The GAO should review broadband adoption projects funded by the...
The GAO should review broadband adoption projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. He requested the report in a March 16 letter his office released Tuesday. The agency should “identify…
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what kind of efforts have been most effective at increasing broadband adoption and digital proficiency,” Rockefeller said. Seeking to develop a record beyond the GAO request, Rockefeller also sent letters March 16 to Comcast, AT&T and nine other ISPs. He asked them for information “about the forces that impede broadband adoption, as well as the kind of efforts that produce sustainable broadband adoption.” Rockefeller sought information on any broadband adoption initiatives under way. Comcast looks forward “to detailing our strong efforts to help solve America’s broadband adoption challenges,” said Executive Vice President David Cohen. “Since launching Comcast’s Internet Essentials program last Fall, we've signed up over 41,000 families and growing -- that’s about 160,000 low income Americans, most of whom didn’t have broadband access before.” Comcast has learned that cultural issues and not just price must be addressed to improve adoption, Cohen said. “We're working on all of these areas, and are introducing program enhancements, including broadening eligibility for the program, making it easier to sign up, and doubling the speed of the service."