Comcast Announces 3 Million Low-Income Americans Have Crossed the Digital Divide Through Its Internet Essentials Program
August 24 2016 - 12:30PM
Business Wire
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According to a five-year progress report the company released
today, Comcast’s acclaimed Internet Essentials program has helped
connect 750,000 families, or 3 million low-income Americans, to
low-cost, high-speed internet service at home. David L. Cohen,
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of
Comcast Corporation, made the announcement alongside six-time
Olympic Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who was recently named the
national spokesperson for Internet Essentials. The two kicked off a
multi-city tour that, over the next six weeks, will stop in
Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Denver, and Philadelphia where the
company will announce more than $2 million in grants to
community-based organizations that provide vital digital literacy
training and internet access.
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Comcast Announces 3 Million Low-Income
Americans Have Crossed the Digital Divide Through Its Internet
Essentials Program (Photo: Business Wire)
“In the last five years, we’ve learned that no single company or
government program is ever going to fix the digital divide and that
solving a big, difficult societal issue like this takes nothing
short of a movement,” said Cohen. “We are so proud that thousands
of community partners around the country have helped us make a
meaningful dent in the digital divide. With the recent announcement
of our expansion to HUD-assisted homes, we look forward to bringing
this essential connection to even more families over the next five
years. There is still more good work to do.”
“I’ve dedicated my life to inspiring young people to have the
confidence to succeed in both academics and athletics,” said
Joyner-Kersee. “At my foundation’s community center in East St.
Louis, I’ve seen first-hand the kids who grow up without internet
service at home and the impact it has on their futures. I’m proud
to represent Internet Essentials and help close the digital divide,
so every child can have the chance to develop to their fullest
potential and reach their dreams.”
The progress report comes on the heels of a recent announcement
by Comcast to expand the program’s eligibility to households
receiving HUD-housing assistance, including public housing, Housing
Choice Voucher, and Multifamily programs.
In total, there are up to 2 million HUD-assisted homes in
Comcast’s service area across the country, which, according to HUD,
account for approximately 40 percent of all its households. The
announcement means even more individuals, including seniors,
veterans, and adults without children, are now eligible to apply to
the program.
The comprehensive Internet Essentials Five Year Progress Report,
available online here, includes significant new milestones
highlighting the program’s impact on the lives of its customers
since its launch in 2011. In addition to the 3 million connections
delivered since its inception, the report shows that Comcast has
invested more than $300 million in cash and in-kind support to help
fund digital literacy training and educational initiatives,
reaching nearly 4.4 million people through national and local
nonprofit community partners.
The report goes on to note that, since the launch of the
program, Comcast has distributed 54,000 subsidized computers and
partnered with more than 9,000 community partners, including
schools and school districts, community-based organizations,
elected officials, and businesses who understand the importance of
bringing the Internet home.
Internet Essentials Investments
- Since 2011, Comcast has invested more
than $300 million in cash and in-kind support to fund digital
literacy initiatives nationally, reaching nearly 4.4 million people
through our national and local nonprofit community partners.
Additional key program milestones and facts through June 2016
include:
- Dedicated more than $1.8 million in
grants to create Internet Essentials Learning Zones, where networks
of nonprofit partners are working together to enhance public
Internet access and increase family-focused digital literacy
training in Atlanta, Baltimore Chicago, Denver, Fresno, and
Seattle, among others.
- Broadcast 8.5 million public service
announcements, valued at nearly $110 million.
- Provided more than 54,000 subsidized
computers at less than $150 each.
- Distributed nearly 53 million pieces of
Internet Essentials program material for free.
- Welcomed more than 6.4 million visitors
to the Internet Essentials English and Spanish websites, and its
Online Learning Center.
- Fielded more than 4.4 million phone
calls to our Internet Essentials call center.
- Offered Internet Essentials to more
than 55,000 schools in more than 5,000 school districts in 39
states and the District of Columbia.
- Partnered with over 9,000
community-based organizations, government agencies, and federal,
state, and local elected officials to spread the word.
About Internet Essentials
Internet Essentials from Comcast is the nation’s largest and
most comprehensive high-speed internet adoption program. It
provides low-cost high-speed internet service for $9.95 a month
plus tax; the option to purchase an internet-ready computer for
under $150; and multiple options to access free digital literacy
training in print, online and in-person. For more information, or
to apply for the program, visit www.InternetEssentials.com or call
1-855-846-8376. Spanish speakers should call 1-855-765-6995.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and
technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and
NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video,
high-speed internet and phone providers to residential customers
under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to
businesses. NBCUniversal 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. Visit
www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160824005742/en/
Comcast CorporationCharlie Douglas,
215-264-8020charlie_douglas@comcast.comorMeredith Wertz,
215-970-8504meredith_wertz@comcast.com
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