It's possible to they cut a secret tax deal. They may save many times the cost on taxes. I guess that falls under government coercion.

Did they do it because they WANTED to do it, or were they coerced, either by the Gov't or by collective social guilt, to do it? THAT is the question...

Yes, Obamaphones. I remember when they came out - the "free" phones paid for by...the rest of us.

I only found out a few years ago that "free" phones were being given to people, paid for by an extra tax on my cell phone bill. Sure this is more of the same

LOL .:)

I only hope that at least a few of the kids...and parents realize the Internet is a vast store of knowledge and opportunity. Both of which can be productively used to work around the increasingly stifling parts of globalization.

I would guess this is an attempt to get cities to pay for some or all infrastructure improvements needed for the service.

Exactly. Nothing in life is free. This is being paid for by current subscribers. It would possibly be acceptable if the access was very limited. Education, jobs things like that. My guess is we are just giving free porn to people.