Posted on 05/30/2015 4:30:57 AM PDT by HomerBohn
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to present a new proposal that would extend subsidies to low-income Americans who want to get online.
The five-member commission, which is directed by three Democrats and two Republicans, intends to expand the current “Lifeline” program, which subsidizes income-eligible residents’ cellphone bills, to also encompass billing for Internet service.
The plan dovetails philosophically with the FCC’s recent net neutrality proposal, which regards the Internet not as a luxury but as a necessity. By elevating it to a utility, the commission can argue that low-income Americans who can’t afford to pay for Internet access are being denied access to an indispensable service.
The FCC’s Democratic majority backs the plan, while its two Republican members generally oppose it.
“[T]here is a legitimate debate whether the Lifeline program should be abolished or significantly scaled back rather than expanding its mission,” Republican commissioner Michael O’Rielly wrote recently. “I would be open to having a thoughtful debate on the best way to address a perceived need in this communications area rather than bootstrapping the old program with new responsibilities.”
While O’Rielly wrote those words before the current plan to expand Lifeline was made public, it’s clear that the two ideologies within the FCC are at odds over the proposal.
“Democratic FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, a strong advocate of expanding Lifeline subsidies to Internet service, said it simply recognizes the reality of how people communicate today,” Politico reported Thursday.
“In a nod to criticism of the program’s history of abuses, however, Clyburn wants to make some changes. Phone providers have long had the role of determining who qualifies for the subsidies — an arrangement that’s been at the root of many of the problems. Clyburn wants to set up a different system, in which a person eligible for food stamps or free school lunches automatically qualifies for Lifeline.”
That, though, sounds like the opposite of reform.
Lifeline, begun as a landline subsidy in 1985 but greatly expanded to encompass cellphones in 2005, is funded by a fee added to consumers’ phone bills.
The current plan could come up for a vote at the FCC’s June 18 meeting.
This seems like a financial win for internet providers....
Ah, but simple broadband ‘access’ will only suffice for so long. Surely, the less-fortunate can’t be denied the ‘right’ to free Netflix and other premium streaming services, can they?
Where does it end, liberals?
Control the single largest conduit of information and you control the people.
Whatever the government subsidizes will cost more.
Rent subsidies benefit landlords.
“Where does it end, liberals?”
When we are back to using sticks to pound on hollow logs or smoke signals. “State of the art” technology will be homing pigeons if there are any left. Flint knappers will be in great demand. I plan to specialize in making shafts for arrows and maybe expand into bowmaking later on. I’m also thinking of getting into making fish traps out of wild grapevines. Gotta move with the times you know.
You and I are going to be paying for these Obama voters getting free hi-speed internet. Look at your cable TV and internet bills and check out all the fees and taxes on it. Most are Federal. Connectivity taxes etc etc
Off the top of my head I think the Federal Government is getting 4-5$ a month from me. This will increase and be used to get lazy ass Obama supporters free or virtually free internet from Comcast etc. In fcat there are already programs for this>>>>>>>>>
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About Internet Essentials from Comcast
Updated on March 19, 2015 at 1:22 PM
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Introduction
Internet Essentials from Comcast offers low-cost Internet service, computer equipment and free digital literacy training to families with at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program.
Bringing more families online:
As the nation’s leading Internet provider, we want to help make the Internet more accessible to more people. That’s why we’re pleased to introduce Internet Essentials, a program designed to help increase broadband adoption.
Comcast agreed to offer Internet Essentials starting in the 2011–2012 school year. Internet Essentials is only available to new XFINITY Internet customers who have at least one child who is eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
Internet Essentials Includes:
Fast home Internet for just $9.95 a month + tax
No activation fees and no equipment rental fees
Optional computer available at initial enrollment for just $149.99 + tax
Access to free Internet training – online, in print and in person
Internet Essentials is available in all areas where Comcast offers Internet service. For additional information about Internet Essentials, including program eligibility criteria, please visit www.internetessentials.com or www.internetbasico.com.
YOU ARE PAYING FOR THIS COMCAST DEAL>>>>>>>>
COMCAST
Internet Essentials costs just $9.95 a month and delivers a blazing fast 5.0 Mbps download speed. Qualifying families will even be able to purchase a computer for only $149.99. There are no activation fees and no additional equipment fees.
You also get the world famous Norton Security Suite which gives you professional online security. It’s a $160 value, but you get it absolutely free.
And finally, Internet Essentials gives you free parental control features to help protect your kids whether they’re doing their schoolwork or just playing on the internet.
How to qualify for Internet Essentials
To qualify for Internet Essentials and get a low-cost computer and high-speed internet access for just $9.95 per month, a family must have at least one child eligible to receive a reduced or free school lunch through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) (recently broadened to include students in private schools, parochial schools and homeschooled students). Schools designated at “Provision 2” automatically qualify all
Subsidized broadband huh?
As a barracks mate used to protest; nicht (nix), nein, no, hell no, f**k no and uh-uh too !
What, it takes to long for their porn to download?
They can’t watch streaming video of the latest sports extravaganza with out broadband?
Screw these verkakte parasites; go suck some else’s blood, the safety net’s not a god d*mned hammock.
These leeches use our taxes to make a career of indolence.
They enjoy the luxuries because we pay for their necessities whilst they make an industry of subsidized bastardy.
Root hog or die; you want it, work for it.
to=too, with out=without, arrrgh!
An agency gave itself authority to regulate something and now that agency imposes a tax. Time to abolish the FCC.
Bread & circuses? PORN! That is what these men who don’t want to work will want to see.
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