United Way To Build Wireless In Poor Neighborhoods
from the and-then-charge-for-them?!? dept
We’ve had stories in the past about organizations providing WiFi connections in poor neighborhoods to help get people there onto the internet. Now the United Way is trying to do the same thing by setting up some access points in West Philly. However, I’m a bit surprised that they’ve decided to charge for those hotspots. They’re charging less than the commercial hotspot providers, but this is a project that screams out for free WiFi. If commercial WiFi providers are finding it nearly impossible to sign up regular customers, just imagine what the United Way will find in low income areas. I’m not sure what they hope to recoup by charging for the WiFi, but it won’t be much, and it will only act to limit the number of people who use the service. If they’re really trying to get people onto the internet, it makes no sense for them to charge a monthly fee.
Comments on “United Way To Build Wireless In Poor Neighborhoods”
OK..
So where are these people going to get the computers to use WiFi with? Some has not bothered to think this one out..
The United Way should go back to wasteing your money on girlfriends and what not.. I think it’s cheaper..
Re: OK..
The article says that they plan on giving the *computers* out for free. Just not the WiFi access.
No Subject Given
If food, shelter, and a job are a constant struggle for you, wi-fi access is not going to help. Wiring all the schools did not help education, free or cheap internet access is not going to help the poor either.
Re: response
Hi folks,
Couple of responses for this discussion board:
– United Way is working through two of its member agencies who are community based organizations providing a service to their communities. To maintain the network and to provide training to residents, there is need to have a low charge to community residents. We aren’t just providing the internet, we are also providing free training on an ongoing basis. Its also not just internet access, but network access. For example, we are putting educational software on a server and running terminal services so that not every home needs to go out buy different educational pieces. The other belief we have though is that there needs to be some type of economic value attached to the service. We have had ongoing internal dialogue about it and its definitely worth continuing to discuss.
– To Dennis’s point, we are actually providing low cost computers to residents. Microsoft is providing licenses for Office XP and low cost operating licenses. We also do a 6 week introductory training to computer, internet, etc.
– To Chris’s point, I just think you’re wrong. Middle income and upper income people have access to the internet in their homes, so should low-income folks. There’s tons of research about there that speaks to how technology can improve people’s lives…i would encourage you to check out our web portal to see how: http://www.thebeehive.org/philly
response
Hi folks,
Couple of responses for this discussion board:
– United Way is working through two of its member agencies who are community based organizations providing a service to their communities. To maintain the network and to provide training to residents, there is need to have a low charge to community residents. We aren’t just providing the internet, we are also providing free training on an ongoing basis. Its also not just internet access, but network access. For example, we are putting educational software on a server and running terminal services so that not every home needs to go out buy different educational pieces. The other belief we have though is that there needs to be some type of economic value attached to the service. We have had ongoing internal dialogue about it and its definitely worth continuing to discuss.
– To Dennis’s point, we are actually providing low cost computers to residents. Microsoft is providing licenses for Office XP and low cost operating licenses. We also do a 6 week introductory training to computer, internet, etc.
– To Chris’s point, I just think you’re wrong. Middle income and upper income people have access to the internet in their homes, so should low-income folks. There’s tons of research about there that speaks to how technology can improve people’s lives…i would encourage you to check out our web portal to see how: http://www.thebeehive.org/philly