FCC Votes To Subsidize Broadband Connections For Low-Income Households

Mark Wilson writes: Today the FCC voted in favor of updating its Lifeline program to include broadband. This would mean that households surviving on low incomes would be able to receive help paying for a broadband connection. It might not be as important as electricity or water, but having a broadband connection is seen as being all but essential these days. From helping with education and job hunting, to allowing for home working, the ability to get online is seen as so vital by some that there have been calls for it to be classed as a utility. The Lifeline program has been running since the 80s, and originally provided financial help to those struggling to pay for a phone line. It was expanded in 2008 to include wireless providers, and it is hoped that this third expansion will help more people to get online.

Comments

I don't see the downside of this

[damn_registrars]

It appears the subsidy would help pay for it, but not make it free or mandatory. If the people who persue the subsidy can meet somehwere in the middle on the cost of broadband they probably have some sense to themselves economically and likely are at least marginally techincally competent.

This may even lead more companies to try to compete in the market of providing broadband to low-income areas, which would be a good thing as well.

Re:I don't see the downside of this

[ColdWetDog]

Hell, I'd like Broadband and I'm willing to pay for it.

Re:I don't see the downside of this

[mrchaotica]

Seattle is a special case: apparently, your Internet access is fucked up because you keep electing shitty city councilpeople who make rules that ISPs hate. You should quit doing that.

Re:I'm poor and I'm against this

[WiiVault]

Really? Cuz I guarantee you the people who oppose this are not looking out for you and are protecting their own interests. Why not afford yourself the same treatment?

Re:Do they ever follow up?

[Ionized]

in at least some cases the cost of following up is greater than the amount saved by booting those that abuse the system. see: drug testing for welfare recipients

so, is the money actually what's important to you? or are you just a hardass that can't stand to see someone get something for free on principle?

The downside is taxpayers...

[Anonymous Coward]

...subsidizing a non-essential good for other people.

The downside is the federal government sticking its nose into something that's none of its business, in defiance of the 10th Amendment.

Re:The downside is taxpayers...

[knightghost]

Spoken like a true Anonymous Coward.

Internet access is nearly as important as electricity in our modern age. I'd place it as more important than phones. A phone can call a friend... the internet shows you the world.

Re:The downside is taxpayers...

[aristotle-dude]

Spoken like a true Anonymous Coward.

Internet access is nearly as important as electricity in our modern age. I'd place it as more important than phones. A phone can call a friend... the internet shows you the world.

If you feel that way, volunteer your own money. You seem to be a spendthrift when it comes to using other people's money.

Re:The downside is taxpayers...

[nbauman]

Spoken like a true Anonymous Coward.

Internet access is nearly as important as electricity in our modern age. I'd place it as more important than phones. A phone can call a friend... the internet shows you the world.

If you feel that way, volunteer your own money. You seem to be a spendthrift when it comes to using other people's money.

If you want to invade Iraq, volunteer your own money. If you want to bail out banks, volunteer your own money. If you want to stop and frisk black people, volunteer your own money. If you want to drive on highways, volunteer your own money. If you want to create the Internet, volunteer your own money.

Re:The downside is taxpayers...

[Fwipp]

Because, as amazing as Basic Income would be, the outrage would be tremendous if anyone got close to passing it.

It's the best solution, but in today's political climate and for the forseeable future, it's a total non-starter.

(Also, the FCC isn't really the agency that's able to give poor people cash directly).

Re:The downside is taxpayers...

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe you believe that the "social compact" requires some, most likely not you, to have their money taken and then given to what YOU believe in. Since this "social compact" is not law, how about we just go with the Constitution. And if YOU wish to be charitable and donate broadband access to people, you do that. My funds earmarked for charity will go elsewhere.

Re:The downside is taxpayers...

[Bengie]

Maybe you should move instead of complaining.

beta 2

[bloodhawk]

So is this new retarded fucking share button on Slashdot BETA 2. FIRE YOUR DESIGNERS Slashdot and find someone with half a fucking clue.

Sure, no downside

[frovingslosh]

Lets not stop there. After we give the low income their free porn and Xbox connections, lets keep taking money from those that have it and give it to those who want it for other things too, No downside there, after all, the supply of money to give away is infinite. We can never run out. And we don't have to worry about America's crumbling infrastructure. Once we realize that that is really a problem we can take more money from those who have it. We can just keep taking and giving.

Of course, a slight negative, but not really a downside is that the truly rich can afford lawyers and accountants and even politicians to help them keep their money, and maybe even get some more for not growing something or some other cute tax dodge. But no problem, we can just squeeze more taxes and "fees" from those not making as much and trying to feed and raise their family. And great news for them, by the time we are done they will be eligible for free Internet too, although they may be more focused on just staying alive than on using that government benefit.

meh

[argStyopa]

I'm not entirely sure any of the stated goals *requires* broadband.
One can easily job-hunt on the web at 1meg.