Bridging the Digital Divide

By Larry Bragman

I have been an advocate for increasing access to our cable television and internet services for many years. This is a Marin Voice article I did which discusses the issue. I am happy to say that the Marin Telecommunications Agency recently approved a pilot project to provide a discount to low income seniors and disable subscribers.

By Larry Bragman

Posted: 08/13/2009 12:07:18 AM PDT

A RECENT IJ online poll asked, "Should local government subsidize cable for low-income residents?" The poll was accompanied by the headline "E! for everyone."

keyNot surprisingly the public reacted unfavorably to the concept of able-bodied residents receiving a discount on their cable bill. Had the poll asked, "Should low-income elderly and disabled residents have access to basic cable television services which are provided over our public rights of way?" readers might have understood the proposal more clearly and reacted differently.

The Marin Telecommunications Agency, the joint powers authority that oversees our local cable television franchise, has long recognized that low-income elderly and disabled residents face major hurdles affording even basic cable service.

Many of these residents have physical challenges which hamper their access to outside sources of information and entertainment. Most live on fixed incomes which further limits their ability to subscribe to information services. The special circumstances of these groups is part of a "digital divide" which segregates access to basic cable television and Internet service delivered over public rights of way.

Historically, Marin County's cable television franchise agreement provided low-income elderly subscribers and disabled subscribers with a 20 percent discount on basic cable television service, the lowest tier of service offered. The discount was ended in 2006 when Comcast refused to continue the program. Comcast agreed to continue providing the discount to the eligible subscribers then receiving the benefit but new subscribers, or subscribers who became eligible under the guidelines, would no longer receive a similar discount on their basic cable service. Comcast's second quarter 2006 profits were $480 million.

Given the tough economic times we are facing, low-income elderly and disabled residents continue to face great challenges obtaining basic cable service. Marin's population is growing older and pension benefits are growing scarcer. More recently, Comcast dropped its bulk rate agreement with the county of Marin for public housing facilities. Thus, in spite of the overall health and wealth of our community, there is a significant group of residents for whom even basic cable television remains an economic challenge. These same residents contribute sales and property taxes that support the public rights of way over which cable television lines are strung.

Experience has shown that the cost of providing a low-income elderly and disabled discount has been relatively small. As of 2006, it reduced franchise revenues by $12,199.68 out of yearly total fees of about $3 million. Of the franchise's 62,000 subscribers, only 288 have qualified for the discount. Both the Marin Center for Independent Living and the Marin Housing Authority recently offered to help the MTA administer a pilot low-income elderly and disabled discount program with the same eligibility guidelines that have long been in place. MTA would monitor the program over the next 12 months to ensure that it serves the community without unreasonable costs.

Speaking for myself, not the MTA board, the pilot low income elderly and disabled discount is a reaffirmation of the agency's historic mission to ensure that our public rights of way serve all residents. Basic cable television service, which includes public access, educational and governmental channels, is a vital informational utility for our community.

When government grants a franchise to a corporation to use our public rights of way to deliver a for-profit service, fairness dictates that it make every effort to ensure that the service doesn't exclude residents because of disability or age. The low-income elderly and disabled discount provides access to public rights of way for these residents and will begin to bridge the digital divide.

Fairfax Town Councilman Larry Bragman is a director of the Marin Telecommunications Agency.