Comcast: Bridging the Digital Divide
Low Cost Comcast Internet
Bridging the Digital Divide
Internet is an essential for school, isn’t it? Well, Comcast thinks it is, and to promote Internet usage in low-income families, they are providing discount access for millions across the United States. Those students that qualify for free lunches also get Internet access for $10.00 a month, plus a coupon for the purchase of a computer for only $150.00. This is to combat the ‘digital divide’ that separated the low-income students from their peers.
“The digital divide is extremely important to close,” said East Aurora Chicago School District spokesman Clayton Muhammad. “We are becoming increasingly aware of how important it is for children to have access to technology and the Internet.”
Low-income students and their families will be allowed to sign up for the program until the 2013-2014 school year and will be covered until the child graduates high school. The goal is to provide the same variety of resources for low-income students and their families. They will be able to fill out FAFSAs and other paperwork and their parents will have access to college and job development sites. In an increasingly linked world, internet access to be the difference between success and failure.
“This will have a dramatic effect on the lives of our students and their families,” Muhammad said. “Our children will have greater access to the world at large and be able to see what’s going on.”
Other previous efforts to bring Internet to low-income families have been unsuccessful, but this effort is different.
“This time will be different because of the price point they’re bringing it in at,” said James McKissic, vice president and chief operating officer of the Urban League of Chattanooga. “The parent does need to make an investment, but $10 per month is very reasonable.”
Comcast’s typical standalone Internet starts at $30, and can increase with installation and modem fees.
“There are videos on YouTube that teachers have put up explaining concepts and formulas and that’s an extra boost and an extra help to young people,” he said. “If you live in a household without Internet access, you don’t have access to those extras.”
Other household members can use the family’s connection too, he explained.
“Most job and employment research is online, and a lot of people will only accept your application as an online application or e-mail attachment,” McKissic said. “That’s a benefit for the whole household.”
Comcast offers this discount as part of the deal made with federal regulators, who conditionally allowed it to buy NBC Universal earlier in 2011 if it agreed to extend broadband service to more people.
Author Bio:
This is a guest post from Laura Backes, she enjoys writing about all kinds of subjects and also topics related to Internet service providers in my area. You can reach her at: laurabackes8 @ gmail.com.
Categories: Comcast, Cost, High Speed, Internet News, Kids Tags: Comcast, Discount, Low Cost
Comcast Introducing Discount Broadband Access to Low Income Families
Comcast Discount Broadband
One of America’s largest and fastest growing Internet service providers, Comcast, has announced that they soon will be offering a discounted broadband Internet service to help low-income families get connected.
The service, Internet Essentials, will cost $9.95 per month for families eligible for the program. And it doesn’t stop there! Households who qualify can purchase a computer for $150 as well as attend free Internet training online, or in person. This training is targeted to help participants become technology savvy enough to compete for jobs where computers are used.
According to Comcast’s director of government and community affairs, “The program will roll out in the Richmond area beginning with the new school year.” The director explains that the goal of this program is to help close the digital divide in this area. The U.S census found that 22% of Virginia homes do not have access to broadband Internet access, which is 10% less than the national average.
Comcast hopes that their efforts can help bridge the digital gap and help many families and individuals catch up with the fast growing technology of today’s lifestyle and job market.
Categories: Broadband, Cable Internet, Cost, Internet News Tags: Broadband, Comcast, Discount
