Clear Resellers Impact on Broadband Adoption

 News / Last Modified: 11 April 2013

"I’d like to borrow the Internet, please."

Providence Community Library is loaning out the internet. Literally. They have purchased two hotspots from Mobile Beacon. Library patrons can check out the hotspots for up to a week. The hotspots can accommodate up to five users at a time, with no bandwidth usage limits. Library director Laura Marlane explains:

"More libraries need to be customer service driven. It’s about providing the access our community members need. They need access to the internet at home or wherever they may be. They need access through any kind of device (tablet, smart phone, laptop, desktop) and they need multiple family members to be able to access the internet simultaneously. We are meeting the needs of our community."

New Option for Low-Cost Home Broadband

 News / Last Modified: 21 March 2013

The Partnership Between FreedomPop and Connect2Compete
Today is the launch of the EveryoneOn campaign, a partnership of Connect2Compete (C2C) and the AdCouncil. EveryoneOn is drawing attention to the 1 in 5 Americans who do not use the internet while also leading those individuals to free computer and internet training (online and in person). Getting lost in the launch of EveryoneOn is the launch of a new low cost internet service option. C2C has partnered with FreedomPop (a reseller of the Clear 4G cellular network).

Potential Impact of the FreedomPop-C2C Partnership
The low cost broadband service options being provided by FreedomPop and C2C are not long-term solutions. Still, the options are important because they are attempting to meet a very serious need. If you do not have home internet service, when your child has a homework assignment that must be researched and completed online and the library and local community technology center is closed, what are your options? McDonald’s? The parking lot outside a building with open wifi? Low cost home broadband is a serious need that requires multiple solutions now.