiot to jester121

Member

to jester121
Actually some municipalities charge a fee to have them hanging there.

And I'm sure the line maintenance guys, trucks, vans, hardware and replacement equipment are all free too. I hate big telco/cable myself, but that doesn't mean I will let myself sit ignorant on the matters..

Anon9999
@covad.net

Anon9999 to 88615298

Anon

to 88615298
You know how much those lines cost, and what the bill is, plus interest each month, to pay them back?

woody7
Premium Member
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA

woody7 to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
Do you always believe quarterly reports?

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by woody7:

Do you always believe quarterly reports?

They are usually pretty informative if you stick to the numbers; read the addenda; and ignore the PR BS in them.

fifty nine
join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

1 recommendation

fifty nine to DataRiker

Member

to DataRiker
said by DataRiker:

I'm sure Comcast still makes money on this 10 dollar plan

Based on what?

DataRiker
Premium Member
join:2002-05-19
00000

DataRiker

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by fifty nine:

said by DataRiker:

I'm sure Comcast still makes money on this 10 dollar plan

Based on what?

The fact that they are charging only slightly less than what I payed in South Korea for an uncapped cable line.

Just because they massively overcharge on their normal plans doesn't mean 10 dollars a line can't be a money maker.
ctggzg
Premium Member
join:2005-02-11
USA

ctggzg to fifty nine

Premium Member

to fifty nine
said by fifty nine:

Based on what?

Based on irrational contempt for any "evil" company that tries to make a profit.
john262
join:2003-09-26
Elko, NV

1 recommendation

john262 to DataRiker

Member

to DataRiker
I don't know if it's welfare but it's not fair that only certain people qualify for it.

vdiv
Premium Member
join:2002-03-23
Reston, VA

vdiv

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

Did you know that all Comcast employees residing in an area serviced by Comcast are eligible for free cable and HSI? They still have to pay equipment fees, VOD, PPV and voice, albeit at heavily reduced rates.

There is nothing fair about Comcast.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by vdiv:

Did you know that all Comcast employees residing in an area serviced by Comcast are eligible for free cable and HSI? They still have to pay equipment fees, VOD, PPV and voice, albeit at heavily reduced rates.

There is nothing fair about Comcast.

And how is giving their own employees a perk of employment, and also by the way a ready made beta test group, unfair?

Airlines give employees free trips; auto companies sell employees cars at cost, retailers give employees sales discounts, etc.

Why do you think that is unfair?

vdiv
Premium Member
join:2002-03-23
Reston, VA

vdiv

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

Because they are willing to shift the cost of offering these services onto their customers and get a tax break in the process. So if they can do that for tens of thousands of employees, why can't they do it for low income customers especially since it was a part of the agreement to buy NBC-Universal?

The fact that other companies are also discounting their products/services for their employees or affiliates does not make it fair -- it is arbitrary, subjective, corruptive and as you point out, a fact of life.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by vdiv:

So if they can do that for tens of thousands of employees, why can't they do it for low income customers especially since it was a part of the agreement to buy NBC-Universal?

How about because the employees make a contribution to the organization's success and are rewarded for their efforts. And the low income customers are a cost EXTORTED from Comcast by the welfare government in Wash,DC in order to keep the serfs beholden for the handouts.

vdiv
Premium Member
join:2002-03-23
Reston, VA

vdiv

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

Extorted?! Stop kidding yourself, nobody extorts Comcast. It is run by thugs and charlatans. It makes the South Philly mafia look like saints. It treats everyone like crap, not just their customers, but their employees, business partners, vendors, city, state and federal officials.

They don't need you to be their apologist.
john262
join:2003-09-26
Elko, NV

john262 to vdiv

Member

to vdiv
That's different. It's called an employee benefit. I have no problem with that.

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium Member
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102 to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
said by FFH5:

Because the majority of Comcast customers already are paying for service, and don't want another backdoor welfare pgm riding on their backs. I'm glad few get this - it keeps rates from going up even more for those who DO pay.

I agree with you in spirit, but if Comcast, as expected, can easily weasel out of this part of the deal, then the merger between it and NBC should be dissolved.

As always, the blame goes strictly on the government at all levels which rubber-stamped this merger. Shame on all of them.

vpoko
Premium Member
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA

vpoko to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
said by FFH5:

Because the majority of Comcast customers already are paying for service, and don't want another backdoor welfare pgm riding on their backs. I'm glad few get this - it keeps rates from going up even more for those who DO pay.

