ConnectHome: New High Speed Broadband Initiative Coming to Philadelphia

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PVUSD student using GoogleAppsPresident Obama recently introduced a new White House initiative that brings communities, the private sector, and the federal government together to expand high-speed Internet access to more families across the country.

The new program, ConnectHome, it is piloting in 28 different communities (27 cities and one tribal nation): Albany, GA; Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Baton Rouge, LA; Boston, MA; Camden, NJ; Choctaw Nation, OK; Cleveland, OH; Denver, CO; Durham, NC; Fresno, CA; Kansas City, MO; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; Macon, GA; Memphis, TN; Meriden, CT; Nashville, TN; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Newark, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Rockford, IL; San Antonio, TX; Seattle, WA; Springfield, MA; Tampa, FL; and Washington, DC.

ConnectHome will bring high-speed Internet access to some quarter-million families living in government-assisted housing by partnering with regional broadband groups such as EveryoneOn, Internet service providers such as Google Fiber and CenturyLink, and private businesses such as Best Buy. Sprint, an Internet service provider, will offer free wireless broadband service to K-12 students in public housing projects. Providers and rates may differ per community. Residents will also have access to digital-literacy training and technical support, as well as other educational resources for children.

According to new analysis released today by the President's Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), despite the fact that fast 4G wireless broadband is available to over 98% of Americans, some - especially low-income children - are still unable to benefit from high-speed broadband. So while middle-class American students go home to Internet access, too many low-income students must do their work without access to countless online resources.

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