Windows 10: FCC proposing monthly broadband subsidies for low-income households

Many countries (in Europe anyway) see internet access as a human right. Both in Hungary and France I know from experience that you can get cheaper internet if your income is very low for whatever reason. In some other countries (Lithuania I think but I never lived there) it is free.

I don't mean to start any political debate but it seems a nice idea to me.

At the moment I pay €22 a month for unlimited fibre (including free VIOP phone and TV) which is OK for me. Seems it is really expensive in the US - I guess because it is so big and the infrastructure cost would be huge.

 

I think it's a great idea that more people will or should have access to the internet. Especially young people in school so they can advance their education and get a head in life. And given the services that are now available on the net it makes it easier for people to get things done.. gov paperwork etc.

 

Exactly so Sir - I wish I could give you a thumbs up for that..

Again I don't know about the US but here in Europe for many things (tax returns, residency permits) you are almost compelled to do on-line as turning up in person or sending a letter is at best impractical.

 

You can do tax returns.. SS,. Medicare.. and state things like licenses. It's really convenient to the option of having to go to each state office to get the work done.

 

Well then (at the risk of sounding like a socialist) the poor, the disabled and aged (assuming they don't have enough money) should be given free internet.

Probably against forum rules to suggest such a thing but if the state insists on such a thing then it should be paid for.

My brother in law (who is unemployed) comes around only once a month so he can call the government to update his status as "still unemployed" as my phone is free for him.

I think I'm going off on a tangent though - free internet for everyone would be good. Apparently Finland was the first country to do that - Internet in Finland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia @Kari might know if it is true.

 

The states don't insist on this. It is a choice. I'm not sure about renewing drivers license online. I know to renew my drivers license I need at least one primary document, at least one secondary document, a verifiable Social Security number, proof of address and a occasional updated photo for my license. Not the same thing but the federal government does insist on direct deposit instead of mailing checks. I'm not sure if this includes tax refunds because I haven't had a tax refund in years.

 

I have ATT 18 Gbps FTTN VDSL U-Verse broadband ( Internet only ) on the left coast ,it's $64.00 a month including the ~$6 or $8.00 mo. RGW equipment fee and on FTTN VDSL U-Verse you can't usually buy your own Modem /RGW and if you do they charge you for it anyway and won't support it .*Mad

The speeds vary depending on how many devices are being used but if I'm the only one on it can hit 17-18Gbps consistently or support 2 1080p YT, Netflix ,Vudu or Amazon video streams and a PC on it's own Wi Fi at the same time with the VRAD being nearby I have the 3801 RGW .

OTOH with my new 4K Sony XBR HDR TV I'm thinking I Might need a bandwidth bump eventually when more 4K - 4K HDR content is out there .I'm not thinking Dish TV will be moving to 4K /4K HDR soon even though they have 4K Hopper STB's now and OTA........ fugget about it for a good while !

 

You must lease the AT&T modem RGW on FTTN /FTTH U- Verse now . POTS line straight DSL ( if they still have it in a given area) may still be either way .

On ATT U-Verse even if you have your own RGW gateway they charge you anyway . The $ 25.00 mo. 25 Mbps U-Verse is only for 12 mos. w/ qualifying service + tax ,etc and the mo. RGW fee and turns into at maybe 74.00 a mo. when the promotion period expires. The qualifying service for the 12 mo. promotion discount price is probably double play or triple play bundle also.


OP might be able to ultimately get 3 Mbps (Internet only ) service for maybe ~ $ 49.00 total *when the 12 mo. promo price ends* .http://www.attsavings.com/internet.h...FdKIfgod6jEIKQ

I have 18 Gbps AT&T Internet only FTTN U -Verse and it's all total $64.00 here .*Zip



Nothing much competitive or a particularly good bargain here with AT&T aside from the fact they aren't enforcing existing data caps on Residential broadband (for now .)

Now that they bought Direct TV they will be the Comcast of the SKY ☻

 

We cancel the service each Mai when we go to Europe. In November when we are back we restart as new custoners and enjoy their promotion package for $19.95. I think we have done that for the last 18 years - not 100% sure because the wife (who is not here right now) does those minor tasks, LOL.

 

Sure that could work fine ...presumably you are abroad least 3 mo. at a time so you can do that *Smile

 

We are abroad 6 months each year - since 18 years.

 

cool it must keep things interesting *Biggrin

 

I was talking about their economy internet basic service. That did cost $19.99 with landline or $25.00 without landline, plus in Indiana you pay for $100 modem and you get to keep it. From what I read the $19.99 or $25.00 is not a special. The price of the Economy service may have gone up since the last time I checked. You got to watch it when ordering, they will put the special in, you just have to remove it and select the cheaper package. The speed is 3 Gbps or less.

 

It is nice but also expensive to upkeep 2 households. And each time we come to the 'other' home we have 4 weeks of work before everything is routine again. The good part is that the Florida weather beats the German weather during the winter. For everything else we would be better off in Germany. Living in the US is not really attractive for us.

 

Hi there.

Good deals can usually be had wherever you are - provided there's at least 2 or more providers -- my experience is that people particularly in developed W.European countries are afraid to bargain -- the worst that can happen is they say No but usually you can hobble a deal of some sort.

The worst parts of a lot of "Cheap" Broadband deals is the REDICULOUS requirement that you often have to have "Line Rental" and that is usually more expensive than the wretched Broadband package - even though you absolutely don't need or want it any more -- (I can't think how long ago it was when I actually used a Phone with a cord hanging on to the handset !!! - or even a phone with a handset).

A bit like Insurance companies insuring your house being struck by a plane or your mobile phone company offering 10,000 Free texts per month etc etc.

The prices could be made really low to ALL households if the Line Rental requirement was removed.

Cheers
jimbo