The FCC is stopping 9 companies from providing federally subsidized Internet to the poor

[octoberlib]

By Brian Fung February 3 at 4:30 PM


Regulators are telling nine companies they won't be allowed to participate in a federal program meant to help them provide affordable Internet access to low-income consumers — weeks after those companies had been given the green light.

The move, announced Friday by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, reverses a decision by his Democratic predecessor, Tom Wheeler, and undercuts the companies' ability to provide low-cost Internet access to poorer Americans. In a statement, Pai called the initial decisions a form of “midnight regulation.”

“These last-minute actions, which did not enjoy the support of the majority of commissioners at the time they were taken, should not bind us going forward,” he said.

The program, known as Lifeline, provides registered households with a $9.25-a-month credit, which can then be used to buy home Internet service. As many as 13 million Americans may be eligible for Lifeline that do not have broadband service at home, the FCC has found. Roughly 900 service providers participate in the Lifeline program.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/02/03/the-fcc-is-stopping-9-companies-from-providing-subsidized-broadband-to-the-poor/?utm_term=.0f1d31afaaed

[Botany]

1. Got to keep the poor dumb so they will vote republican

Last edited Fri Feb 3, 2017, 09:14 PM - Edit history (1)

If anybody took offense from my post I'm sorry. I did not mean to insult
people who are struggling. I have been there.

[2naSalit]

2. +1

[putitinD]

3. +1

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. More like keep voter registration info away from the poor to suppress their vote. (Just a start) .nt

[BSdetect]

4. If they were all deplorables I would not give a shit but

its likely 50 - 50.

[jodymarie aimee]

5. Please do not call the poor elderly and disabled dumb

65, disabled and SSDI of $10grand a year. I have no auto nor cell phone. A landline AT&T $20 a month. Yesterday I got a letter telling me they cannot give me a monthly disabled discount any longer and my PHONE bill may double. Now I know why. I am debating not having any phone. Please understand $40 to you is like $280 to me. I get no discount for internet, pay full price to my provider. This will devastate alot of us. Guess AT&T is not rich enough.

[NCTraveler]

12. Most are referencing it as the well known republican tactic that it is.

It is know that they have made strategic decisions in the past to limit access to enhanced education and educational tools. To say that taking Internet from those who cannot afford it, and should have access to these subsidies, is a strategy that keeps people less educated. It's not about conservatism and cutting costs.

That is how most of the "keeping them dumb" comments are worded. There are a few that go beyond that. Those are offensive and shouldn't be part of a progressive community. It is the minority that lean that direction.

[jodymarie aimee]

6. p.s.

just read over the comments. SHAME ON YOU.

[bathroommonkey76]

10. I'm sorry you've been affected by this.

Last edited Sat Feb 4, 2017, 04:03 AM - Edit history (1)

Do you have access to a cell phone? What if you need to call someone for an emergency?

[kimbutgar]

7. Can you imagine how many chump supporters will be affected by this?

This is a major thing brewing to hit in about 1-2 months from now that chumps FCC chairman ended this low cost internet program. It will affect red states the most. All these poor and old folks are going to have to pay more for their cheap internet services.

This is something they can't blame on on Obama because this was eliminated by chump taking over.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

8. Pure evil. ;( n/t.

[orangecrush]

11. Bastards

I want to see the day come when they answer for shit like this.