F.C.C. Chief Seeks Broadband Plan to Aid the Poor

NYTimes ^ | May 28, 2015 | REBECCA R. RUIZ

[PROCON]

For 30 years, the federal government has helped millions of low-income Americans pay their phone bills, saying that telephone service is critical to summoning medical help, seeking work and, ultimately, climbing out of poverty. Now, the nation’s top communications regulator will propose offering those same people subsidized access to broadband Internet.

On Thursday, that regulator, Tom Wheeler, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, will circulate a plan to his fellow commissioners suggesting sweeping changes to a $1.7 billion subsidy program charged with ensuring that all Americans have affordable access to advanced telecommunications services, according to senior agency officials.

The effort is the F.C.C.’s strongest recognition yet that high-speed Internet access is as essential to economic well-being as good transportation and telephone service. Mr. Wheeler will propose potentially giving recipients a choice of phone service, Internet service or a mix of both, the officials said. He will also suggest new measures to curb fraud, a source of criticism in recent years.

[PROCON]

Let's see, (read-read-read-read-read)

Oh, yeah, I see it right here in the Declaration of Independence:

The Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Free Broadband and Happiness.

Yup, right there..........NEXT!.......Sheesh

[Reno89519]

Obama Phones II. Maybe wireless iPads.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Here in Jacksonville the local ABC station carried the story and had an online poll as to whether we in favor of broadband for the homeless on our dime.
So you can bet i freeped that sucker...it was 92% saying no way!
Freegards
LEX

[knarf]

"For 30 years, the federal government has helped millions of low-income Americans pay their phone bills, saying that telephone service is critical to summoning medical help, seeking work and, ultimately, climbing out of poverty."

And after 30 years .... what ?

No one's working, no one's out of poverty and no one pays their phone bill

Worse ... telling the FCC to pound sand means absolutely nothing ... hitler's in charge

VALKYRIE !!!

[BenLurkin]

the federal government has helped millions of low-income Americans pay their phone bills

The Federal Government is WAY too generous -- with MY money.

[BitWielder1]

The poor will get free Internet, those who are not eligible for free Internet will pay double or more.

[Political Junkie Too]

Another reason for the poor to stay at home instead of going to work to pay for that internet service.

-PJ

[bakeneko]

Being able to watch Lisa Ann screw some black dude in Hi-Def is essential to their path out of poverty.

[Bigg Red]

For 30 years, the federal government has helped millions of low-income Americans pay their phone bills, saying that telephone service is critical to summoning medical help, seeking work and, ultimately, climbing out of poverty.

***
Yeah, and how’s that workin’ out for ya?

[dfwgator]

For 30 years, the federal government has helped millions of low-income Americans pay their phone bills, saying that telephone service is critical to summoning medical help, seeking work and, ultimately, climbing out of poverty.

And then illegals get the jobs, anyway.

[Vendome]

The poor can afford a library card and Iphones.

They can pay for their own internet...

[clearcarbon]

People living on the edge of poverty will be expected to subsidize free internet service for those who have already been pushed over the edge. That will help make internet service unaffordable for even more people.

[Red_Devil 232]

Comcast cable offers a special rate for internet service for those who get special low rates for school lunch programs - lots of ads for this on TV all the time. I know I must be paying for this for these “special people” in my cable bill every month.

[Rastus]

People in the Twilight Zone watch a show called Obama’s America.