Sep 24, 2017
Comcast Addresses the Digital Divide
Comcast recently announced that Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest high-speed Internet program for low-income families, hit a major milestone in their effort to close the digital divide.
Internet Essentials provides low-cost Internet service for $9.95 per month, the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for less than $150 and access to free digital literacy training in print, online and in person. Families may qualify if they have children eligible for the National School Lunch Program (free or reduced lunch) or if they receive HUD housing assistance.
2017 marks six years since the program was launched, and to date the program has connected more than 4 million people, or 1 million households, to broadband Internet at home - most for the very first time. In New Mexico, Comcast has connected 88,000 low-income New Mexicans, in 22,000 households to the power of the internet in their homes through Internet Essentials.
Coupled with last year’s nationwide expansion to all households receiving HUD assistance, Comcast estimates that nearly 6 million households are now eligible for Internet Essentials. And as an Internet Essentials partner dedicated to bridging the digital divide, we are extremely excited to be a part of this milestone announcement.
