NEW YORK — Cable companies said Wednesday that they will offer Internet service for $9.95 a month to homes with children eligible for free school lunches.
The offer will start next summer and is part of an initiative by the Federal Communications Commission to get more U.S. homes connected to broadband.
One-third of homes, or about 35 million, don’t have broadband. That affects people’s ability to access education and find jobs, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said.
“The broadband adoption gap in the U.S. is very large, and the costs of digital exclusion are high and getting higher,” he said.
The initiative, called Connect-to-Compete, also includes Microsoft Corp., which pledges to sell PCs with its Office software suite for $250. A firm called Redemtech is offering to sell refurbished computers for $150.
For those without broadband, cost is a minor factor. Most say they’re simply not interested, according to a report by the Commerce Department.
