Charter Internet Rates

Inhabitants with low incomes in the triangle can get $14.99 from Spectrum's essential Internet services. Last year, when Charter Communications purchased Time Warner cable, the Connecticut-based telecoms company pledged to provide cost-effective services in 41 states, among them North Carolina. However, lower incomes are not informed about the Spectrum Internet Assist services.

UNC Refugee Community Partnership programme executive Meagan Clawar uncovered the issue when he helped an immigration couple in Chapel Hill use Spectrum, the trade name Charter uses for its Internet tariff ing services. Since then, she has found three more immigrants who have not been named Spectrum's least expensive rates and either forego Internet access or pay a higher one.

It is Clawar's intention to tell low-income citizens that she works with how to register for the programme and will also notify manager of government residences and welfare workers to pass the buck to low-income renters. Clawar's first call to Spectrum support last weekend asked for the most cost-effective Internet available and was quoted at $54.99.

Once she found out that a neighbouring familiy had a lower Spectrum Internet bill, she resolved to try again. This printout caused Spectrum support to refer to the Spectrum Internet Assist software. Spectrum Internet Assist is available to qualifying homes whose kids are entitled to free or discounted lunch as part of the National School Lunch Programme, as well as to low-income individuals 65 years of age and older who are receiving an additional security earned lunch.

Charge Charter an additional $5 per monthly for Wi-Fi. Since 2003, Time Warner Cable had provided a similar programme known as Everyday Low Price Internet, and Charter said it would still provide its own edition. Patrick Paterno, charter spokesperson, said the programme is available to clients who specifically ask for it.

However, if someone who has qualified did not know how to ask for it - and pays too much for it - Spectrum will not rectify the mistake and convert this client to the lower rate, he said. Instead, the client must terminate the agreement and request the renewal 30 business days later, which may incur a setup charge of $49.99 if the client is not able to perform the install itself.

"Spectrum Internet Assist is not marketed widely, as there are very special admission conditions for homes and senior citizens," Paterno said by e-mail. Mr Paterno also said that the broadcaster recently hosted open air meetings in Durham, Fayetteville and Sumter, S.C. to support Spectrum Internet Assist. Durham's meeting took place on 20 May at the Kramden Institute, which educates those on low incomes in computer skills.

Charter provided around 60 reconditioned computer systems to needy households at the meeting. Spectrum's rock-bottom price for those who don't qualifiy for Spectrum Internet Assist is $54.99 for standalone Internet at 100 Mbps. $14.99 per hour services have a 30 Mbps velocity.

It also said that an Internet connexion is no longer a matter of discretion, but is vital for doing your homework, providing information and connecting to the outside worlds. Charta formed a similar point in a December 2015 news announcement when it pledged to provide a $14.99 per month subscription each year.