The merger will be the reason for your higher prices, you just can't see the forest for the trees.

Boricua
Premium Member
join:2002-01-26
Sacramuerto

Boricua to pnh102

Premium Member

to pnh102
Yes, I remember that fiasco. I also remember many members here helped others trying to get that deal as best as possible.

baineschile
2600 ways to live
Premium Member
join:2008-05-10
Sterling Heights, MI

baineschile to pnh102

Premium Member

to pnh102
I have a job, AND i want welfare/government assisted child supprt/food stamps too.

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium Member
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by baineschile:

I have a job, AND i want welfare/government assisted child supprt/food stamps too.

Consider this point though.

Merging Comcast and NBC creates a vertically integrated company that can and does indeed have significant power and leverage over other content companies and other content distributors. This power can be abused and will ultimately hurt customers in the end.

$10 a month broadband for anyone who wanted it would have successfully mitigated that concern.

toby
Troy Mcclure
join:2001-11-13
Seattle, WA

1 recommendation

toby to baineschile

Member

to baineschile
said by baineschile:

I have a job, AND i want welfare/government assisted child supprt/food stamps too.

Have some children, a lot of them.

We reward irresponsible actions in this country.
nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD

1 recommendation

nasadude

Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by toby:

Have some children, a lot of them.

We reward irresponsible actions in this country.

yes we do - look at the banksters that ruined the economy.

Metatron2008
You're it
Premium Member
join:2008-09-02
united state

Metatron2008 to toby

Premium Member

to toby
Getting kids cheap broadband is like subsidizing libraries. I'm sure some people can go in and yell and act like idiots, but if kids want to learn and go on and do bigger things they have their chance.

odreian615
join:2006-01-18
Chicago, IL

odreian615 to pnh102

Member

to pnh102
I knew someone who got naked DSL for the $15 promo. Now it was never advertised so I told her about it. I got the info for it off here

jap
Premium Member
join:2003-08-10
038xx

jap

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by odreian615:

I knew someone who got naked DSL for the $15 promo.

VZ used a $15-for-life deal to inflate user counts in the run-up to Fairpoint purchase. AFAIK it wasn't advertised. Word of mouth works great here in our tight network of Yankee towns. Don't know if this is where your friend lives but many people around me signed on.
jap

jap to pnh102

Premium Member

to pnh102
said by pnh102:

Comcast should have been forced to provide this price point to all of its customers, regardless of income.

I thought you were against government intervention of free markets.

Should have targeted the disabled & seniors below poverty line, and TANF recipients. Lunch program is too narrow.

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium Member
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by jap:

I thought you were against government intervention of free markets.

Vertically integrated companies with huge market shares are free market?

jap
Premium Member
join:2003-08-10
038xx

1 recommendation

jap

Premium Member

Re: All Part of the Plan

said by pnh102:

Vertically integrated companies with huge market shares are free market?

Not in my book. And they get that way how? Not by coincidence, I hope. Lack of regulatory oversight, both industry specific and freewheeling expenditures to buy-off policy makers & campaigns. These are what enables monopolistic formation, in my humble opinion.

newview
Ex .. Ex .. Exactly
Premium Member
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD

newview

Premium Member

We saw this coming ...

... but how is it the piss-poor FCC didn't?

You can pretty much count on anything Comcast agrees to as being more beneficial to them than to their subscribers or potential customers.
u3912974
join:2007-07-31
San Francisco, CA

u3912974

Member

Comcast's $10 Broadband Hard to Qualify For

They told me that I could get it before it came out. Then when the promotion came out they said that I had to have kids to get it.
john262
join:2003-09-26
Elko, NV

john262

Member

Re: Comcast's $10 Broadband Hard to Qualify For

Discrimination against childless people is apparently alive and well.

trythisfirst
@comcast.net

trythisfirst

Anon

ya

We have had people on our biggest triple play packages asking about that 10 dollar internet. They have the means to pay for everything but don't want to. All these restrictions are not so great, but due to abuse we normally encounter probably prudent.

YouHitBone
@ameritech.net

YouHitBone

Anon

Re: ya

said by trythisfirst :

We have had people on our biggest triple play packages asking about that 10 dollar internet.

