“Feel good” stories are fairly hard to come by at IT events, but I believe I found one at the Gartner Data Center Conference in Las Vegas.
Redemtech, one of the exhibitors at the event, has entered into a partnership with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to get refurbished computers into the hands of low-income families – cheap. I learned about the program over breakfast on Tuesday from a Redemtech employee, and later sat down with Jeff Kramer, a solutions architect in the company’s practice advisory and consulting services group to learn more.
Redemtech is in the business of refurbishing and responsibly recycling old computers. (That “responsibly” part is important, as perhaps you’ve heard about the problems caused by recycled computers being sent to Asia, where they cause all kinds of health problems and pollution.) About 40 million computers are retired annually by American businesses alone.
On Nov. 9, the FCC announced the Connect to Compete program, through which a consortium of Internet service providers will offer broadband connectivity to eligible families for $9.95 per month. In addition, thanks to the efforts of Redemtech, they’ll be able to get a refurbished computer, complete with operating system and productivity software, for $150.
“Only about two-thirds of Americans are connected to the Internet,” even though a broadband connection is really more of a necessity than a luxury, he says. I couldn’t agree more.
The program will launch in select areas early next year with a full nationwide launch scheduled for fall of 2012, in time for the new school year. Companies such as Best Buy and Microsoft are also involved, offering digital literacy training, and CareerBuilder.com is offering its online prep and certification courses for $1.
Click below to hear my conversation with Jeff Kramer and learn more about the Connect to Compete program.
