COMCAST ANNOUNCES PROGRAM TO HELP CLOSE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Comcast’s Internet Essentials Program Provides Low-Cost Internet Service, Affordable Computers, Digital Literacy Training to Eligible Families
Schaumburg, Illinois – August 30, 2011 – Comcast today announced Internet Essentials in communities across Illinois. Internet Essentials is an ambitious and comprehensive broadband adoption program that addresses three of the primary barriers to Internet access in the home – 1) a lack of understanding of how the Internet is relevant and useful; 2) the cost of a home computer, and 3) the cost of Internet service. Available in areas where Comcast providers Internet service, Internet Essentials’ goal is to help close the digital divide and ensure that more Americans benefit from all the Internet has to offer.
“The Internet is a great equalizer and a life-changing technology,” said LeAnn Talbot, senior vice president, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region. “Internet Essentials helps level the playing field for low-income families by connecting students online with their teachers, their schools and educational and resources that can help them achieve their academic goals. It also provides digital literacy training so parents can use the Internet to apply for jobs online, access government services, search for health information and a participate in a range of other activities.”
Service Details:
Internet Essentials participants will receive:
- Residential Internet service for $9.95 a month + tax;
- No price increases, and no activation or equipment rental fees;
- A low-cost computer for $149.99 + tax (if they desire); and
- Access to free digital literacy training in print, online or in person.
Additional benefits include a 30-day money back guarantee and a complementary Norton™ Security Suite ($160 value) for comprehensive online security protection.
Eligibility:
A household is eligible to participate in the Internet Essentials program if it meets all of the following criteria:
- Is located where Comcast offers Internet service;
- Has at least one child who receives a free lunch at school under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) (As an example, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a household of three would have to make less than $25,000 a year in income);
- Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days; and
- Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment.
Comcast will sign up eligible families in the program for at least three years and through the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Any household that qualifies during this three-year period will remain eligible for Internet Essentials provided the household still qualifies for the program until that child graduates from high school.
For general information about Internet Essentials, please visit www.internetessentials.com for English and visit www.internetbasico.com for Spanish. Educators or third-parties interested in helping to spread the word can find more information at www.internetessentials.com/partner. Parents looking to enroll in the program can call 1-855-846-8376 (1-855-765-6995 in Spanish).
About Comcast Corporation:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.
Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region serves more than 2 million customers in central and northern Illinois, the Chicago area, northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan. Comcast has 7,000 employees in the region.
In the region, Comcast supports a host of community-based organizations, including Boys and Girls Clubs, City Year Chicago, One Economy Corporation, The United Way and Urban League. Comcast provides courtesy video and Internet services to schools, libraries, and municipalities throughout its service areas in Illinois, northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan.
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Media Contact:
Comcast:
Jack Segal
773-456-8851 (cell)
847-585-0405 (office)
Jack_Segal@cable.comcast.com
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