Actually, they're more likely just sick to death of the ridiculous bait and switch deals (triple play is now costing me about $250/month...), or they _need_ the $10 deal because they're now poor after being milked dry by Comcast... Seriously, $250/month is $3000 per year. Are you friggin kidding me?

mod_wastrel
anonome
join:2008-03-28

mod_wastrel

Member

Hey! ...PR costs a lot of money...

unless, of course, you get the govt. and politicians to provide it for you. (And you really didn't need to be a "Comcast insider" to see this one. The only thing missing from all of their grand announcements around the country for "our wonderful new Essentials program" was the Comcast reps wearing "I'm with stupid." t-shirts.)
sonicmerlin
join:2009-05-24
Cleveland, OH

sonicmerlin

Member

Site response

Jesus read the comments on that site. Americans have turned into a pack of rabid wolves. "More handouts"? As opposed to the selfless and independent bankers and hedge fund managers?

••••

toby
Troy Mcclure
join:2001-11-13
Seattle, WA

toby

Member

yum yum yum

»www.philly.com/philly/bu ··· 61172558

mike34
Premium Member
join:2004-07-17
Central City, PA
Netgear CM500V
Asus RT-AC68

mike34

Premium Member

First hand knowledge

"can't currently have any Comcast service including basic (common even in low-income homes), and can't have had any Comcast service in the last ninety days."

Not true. I know a case where a lady had CDV and digital cable with a STB and 2 DTA's. She's fully qualified for Comcast Internet Essentials, applied for and got it without jumping through any hoops at all.

I know because I gave her a Dell laptop and a Linksys router and got it all going for her with no need for a tech visit. Her seven year old daughter is now on equal footing with her more fortunate peers.

Anyone who sees an injustice in this is entitled to their opinion.

•••••••

Gbcue
Premium Member
join:2001-09-30
Santa Rosa, CA

Gbcue

Premium Member

Caps

I bet they are low.

mike34
Premium Member
join:2004-07-17
Central City, PA
Netgear CM500V
Asus RT-AC68

mike34

Premium Member

Re: Caps

said by Gbcue:

I bet they are low.

You'd lose that bet.

You want them to be low? You hope they're low?
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

slow to fix problems..

the consumer is now reaping the seeds sown in corrupt consolidation and mergers of the content industry with the telecom industry. wireless spectrum haves and have-nots.

all throughout AT&T and Comcast's footprint there should be a 3rd carrier to compete, but that hasn't really happened yet.

newview
Ex .. Ex .. Exactly
Premium Member
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD

newview

Premium Member

Re: slow to fix problems..

said by tmc8080:

all throughout AT&T and Comcast's footprint there should be a 3rd carrier to compete, but that hasn't really happened yet.

... and it never will as long as local govn't Franchise Agreements are in effect.
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

1 edit

tmc8080

Member

Re: slow to fix problems..

said by newview:

said by tmc8080:

all throughout AT&T and Comcast's footprint there should be a 3rd carrier to compete, but that hasn't really happened yet.

... and it never will as long as local govn't Franchise Agreements are in effect.

this will be a new steamroller (REFORM) for data services to extend the INTERNET sales to the wireless spectrum which has a mixed history of charging "TAXES and UNFEES" to wireless data.
UnnDunn
Premium Member
join:2005-12-21
Brooklyn, NY

UnnDunn

Premium Member

Why don't Comcast offer this anyway?

I'm not entirely sure why Comcast doesn't offer a program like this anyway, as a way to further compete with low-cost DSL or dial-up ISPs (yes, they still exist.)

IowaCowboy
Lost in the Supermarket
Premium Member
join:2010-10-16
Springfield, MA

