Google Fiber Offers Free Internet to Public Housing Residents

That said, Fiber Basic is actually already free on a monthly basis, but includes a $300 construction fee (also payable in $25 installments) to get the infrastructure running.

EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit that aims to eliminate the digital divide by making high-speed, low-priced Internet, computers, and free digital literacy training accessible to all unconnected USA residents.

Although a timeline hasn’t been provided yet, Google promised to extend the program to every current and future Fiber city. Some Internet providers appear to be underwriting some or all of their own costs of participating.

Google joins several other private companies, including CenturyLink, Sprint, and Cox Communications, who are either giving away or providing Internet hookups at a reduced cost. “They will not have the same opportunities to compete in today’s technological revolution and as a outcome our community and our economy will suffer without the contributions of these children”, U.S. Rep. Castor added.

Google announced today that it is launching a program to bring completely free internet access to public and affordable housing residents in four of its Google Fiber markets.

First launched in 2012, Google Fiber allows people in what Google calls “Fiberhoods” to qualify for various subscription packages for its much-faster Internet connection. But not everyone benefits from all the web has to offer.

The initiative is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The ConnectHome initiative will begin in the following 28 communities across the country: Little Rock, AR; Fresno, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Meriden, Connecticut; Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Tampa, FL; Albany, GA; Atlanta, GA; Macon, GA; Rockford, Illinois; Baton Rouge, LA; New Orleans, LA; Boston, Massachusetts; Springfield, Massachusetts; Baltimore, MD; Kansas City, MO; Durham, NC; Camden, NJ; Newark, NJ; New York, NY; Cleveland, Ohio; Choctaw Nation, OK; Philadelphia, PA; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; San Antonio, TX; and Seattle, WA.

“With support from local organizations and city leaders, we hope to see this same kind of success across the country”, Swanson wrote. But “there is still a substantial distance to go, particularly in our poorest neighborhoods and most rural communities, to ensure that all Americans can take advantage of the opportunities created by recent advances in computing and communications technology”.