The government is offering a computer and Internet connection for under £100 to unlucky Britons languishing in the hell of life without the Web. Yes, for less than a ton, those poor unfortunates can become as happy and fulfilled as the joyously Web-connected digital darlings pictured above. Hurray!
Digital inclusion champion Martha Lane Fox is in charge of the low-cost IT pilot scheme, as part of the Race Online 2012 campaign. This encourages people to take advantage of the services and deals on the Internet to generally make their lives better. The scheme is aimed at those who find the cost of equipment is holding them back.
A mere £98 will net you a refurbished computer, flat-screen monitor, keyboard and mouse. The Internet connection comes courtesy of Three, and costs £9 for one month or £18 for three months. This can be topped up online or in cash at Payzone outlets such as newsagents and petrol stations.
The kit is from Remploy, a provider of specialist employment services for disabled people. The hardware has been 'e-cycled' by Remploy, which collects, wipes and refurbishes IT equipment. We've asked Remploy for more specific details about the kit. Other news outlets are reporting that the computers will be Linux-based.
Even tech-addled webjunkies like ourselves acknowledge that the Internet isn't for everyone, so there's bound to be some people happily getting on with their lives untroubled by the digital realm. 9.2 million adults in the UK are not online. Lord knows what they do with their time -- what do they stare at for 8 hours a day, waiting for something to happen? Trees? Hollyoaks? We shudder to think.
Aside from those living in broadband notspots, Remploy says 4 million of those sans Web are also socially and economically disadvantaged, so we applaud any plan to get them wired up to the world of YouTube, LOLcats and CNET UK. The pilot scheme has 200 low-cost packages ready to go, with a further 8,000 expected to shift over the next year.
Previous schemes to get the great unconnected interested in the Web have have included encouraging soap-opera plotlines that promote Internet use. As opposed to copping off with your best mate's fiancée or stealing babies or whatever fresh misery soaps are currently peddling.
What do you think? If you're used to reading Crave at school, work or over peoples' shoulders in Internet cafes, will you be tempted by a low-cost package for your home? Is there anyone you know who will be delighted by the chance to get on the Web for cheap, or are the luddites happy to get by without our inane witterings? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Comments 3
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anonymous 18 January, 2011 11:07
We have been doing this since 2003. In our village anyone who is binning kit gives it to us. We spruce it up and pass it on to others. I guess this happens all over the place, kids especially pass stuff on to aged relatives and show them how it works. We don't need government intervention to pass IT on. We need a decent connection to the internet. Everywhere.
The main problem with all this is internet access. A great many of those not online are in the final third, appox 3 million who can't get online due to distance from exchanges and no mobile signal.
A portion of those not connected (who technically can connect) will never connect. No matter what the incentives are. That leaves another batch who may or may not, but until connectivity is easy and affordable a free pc won't swing it for them. A lot of the people who are not connected simply cannot engage until something is done with the basic infrastructure. Current BT plans to bring 'superfast' to the urban areas are not going to help those at the end of long lines. Many can get a connection via dial up, but most websites no longer load, and videos won't play, so people think 'well what is the point of going online when it doesn't work'?
That is why there are 9million offline.
Anonymous 18 January, 2011 11:44
Why pay £9 a month for 3g broadband when you can get cheaper ADSL?
Dean Shepherd 18 January, 2011 16:14
its cheaper to give 3g net than adsl as not everyone has a dedicated phoneline, so as such would then have to shell out to have it installed, then pay the line rental...rather than just a simple 9 quid a month for 3g..