NEWARK — Flipping through a Facebook photo album or sending an email just got a whole lot cheaper for Newark residents.
The city and JerseyOn, a state-wide nonprofit, announced a new program today that will allow city residents to purchase a modem for $35 and pay $10 a month for unlimited broadband internet.
Newark families can also purchase a portable internet device for a one-time fee of $40.
The device gives 500 megabits per month of internet, allowing for about an hour and half of surfing. It would not be as useful for streaming videos or playing games, organizers said.
The $10 a month fee is negotiated by JerseyOn with internet providers and is not subsidized by taxpayer money. The free devices were paid for by nonprofits, according to the city.
More than a third of all Americans— including 50 percent of minorities — don't have internet at home, according to JerseyOn.
JerseyOn chairman Josh Gottheimer said when low-income families don't have access to the internet they are cut off from opportunities such as conducting research for a class assignment, filling out college applications or applying for a job
"That is simply unacceptable and we need to fix it," he said. "It's like you are living in a bygone era."
JerseyOn recently announced a similar program in Jersey City.
The program will also give more than 1,000 kids the portable internet devices for free through the city's My Brother's Keeper program.
"This is an opportunity to bridge that digital divide," Newark Ras Baraka said.
The initiative comes a day after Baraka and Rutgers University unveiled a new mobile application that allows city residents to a report a crime or find information.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect additional information.
Naomi Nix may be reached at nnix@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @nsnix87. Find NJ.com on Facebook.