Cable industry proposes 50 percent discounts on broadband service for low-income students

Getting high-speed Internet to American homes is just half the battle. Getting people to pay for the service and use it is the other part of the challenge facing federal regulators. As such, the cable industry Tuesday proposed a two-year project to bring discounted broadband service to middle school students who don't get broadband today. The National Cable and Telecommunications Association announced a plan called Adoption Plus that would target 3.5 million middle school children from low-income families. In it, cable providers represented by the NCTA said they would give free installation and a 50 percent discount for high-speed Internet service. The offer would give cable companies more customers. It also hinges on government aid for computers and training. The industry group is pushing the government to use stimulus funds to help households with training on computers and Internet use as well as discounts for computers. The cable companies won't get any of that funding.

FCC Chairman Genachowski issued a statement:

"I commend NCTA and their industry partners for their leadership in launching Adoption Plus ("A+"), a program that will bring the benefits of broadband to millions of middle school-aged children in low-income households across the country."

"The Internet is increasingly essential to academic success. With 65 percent of teens going online to complete homework assignments, students that don't have broadband access will fall behind those that do. Ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable broadband service is a national priority -- one that the Commission is actively working on as part of our National Broadband Plan."

"The cable industry's considerable investment in this program represents an important step in addressing the many broadband adoption challenges we face. Recognizing that there is no silver bullet for promoting sustainable adoption, the A+ program offers students the combined support of digital literacy education, discounted computers, and discounted broadband access. This comprehensive approach promises to significantly expand the educational, social, and economic opportunities for our next generation."