Four Million Low-Income Americans Have Crossed the Digital Divide Through Comcast’s Internet Essentials Program
Company Again Increases Program’s Internet Speed, Offers Free Access
to Millions of Xfinity WiFi Hotspots, and Expands Low-Income Senior
Citizen Pilot Program
Comcast Renames Six-Time Olympic Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee as
National Spokesperson; Names Telemundo Host Adamari López as National
Hispanic Spokesperson; and Kicks Off Multi-City Tour
PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, Comcast Corporation announced that its acclaimed Internet
Essentials program, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive
high-speed Internet adoption program, has now connected more than four
million low-income Americans, in one million households, to high-speed
Internet service at home. The State of Florida is second to California
with the most connected households in the country, having connected more
than 120,000 low-income households benefitting nearly 500,000 Floridians.
The company also announced three key program enhancements:
-
For the fourth time in six years, Comcast will increase the program’s
Internet service speeds, this time from 10/1 Mbps to up to 15/2 Mbps.
More speed was the number one requested enhancement from Internet
Essentials customers, and this latest increase will improve streaming
quality in the home (15 Mbps is three times the speed necessary to
view a high-definition video), especially when multiple devices are
connected to the Internet at the same time. -
To help family members connect to the Internet on the go and save
money on their wireless bills, Internet Essentials customers will now
enjoy 40 hours of free out-of-home WiFi access per month to the
company’s growing network of 18 million Xfinity WiFi hotspots. This
WiFi access is being offered in addition to the free in-home WiFi
Internet Essentials customers currently enjoy. -
Comcast is also expanding its pilot program for low-income senior
citizens from five cities and metropolitan areas to 12, including
today in Miami-Dade County.
David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity
Officer of Comcast Corporation, made the announcements in Miami with
six-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who will serve for the
second year as Internet Essentials’ national spokesperson. Cohen also
introduced Adamari López, host of Telemundo’s Un Nuevo Día, who will
become the program’s first ever national Hispanic spokesperson. The
three kicked off a multi-city tour, which will run through October.
“When we started this program six years ago, we never imagined four
million low-income Americans would benefit from it,” said Cohen. “We
also never would have reached this milestone without our many dedicated
nonprofit partners, elected officials, educators, employees, and
advocates who were all united by the belief that the Internet is
essential, not only to compete in the 21st century economy,
but also to be connected to loved ones and the world. While this
milestone is a wonderful moment to celebrate, it also inspires all of us
to keep going to connect even more families to all that the Internet has
to offer for education, jobs, healthcare, news, information, and
entertainment.”
Joyner-Kersee added, “I remain so honored that Comcast asked me to serve
as the national spokesperson for Internet Essentials. In my post-Olympic
career, I’ve tried to inspire students and athletes to reach their
dreams. They can’t do that, however, if they don’t work hard or have the
tools they need to succeed. The Internet Essentials program gives every
child access to a level playing field so we don’t leave an entire
generation behind.”
López said, “I am thrilled to be joining the Internet Essentials program
as the national Hispanic spokesperson. 55 percent of Internet Essentials
customers are Hispanic, which shows how much they appreciate the value
of the Internet because it is a connection to their families and their
culture. They also value it because of what it means for education and
employment opportunities. I look forward to helping to connect even more
Spanish-speakers to the amazing resources this program offers.”
Internet Essentials has an integrated, wrap-around design meant to
address each of the three major barriers to broadband adoption – digital
literacy, access to computer equipment, and affordable Internet service.
The program is also structured as a partnership between Comcast and
thousands of school districts, libraries, elected officials, and
nonprofit community partners.
About Internet Essentials
Internet
Essentials from Comcast is the nation’s largest and most
comprehensive high-speed Internet adoption program for low-income
Americans. 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-only speakers should call 1-855-765-6995.
About Comcast
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. It also provides
wireless and security and automation services to residential customers
under the XFINITY brand. 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.
Contacts
Comcast Corporation
Charlie Douglas, 215-264-8020
charlie_douglas@comcast.com
