Comcast Announces Largest Ever Expansion of its Internet Essentials Program to Reach All Low-Income Americans
In Eight Years, the Program Has Now Connected More Than Eight Million People From Two Million Households to the Internet at Home, Including 92,000 Connecticut Residents
Comcast announced today it is significantly expanding eligibility for Internet Essentials, which is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program, to include all qualified low-income households in its service area. The expansion is the most significant change in the program’s history and the Company estimates that nearly three million additional low-income households, including households with people with disabilities, are now eligible to apply. This number includes nearly 191,000 households across the state of Connecticut.
In addition, the company announced that, since August 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than eight million low-income individuals, from two million households, to the Internet at home, most for the first time in their lives, including nearly 92,000 Connecticut residents. Today’s announcement follows 11 prior eligibility expansions, including last year’s extension of the program to low-income veterans. To be eligible to apply to the program, low-income applicants simply need to show they are participating in one of more than a dozen different federal assistance programs. A full list can be found at www.internetessentials.com.
“This expansion is the culmination of an audacious goal we set eight years ago, which was to meaningfully and significantly close the digital divide for low-income Americans,” said David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast NBCUniversal. “The Internet is arguably the most important technological innovation in history, and it is unacceptable that we live in a country where millions of families and individuals are missing out on this life-changing resource. Whether the Internet is used for students to do their homework, adults to look for and apply for new jobs, seniors to keep in touch with friends and family, or veterans to access their well-deserved benefits, it is absolutely essential to success in our modern, digital age.”
"Home broadband can be a lifeline for connecting with loved ones, services, news and entertainment,” added Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Senate Chairman of the Aging and Veterans Committee. “The expansion of Comcast Internet Essentials to include even more low-income individuals, including low income senior citizens and veterans, is great news to many who live on fixed incomes."
Paula S. Gilberto, president and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut agreed.
“Access to the Internet at home is becoming a necessity as everything from homework to job applications to accessing community resources is being done on line,” Gilberto said. “By expanding eligibility of Comcast’s Internet Essentials, more lower wage earners in our region will be able to access this valuable resource in the safety and comfort of their own home. Our mission is to engage and bring together people and resources committed to the well-being of children and families in our community and we appreciate the contributions of Comcast and all of our contributors and partners, in making this happen.”
Internet Essentials has an integrated, wrap-around design that addresses each of the three major barriers to broadband adoption that research has identified. These include: a lack of digital literacy skills, lack of awareness of the relevance of the Internet to every day life needs, and fear of the internet, the lack of a computer, and cost. As a result, the program includes: multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online, and in person, the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for less than $150; and low-cost, high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month plus tax. The program is structured as a partnership between Comcast and tens of thousands of school districts, libraries, elected officials, and nonprofit community partners. For more information, or to apply for the program in seven different languages, please visit www.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376. Spanish-only speakers can also call 1-855-765-6995.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
Three Million Newly Eligible Households Include Those with Disabilities and Seniors, and 191,000 in Connecticut
