Supervisor Preston and Senior/Disability Activists Call on AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast to Provide Affordable Internet Connections to Vulnerable San Francisco Residents

San Francisco -- Earlier today, Supervisor Preston introduced a Resolution calling on internet monopolies to provide access to high-speed internet services to seniors and disabled people at all low-income housing and in digitally redlined BIPOC neighborhoods. The Resolution urges the big providers to expand eligibility and adjust costs for their low-income programs up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) to reflect needs in San Francisco. Supervisor Preston’s announcement follows Senior and Disability Action's (SDA) ongoing #FreeWifi campaign that kicked off in the Spring of 2021.

“I am proud to partner with SDA on their #FreeWifi campaign,” said Supervisor Preston. “High-speed internet service should be treated as a utility that everyone deserves. The ability to get online at home, at school, or at work shouldn’t involve slow speeds and unaffordable costs.”

The #FreeWifi campaign is led by SDA and calls on large internet providers to address the disparity in internet access. Their current demands to AT&T and companies include:

• Better connection and internet infrastructure for affordable housing buildings and POC neighborhoods

• Expanding eligibility for free programs

• Increased speeds and decreased cost

• Intentional outreach and increased enrollment support

• A collaborative taskforce to keep track of progress on these demands

“Quality internet connection is inaccessible for many seniors and people with disabilities in San Francisco, and this impact is more severe for low-income, Black and brown people and immigrants,” said Dasom Nah, Survival School Organizer at Senior and Disability Action. “Digital redlining in low-income housing and Black and brown neighborhoods restricts access to quality internet due to infrastructural barriers–which include outdated or lacking cables, limited digital exposure, and training, as well as high cost and slow speed of broadband service.”

###