The Connected Nation Blog: Connected Nation and Tech Leaders Apply for Funding to Put Computers in U.S. Households

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Connected Nation and Tech Leaders Apply for Funding to Put Computers in U.S. Households

The top reasons non-Internet users cite for not having broadband at home are lack of relevance, price, and lack of a computer (2009 Pew Internet & American Life Project).

According to Pew research, 21% of those who cite price as a barrier to broadband adoption are African Americans, 27% are age 65 and older, and 27% live in rural areas.

Today, Connected Nation joined and a host of technology companies (Intel Corporation, Fujitsu, Velocity Micro, Inc., and ZT Systems) to apply for broadband stimulus funding for Every Citizen Online(SM).

Every Citizen Online(SM) is a public-private partnership program designed to enable computer ownership and broadband use in low-income and unconnected homes. The program will help vulnerable populations overcome top barriers to adoption: broadband awareness and training, computer ownership, and subscription affordability. Joining together technology companies and local entities, the program will provide digital literacy and help unconnected consumers purchase a new broadband-enabled computer using an instant rebate, bundled with a year of discounted broadband service.

The program will leverage federal stimulus dollars to enable low income and other unconnected consumers to purchase his/her a choice of a broad range of personal computers at a deeply reduced price, receive discounted monthly broadband service and local community support.

The initial phase of the program will target 150,000 computers introduced to households.

For more information about Every Citizen Online(SM), visit www.connectednation.org.

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