- Image via CrunchBase
The economy welcomes a public-private partnership that TRULY adds 2.4 million jobs.
Granted, this business venture narrows not only the digital divide (that is, by 330,000 students from the 40 percent Chicagoans with little to no access); but also, expands Comcast-Broadband’s market share.
But this partnership, however, poses a distinctive quandary. The axiom that the prospective clients will, in fact, utilize the Internet for the following: (1) to seek employment, (2) to secure the job, and, finally, (3) to contribute to the economy: according to Connected Nation, create 2.4 million jobs.
In addition to the presupposition, this sounds and feels like an entitlement program.
Google defines entitlement program (s): as a government program that guarantees certain benefits to a particular group or segment of the population (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, food stamps, and unemployment compensation). Furthermore, to illustrate, entitlements are in certain business and corporation programs.
Although sundry Americans participate in the above-referenced programs, by political ideologies alike, this innovative partnership is ambiguous on these points: “families that maintain eligibility” as well as in the statement on “meet your obligation to Comcast.”
This issue requires further questions.
What constitutes eligibility?
And, how additional, higher income impacts not only eligibility, but also the duration in the program?
Finally, will the largest broadband public-private partnership narrow the digital divide? Yes. Is this an entitlement program? Perhaps?
Related articles
- How Cities Are Fighting to Close the Digital Divide (mashable.com)
- The digital divide is costing America 32 billion dollars a year via the Digital Exclusion infographic (socialwayne.com)
- A Digital Future: Tackling Social Exclusion Through Technology (raceonline2012.wordpress.com)
