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Eight Internet service providers, including Google Inc and
Sprint Corp, have signed on to make the Internet cheaper and
more accessible in 27 cities and the Choctaw Tribal Nation in
Durant, Oklahoma.
Private and public institutions have pledged to invest $70
million in the plan. The federal government is only contributing
$50,000, Julian Castro, the secretary of Housing and Urban
Development, told reporters on a conference call.
The initiative will reach 275,000 households with almost 200,000
children.
"While high-speed Internet access is given for millions of
Americans, it's out of reach for far too many," Obama said at
Durant High School to a crowd that included many children in
traditional tribal garb.
The Choctaw Tribal Nation is working with four local providers
to bring the Internet to 425 homes.
In Atlanta, Durham, Kansas City and Nashville, Google will
provide free Internet connections in some public housing areas.
In select markets, Sprint will offer free wireless broadband
access to families with kids in public housing. In Seattle,
CenturyLink Inc will provide broadband service for public
housing residents for $9.95 a month for the first year.
Cox Communications Inc [COXC.UL] is offering home Internet for
$9.95 a month to families with kids in school in four cities in
Georgia, Louisiana and Connecticut.
The program also includes free training and technical support.
Best Buy Co Inc will offer free training to the Choctaw Tribal
Nation and in some cities, the White House said.
(Reporting by Alex Wilts and Roberta Rampton; Editing by Alan
Crosby and Lisa Shumaker)
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