The Internet in 2015 is a necessity, and those who don't have it are at a catastrophic disadvantage when it comes to jobs and education. Time is money, don't forget, and while critics of a plan announced today will say "go to the library" or similarly ignorant things, the economic impact of missing out on the Internets many, many conveniences is noticeable.
That's why President Barack Obama, Google and a group of Internet service providers unveiled a plan to bring free or extremely discounted Internet service to 275,000 low-income American families. They hope to eventually expand the program, called ConnectHome, to many more of the millions of people who still don't have access.
ConnectHome will first arrive in 27 cities across the country. Among them are Atlanta, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Newark, New Orleans and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
"In this digital age, when you can apply for a job, take a course, pay your bills ... with a tap of your phone, the Internet is not a luxury," Obama said of the plan, according to ABC News.
As part of the program, Google Fiber will offer free service in Atlanta, Durham, Kansas City, and Nashville. Cox will offer broadband for $9.99 a month to families in cities places such as Macon, Georgia, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and New Orleans, The Verge reports.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, will also require that any new public housing projects built will be set up to handle broadband Internet access.
