Some New Developments

I still have not responded to Terri's e-mail, however, some new developments have surfaced.

The Comcast Internet Essentials offer was not done entirely out of the goodness of Comcast's heart.  It was actually a condition placed on Comcast by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in order to approve a requested merger between Comcast and NBC/Unversal earlier this year:

Broadband Adoption and Deployment. Comcast will make available to approximately 2.5 million low income households: (i) high-speed Internet access service for less than $10 per month; (ii) personal computers, netbooks, or other computer equipment at a purchase price below $150; and (iii) an array of digital literacy education opportunities. Comcast will also expand its existing broadband networks to reach approximately 400,000 additional homes, provide broadband Internet access service in six additional rural communities, and provide free video and high-speed Internet service to 600 new anchor institutions, such as schools and libraries, in underserved, low-income areas.

This was brought to my attention by not only Skip from Charter Communications, but also a friend locally. 

Currently one of the three companies that I contacted is also in front of the FCC requesting to merge with another company.  AT&T has an application in place to merge with T-Mobile.  I am going to request that a condition be placed on the merger, if approved, that is similar to the condition placed on Comcast.

At this time I have requested a meeting with Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL).  Both will be in Birmingham during the August recess and I would like to ask for their assistance in this matter. 

I will update as I hear from their offices.