The internet is an everyday necessity for most people, but for some the price tag puts the service out of reach.
But getting online is about to become much easier for thousands of New Brunswick families.
Rogers announced Monday it’s expanding it’s Connected for Success Program to New Brunswick.
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In conjunction with the Department of Social Development, the program allows 19,000 eligible families from across the province that live in low income subsidized housing access to very low internet rates — just $9.99 a month.
Those who stand to benefit say it will be a huge help. Stacey Hasselman lives in Saint John’s Crescent Valley community, which has a high percentage of low income, subsidized housing.
“It will let us be able to look things up that we need for school, health wise and recipes because we like to cook,” she said.
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long says going door to door explaining new government programs to families in Crescent Valley really opened his eyes to their lack of access to the essential service.
“Family after family after family in Crescent Valley — we would say ‘You know check us out on Facebook or check us out on Twitter’ and they’re like,’we don’t have internet,'” Long said.
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Rogers says it’s likely this deal is as inexpensive as anywhere in the world.
“I mean, our regular price for that service would be over $60 a month, so take this down to $10 for a high-speed internet service, it’s a pretty phenomenal program for those who are able to qualify for this,” said Ken Marshall, Atlantic president for Rogers Communications.
The program will be reviewed after two years to see how it’s being used and how it’s benefiting the community. The Rogers Connect for Success Program was launched in Toronto in 2013.
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