Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) declared a new initiative to get inexpensive computers and high speed internet into the homes of low income Americans.
Three major providers, Cox, Charter, and Time Warner Cable are offering services to these families for $9.95 per month. Throw this in with Redemtech’s refurbished PCs which cost only $150.00, and suddenly being connected just became affordable for over 100 million Americans.
Microsoft is also throwing its weight behind this project by developing new laptops to sell for $250.00.
What does it mean? Just as cell phones became a household item (which used to be a priviledge only for those with deep pockets), the number of high speed internet users is going to be skyrocketing. Assuming that at least half of the households targeted through this project take advantage of it, thats over 50 million new users.
I am unsure as to whether this will affect the personal user (maybe with heavier traffic your internet’s speed might slide slightly), but more importantly this is going to put an obstacle and an opportunity in front of a lot of websites. With heavier traffic, they will have to install new servers and take advantage of a whole new advertising audience. This in turn will cause companies to higher advertising professionals and more IT staff to manage servers.
Step 1: Make internet affordable for all
Step 2: ?
Step 3: Profit!
Maybe the government is finally doing something right here……CREATING JOBS!
