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AT&T offering $5 internet to low-income families (under deal with FCC)
CNN ^ | April 22, 2016 | Heather Kelly

Posted on 05/02/2016 9:12:07 AM PDT by reaganaut1

Any home where at least one person receives food stamps will be eligible for the new program, called Access from AT&T.

The offering is part of an agreement AT&T (T, Tech30) made with the FCC as part of last year's DirectTV merger and will be available until 2020. The company is the latest to offer discounted internet to low-income households in the United States, joining Comcast (CCV), Google Fiber, and some local government and nonprofit.

These programs help close the so-called "digital divide" for families who would otherwise be forced to rely on school connections or cell phones. A lack of reliable internet access can have countless negative implications, including for students who need it to complete homework and adults who are searching for jobs.

In March, the FCC voted to expand its Lifeline program and add a $9.25 subsidy that could go toward broadband internet for low-income households. Another government initiative called ConnectALL wants to bring internet access to 20 million homes by 2020.

Access from AT&T will offer 3Mbps connections for $5 a month, and faster 5Mbps or 10Mbps connections for $10 a month. All installation and equipment fees will also be waived. People don't actually get to choose their speed, they'll automatically be assigned the fastest available where they live.

(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: att; comcast; fcc; foodstamps; googlefiber; internet; internetaccess; lifeline; lowincome; obamanet; welfare
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To: rockinqsranch

“Last week received notification from AT & T of price hike. “

Workmen have been in our neighborhood for the last several weeks laying underground fiber cable. While they did a decent job in my yard, many other yards have really been chewed up. People are pissed.

If Time Warner or Google want fiber optic in our hood...they’re gonna do the same thing.

I personally hate ATT, and would never sign up with them.


21 posted on 05/02/2016 10:38:02 AM PDT by moovova
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To: Cowboy Bob

The shareholders are not going to pay for this ATT paying customers will pay with higher rates. Just like my insurance cost skyrocketed to pay for “free” health insurance, I’m sure my ATT bill will now go up.


22 posted on 05/02/2016 10:55:55 AM PDT by redangus
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To: Vinnie

after cutting a few channels got the bill down to about what I’ve been paying for several years.
Just got this month’s bill, jumped $50. calling in a couple minutes.

**********************************************************

It’s not just AT&T, they all work that way. That’s why they have a security guard at my local Verizon store, people are irate, tired of being lied to by these bastards.


23 posted on 05/02/2016 11:03:01 AM PDT by Graybeard58
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To: reaganaut1

This born in US citizen from parents & grandparents born in US has to pay AT&T $50+ for what moochers and illegals will have to pay for Internet. Obama’s [and Ms Klintoon] government is sticking it to we working, legal citizens.


24 posted on 05/02/2016 11:13:34 AM PDT by RicocheT (Only a few prefer liberty--the majority seek nothing more than fair masters. Sallust, Histories)
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To: Graybeard58

#23 When I walked into the Timewarner building near where I live to drop off my cable box for the last time I noticed a security guard that in past visits (to replace equipment) had not been there. When I cancelled the account the clerk did not even question me I was doing so as it was $141.88
Maybe they may had an incident in the past with irate customers......
BTW I have not missed the big bill nor the cable tv as for $20 you can get Sling tv (use with a ROKU box) with many of the cable channels you paid over $100 for.


25 posted on 05/02/2016 11:34:13 AM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: reaganaut1

They raised my ‘data plan’ by exactly $5.00.

Go figure.


26 posted on 05/02/2016 11:53:02 AM PDT by Terry L Smith
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To: Vinnie

We didn’t want the U-verse TV, but to get the wireless internet connection we were compelled to buy their basic TV plan.

They have relentlessly tried to get us to click the button, and start their meters running on television, but everything they have to offer we think is crap (and we are cheapskates), so we don’t click the button.

Now they want to jack us up on the internet price, so they are counting our gig usage, and going to charge us for anything over 50. Could be as much as $30.00 a month, but don’t know really due the usual sketchy way they write the rules.


27 posted on 05/02/2016 12:12:58 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists Call 'em what you will, they all have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: rockinqsranch
Last week received notification from AT & T of price hike. Now we know more of the why.

Where i am in MA Verizon charges 30.00 for 7mbps, if coupled with nationwide calling plan (no TV), for a total of abut 80.00 with taxes. Comcast is the only alternative but much more expensive after the 6 month deal.

28 posted on 05/02/2016 12:20:53 PM PDT by daniel1212 ( Turn to the Lord Jesus as a damned and destitute sinner+ trust Him to save you, then follow Him!)
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To: reaganaut1
...discounted internet to low-income households in the United States, joining Comcast (CCV)...Comcast raises it's fees every year - $6 alone last January - forced charitable contributions are not the American way - at least they weren't in the ancient past.....
29 posted on 05/02/2016 9:27:47 PM PDT by Intolerant in NJ
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To: Intolerant in NJ

Forced charitable contributions = Reparations. That’s what this really is. And rewarding the criminal underclass is good for them, always.


30 posted on 05/02/2016 10:18:49 PM PDT by Dirt for sale
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