“The FCC survey confirms that increasing broadband adoption in the U.S. will require a holistic approach to address the key reasons why consumers have not yet subscribed, including affordability, relevance to their lives, lack of a computer and inadequate digital training. Major cable operators recently proposed an innovative ‘Adoption Plus’ broadband program targeted at millions of middle-school students from low-income families that would combine discounted service and equipment with digital literacy training. We are committed to working with the FCC and other stakeholders on ‘A+’ or other similar programs that attack the key barriers to broadband adoption, and support efforts in Congress by Sen. Rockefeller and Reps. Markey and Matsui to increase broadband adoption among low-income families.”

[In an effort to help close America’s digital divide in broadband service, NCTA in December proposed an innovative nationwide public-private partnership that combines digital media literacy training with discounted broadband service and computers. The Adoption Plus (A+) pilot program is a proposed two-year public-private partnership to promote broadband adoption for up to 3.5 million middle school-aged children eligible for the National School Lunch Program in approximately 1.8 million low-income households that do not currently receive broadband services.]