[URBAN NOTE] "Rogers offers cheap internet to Toronto's poorest youth"

[rfmcdonald]

So. As CBC reports, Rogers is trying to overcome the digital divide by offering low-cost telecommunications to young poor Torontonians. On the one hand, this is good. On the other hand, I've heard enough horror stories about Rogers, from customers and employees alike, to be very wary of that brand.

Young people who live in social housing in Toronto will soon be able to get broadband internet access for $9.99 a month as part of a pilot project announced by internet service provider Rogers Communications that aims to "bridge Canada's digital divide."

As part of the program called Connected for Success, youth who live in Toronto Community Housing will also be able to buy a computer pre-loaded with software for $150 and will get access to technical support, thanks to Microsoft Canada and Compugen, Rogers announced Monday.

[. . .]

That "digital divide" — a stark difference in internet use among the country's richest and poorest families — was evident in Statistics Canada's 2010 Canadian Internet Use Survey. The survey showed that 46 per cent of households falling in the lowest income quarter — those earning $30,000 or less — had no internet access. In contrast, in the highest income quarter — made up of households earning $87,000 or more — only three per cent lacked internet access.

Eugene Jones Jr., president and CEO of Toronto Community Housing, the largest social housing provider in Canada, said the new program is "a tremendous opportunity for youth living in Toronto Community Housing."

Starting later this year, those who qualify for the program will pay $9.99 a month for internet speeds of up to three megabits per second and will be able to upload and download up to 30 gigabytes per month.

Rogers's cheapest advertised broadband service is about twice as fast — up to six megabits per second and costs $41.49 per month. It allows 20 gigabtyes of usage per month.