The president recently set a goal for a private-public partnership in hopes of closing the information gap.
BY JACOB PALMER | DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
The president announced plans for private-public partnership aimed at closing the information gap.
The ConnectHome program will launch in 27 cities (none in Oregon) and one tribal nation.
The White House said Obama’s school-based Internet program is on track to make sure that 99 percent of K-12 students can use the Web in their classrooms and libraries by 2017. The new program aims to help less privileged students access the Internet and continue learning when they get home from school.
The 27 cities the Department of Housing and Urban Development selected for ConnectHome are: Albany, Georgia; Atlanta; Baltimore; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Boston; Camden, New Jersey; Cleveland; Denver; Durham, North Carolina; Fresno, California; Kansas City, Missouri; Little Rock, Arkansas; Los Angeles; Macon, Georgia; Memphis, Tennessee; Meriden, Connecticut; Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans; New York; Newark, New Jersey; Philadelphia; Rockford, Illinois; San Antonio; Seattle; Springfield, Massachusetts; Tampa, Florida; and the District of Columbia.
(SOURCE: Associated Press)
Google Fiber said it would join Obama’s push:
In conjunction with President Obama’s new ConnectHome initiative, Google Fiber said it will offer free Internet service with no up-front cost in “select” public and affordable housing properties in markets it serves.
Portland is not among the 27 cities selected to participate in the ConnectHome project, but Google Fiber is eyeing the Portland market and indications are very strong the company plans to expand here eventually.
(SOURCE: OregonLive.com)
On the other hand, Comcast plans on offering a 2-gigabit service for $300 a month.
The cable company disclosed this week that it wants $300 a month for its top-tier Gigabit Pro Internet service, due in Portland and other parts of the country later this year. Comcast also wants a $500 installation fee, according to the widely followed industry site DSL Reports, and a two-year commitment.
Installation may take up to two months.
(SOURCE: OregonLive.com)