IowaCowboy

Premium Member

Trouble Calls

Click for full size
Drop line
Not to mention the countless trouble calls for issues ranging from dropped connections to bad wiring. I had to have my underground drop line replaced a couple of years ago and that involved the use of a contractor. I have the triple play on a promotional discount. I have also had countless service calls relating to dropped connections and data/voice services going offline. A tech in this area gets $18 dollars an hour (I interviewed for a tech position once) plus the cost of his truck, fuel, tools, supplies, liability insurance, workers comp coverage, and other costs. Comcast foots this as a cost of doing business which is recovered through subscriber fees. I could not even begin to estimate the cost of a single truck roll to a subscriber; especially when it takes 6 separate techs to pinpoint the problem (like I dealt with last Spring). Replacing an underground line probably costs the company minimum of $500 and can go up from there. It takes time for the company to recoup their investment and if they sell internet for $10 per month, then it will be the other subscribers paying full price to subsidize their tech support. My neighbor is a former tech and there is a low income housing complex around a couple of blocks away from where I live (I live in market rate housing) and their cable comes in underground as they are townhouse style housing. My neighbor used to do installs there and they had no issues buying premium packages (like HBO, Showtime, pro wrestling, etc). Some of these parents put their own interests ahead of their children's and buy things like lobster dinners with a month's worth of food stamps while their children are starving.

Servicing underground lines can get expensive and at $10 per month, they'll never recoup the costs of replacing an underground line. When mine was replaced, they cut corners and pulled it through the dirt to behind the duplex instead of pulling it through the conduit to the front of the house (which would have entailed going under a driveway and a walkway and there is a conduit that goes through a concrete porch). The way they did it makes it susceptible to damage from a lawn mower, weed eater, or other lawn tool.
rody_44
Premium Member
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA

1 edit

rody_44

Premium Member

FWIW

Comcast was always upfront about what the qualifications would be. Its not like they added these stipulations later. I fail to see any issues when they were upfront from the word go what the stipulations would be. You all need to go back and read the original proposal. None of this is new and it was always about low income kids not low income people. All these terms were clearly spelled out from the beginning.

Snowy
Lock him up!!!
Premium Member
join:2003-04-05
Kailua, HI

Snowy

Premium Member

The numbers

"Update: Comcast sent us the following statement about the program, and while it notes that Comcast is eager to make improvements, it doesn't really address the plan's seemingly-intentional qualification hurdles:

We said we would offer Internet Essentials for at least three full academic years and then decide what to do going forward. During that time, if a family qualifies, then they can continue to keep the service as long as at least one child in the home receives a free lunch via the NSLP. So, theoretically, if you had an eight year old and a newborn baby and signed up this year (2011) and assuming the family remains eligible as that baby grows up and then graduates from high school, then the family could keep the service for the next 18 years (2029).

We have printed and mailed more than 11 million brochures, reached out to more than 4,000 school districts with more than 30,000 schools. We’ve hosted hundreds of digital literacy training programs with major non-profit partners all across the country. We’ve launched the service in 39 states plus D.C. and made announcements with state governors, congressional representatives, superintendents, principals, teachers and non-profit leaders – not to mention the joint announcement we made in D.C. with FCC Chairman Genachowski. We’ve run radio and print ads in community papers across the country. And we’ve done the vast majority of all that work since Labor Day. We know we have more work to do, but we’re really just getting started."

hmm, so how many applicant families have been rejected to date & how many have been accepted?
dubenezic
join:2004-05-06
Elizabeth, NJ

dubenezic

Member

They can go to the library

If low income people can't afford internet, they can go to a library.

LJPA
@comcast.net

LJPA

Anon

Re: They can go to the library

Except when they can't.

»latimesblogs.latimes.com ··· ies.html

mike34
Premium Member
join:2004-07-17
Central City, PA
Netgear CM500V
Asus RT-AC68

mike34 to dubenezic

Premium Member

to dubenezic
said by dubenezic:

If low income people can't afford internet, they can go to a library.

Careful. Libraries are publicly funded. Wouldn't want your tax dollars to help someone, now would you?
tacticalbfr
join:2009-11-13

tacticalbfr

Member

Comcast's $10 Broadband

Speed of 1.5 Mbps means you may actually get 750 to 912 max. Hardly enough to load a news video let alone take full advantage of what the www has to offer.

MacBridger
Late to the party
Premium Member
join:2001-01-11
Morgantown, WV

MacBridger

Premium Member

Seriously?

How many of you that are complaining about welfare make $1 million a year or more? Did you realize that our middle class is the smallest it's ever been? Did you know that the US has the 3rd largest gap between median middle class and wealthy IN THE WORLD. That means that the wealth of the US is consolidating in a few people. You may be middle class now, but for how long? And you're complaining about people who work for minimum wage getting a slow speed cable service so their kids can have internet access for school work?

Do any of you whiners even have kids? My 9 year-old has internet assignments at least once a week for school. Many of her classmates don't even have computer access at home, because their parents can't afford it. People can't even afford to live and you're worried because someone may get the most basic of internet service for a "reduced" cost? Grow up.

