Coalition aims to close digital divide for HUD households

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) has joined with computer companies, telcos and a couple of broadband-centric nonprofits in a Digital Adoption Coalition (DAC) that is seeking broadband stimulus bucks.

The goal of the coalition, which is led by nonprofit broadband adoption organization One Economy, is to bring broadband to as many as 250,000 low-income households. If it gets the money--it put in a bid March 15, the deadline for the second round of stimulus fund broadband bids--the coalition will work with HUD to get broadband to public housing via low-cost access, equipment (computers) and training. NCTA has been prepped for the job, having announced its Adoption-Plus initiative. Participating cable operators are ready to deliver half-price service to low-income homes with middle school kids, but that program was contingent on government-funded training and education and the kind of tech-support that companies like Intel, Microsoft and Dell are providing as part of the DAC.