Finally, some good news from the government. The
New York Times just reported that the
FCC/Federal Communications Commission has voted to subsidize low cost
broadband internet for Americans who may not otherwise be able to afford it. Rebecca Ruiz reports:
The plan, introduced last month by the agency’s Democratic chairman, Tom Wheeler, helps pave the way for sweeping changes to a $1.7 billion phone subsidy program.
Republicans have opposed extending the phone subsidy — known as Lifeline and initiated in 1985 under President Reagan — pointing to past instances of fraud in the program and suggesting that any expansion would generate more fraud. On Thursday, the two Republican commissioners delivered strongly-worded dissents.
The Republican dissent surprised Chairman Wheeler, but he expressed pride in voting with the majority. The plan is expected to go into effect this summer and will allow eligible households to receive a subsidy of $9.25 per month. Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democratic commissioner, brought up one very key reason why less advantaged citizens need to have more available online access - education:
“Students who lack regular broadband access are struggling to keep up,” she said, noting that as many as 7 in 10 teachers assign homework that requires online connectivity. “Now is not a moment too soon, because this is about the future.”
In addition to helping students with education, this plan will benefit many nationwide who have not had affordable Internet access at home, or at all. They will no longer feel left out, watching the rest of the world move forward with today's new technology. Another great aspect of this plan is it will also allow many differently-abled/disabled Americans the chance to work from home for the first time, given the many diverse online job opportunities. It's good news all around from a government, where good news seems to be a rare thing. Perhaps as the upcoming 2016 presidential elections approach, Republicans will be more apt to push for a better America, rather than continue to obstruct those chances as they have been doing since taking the 2010 majority in Congress. For that we'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, this is a positive step for the country, and a reason to celebrate, at least, until the final victory comes when free Internet will become available to all people. And won't that be something.
To read the full story: NewYorkTimes.com