Requesting more information on the laptop program

May 28, 2014 20:25:36 GMT -5 effinrain said:

According to Comcast and their Internet Essential program:
customer.comcast.com/help-and-support/internet/comcast-broadband-opportunity-program

You can get low-cost discounted Internet service for $10 per month and the option of buying a discounted laptop for $149.99+tax.

This is one option if anyone is looking to get a discounted laptop while on social services programs and is available in all areas where Comcast serves. 

TEN DOLLARS A MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

That is an incredible discount from what most people pay which tends to be $20-$35 a month for basic internet service.  The price tag on the laptop seems very fair and reasonable, however I'd rather see them bundle the free internet service into the Lifeline assistance phones, and not a stand alone service for your home/laptop. 

I really hope the government expands the broadband service plan for people on government assistance b/c at that point they can bundle internet service with the lifeline phones and maybe make your lifeline phone a browsing device as well as maybe a wifi-hotspot (?)

the lifeline phones are almost outdated in the sense that in the very near future, phone service for low-income people can be handled thru a smart phone connected to wifi, not a 3g,4g, or 5g network.  Like Skype is VOI (Voice-over-internet).  and while I make essential phone calls with my lifeline phone (assurance wireless is my provider, they give 250-minutes and unlimited texts), I notice I text more than make calls.  Granted, phone calls are quicker in the sense of not being delayed like a text or taking a few minutes for the text to get to my recipient, the handheld cell phone is on the verge of dying only to be re-born as a smart-handheld device.

I'd rather have a smart-device that can access the Internet and send text messages and in theory use wifi/internet to send voice communications via a 3rd party site/provider  than a handheld mobile phone.  I'm not dumping on the free government provided mobile phone, it works very well and I don't see a phone bill, just monthly updates to my minutes; however being able to access the Internet, that I can in-turn use as a "LIFELINE" to the outside world, IMHO, is more practical and valuable.

Now I've heard in New York/NY-Metro area, the Lifeline mobile phones are two types, one including the standard handheld that makes calls and texts, the other does both and as an added bonus you can pay for the internet service for your phone and use it to do your web-browsing.

Where I live, they only offer the first type, the voice/text unit.  At least that is what was only offered to me when I signed up a number of months ago.  My understanding is that for the people who live in the areas that the 2-types of phones are offered, if you opt for the web-enabled device, YOU PAY ALL DATA CHARGES.