Solearth
join:2009-10-21
Lubbock, TX

Solearth

Member

Re: Seriously?

"... My 9 year-old has internet assignments at least once a week for school. Many of her classmates don't even have computer access at home, because their parents can't afford it...."

If a school is mandating a computer exclusive assignment, then that school should be prepared to broadcast sufficient wifi throughout the range of residency that such school serves. Or at the very least, a sufficiently equipped and supervised computer lab should be available from 7AM until 8PM for all students of that school. Additional commute expenses and dangers are eliminated if they are already on the campus before or after school
Such elementary school teacher that mandated an internet exclusive assignment, without making sure that the school's internet computers were adequate in quality and quantity to accomplish all required tasks, could render the school (and the teacher) defendants of discrimination & unfunded mandate lawsuits. Instead of paying off such large claims, or broadcasting high power wifi, the school may be able to obtain bulk rate service from a wireless carrier (eg clearwire) and provide a wireless router to each and every parent, and if necessary, used computers for those who don't have one. The bulk service speed could be capped at 125kbps, thus a reasonable expense (probably only $5.00 per month per router). After all, young kids don't need high bandwidth to accomplish regular school tasks. The kids could still watch occasional Youtube videos, if they allow the clip to buffer for a while.
To repeat, if internet is required to earn high grades, then it is the responsibility of the school to provide ALL necessary tools and materials for the child to accomplish the tasks mandated by the teachers. After all, the schools receive THOUSANDS of taxpayer dollars for each student, for roughly 180 days of classes. They should spend a few bucks of that money on providing necessary off campus services, instead of upgrading football fields.
Schools in which computer classes are optional (Middle & High School) would be exempt from providing wireless internet because the assignment is not from a mandated class.

MacBridger
Late to the party
Premium Member
join:2001-01-11
Morgantown, WV

MacBridger

Premium Member

Re: Seriously?

So businesses should not offer a discount for impoverished school children because the school should do it? So my annual 20% property taxes should go up to the point where my family is homeless? My property taxes are already greater than my mortgage, and trust me, they're not spending money on Football fields.

Did you even consider the cost of deploying your plan in a rural school district? How much would it cost to deploy WIFI/CABLE/FIBER where it doesn't exist? Broadband, despite progress in penetration over the last few years, is still not universally available. A school is not in the BUSINESS of providing internet.
outback2k1
join:2003-11-28
Seekonk, MA

outback2k1

Member

omgroflmao

all these comments about cheap internet being a form of welfare are hysterical.

FYI, Verizon already offers 1mbit service to anyone with a phone line for 14.99/month.

Enjoy your overpriced POS internet, Comcast lovers.
rody_44
Premium Member
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA

rody_44

Premium Member

Re: omgroflmao

loL Now thats bullshit in premium. Verizon does not offer anyone with a phone line internet. Verizon doesnt even have internet available to everyone let alone internet for 14,99 a month.
rfrooney
join:2006-02-26
Antioch, TN

rfrooney

Member

Why is everyone so surprised?

Comcrap found a way to get what they wanted and screw the public at the same time. The FCC bent over and kissed Comcrap's ass in the process. It is business as usual in Washington. I am surprised that anyone thought that Comcrap or the FCC would actually keep their word.

jlibuszowski
Premium Member
join:2005-10-25
Hoffman Estates, IL

jlibuszowski

Premium Member

Low Income Cable Isn't Working in US

/\ /\ Pretty much. That said, low income families probably should be using services at local libraries,ect. Instead of trying to get every home in the US connected. I am sorry money would be much better spent on providing free WIFI or WISP services to these areas of the city. I mean, lets look at programs like the $99 computer »one.laptop.org and think how the US could really give back to these communities.

I know many teachers in the Chicago area, some are very fortunate to teach at private College Prep schools, while others are just trying to get through the day, get kids to school without getting SHOT and dealing with family problems and society issues that most executives at Comcast or the FCC could not even fathom or choose to ignore. Now that is NOT to say Comcast does not care about communities or these programs are not a step in the right direction, I think it's FANTASTIC . What I have trouble with is, as many have pointed out, is how effective these programs really are. And the BS Political spin by the lobby groups that the Telecom/cable industry hires.
page: 1 · 2 · next