Earlier this year, when Comcast bought up NBC Universal, the corporate made a promise to reinforce broadband access in underserved communities and, with the launch of its new Internet Essentials service, it looks poised to follow through on that commitment. Originally laid out because the Comcast Broadband Opportunity Program, the plan offers internet access for less than $10 a month to families with children who qualify at no cost lunch programs. Taking its commitment even further, the outfit is offering a $150 voucher for the acquisition of a working laptop or computer, access to free digital literacy training, and a Norton Security Suite. For sure there are a number of requirements — one being you want to have made good on previous Comcast bills — but we’re hoping this can help the old red, white, and blue climb a pair rungs at the broadband adoption ladder . Full details of the ambitious plan await you within the PR after the break.
‘Internet Essentials’ to offer Families with Children Eligible for a Free Lunch Under the National School Lunch Program with Low-Cost Internet Service, Affordable Computers and Digital Literacy Training
MIAMI, FL – August 4, 2011
Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado, Miami-Dade School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Volunteer Florida CEO Wendy Spencer, Comcast Corporation Executive Vp David L. Cohen and Comcast’s Regional Senior Vp of the Florida East Coast Region, Filemon Lopez, hosted a briefing today to speak about best-in-class broadband inclusion programs. On the event within the historic Overtown area of Miami, Cohen unveiled a brand new national initiative called Internet Essentials, that’s being viewed because the most ambitious and comprehensive broadband adoption program within the county.
This system addresses what research has identified three primary barriers to broadband adoption:
a scarcity of understanding of ways the net is relevant and useful;
The price of a house computer, and
The price of Internet service.
Available to low-income families living in Comcast’s service areas with children who’re eligible to receive a free lunch under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the goal of Internet Essentials is to aid ensure more American families make the most of your complete Internet has to provide.
In keeping with Cohen, “Access to the net has the prospective to be an outstanding equalizer and a life-changing technology. Internet Essentials helps level the playing field for low-income families. Access to broadband in students’ homes can help you them hook up with their teachers and their school’s educational resources in addition enabling parents to do such things as apply for jobs online or use the web to profit more about healthcare and government services available where they live.”
Throughout the briefing at Phillis Wheatley Elementary School within the Overtown area of Miami, Mayor Regalado, Superintendent Carvalho, and Volunteer Florida CEO, Spencer, joined Cohen and Lopez to introduce Internet Essentials and discuss how you can interact to aid bridge the digital divide.
“Comcast’s Internet Essentials is a model digital inclusion program that sets the bar for broadband adoption initiatives. It not just advances the educational process for kids that don’t have the web at home, however it is a good influence for all of Miami,” said Mayor Regalado. “The web Essentials program is an ideal example of ways a native school system, city government and the business community can all interact to create solutions that move our entire community forward.”
In past times several years, Superintendent Carvalho and the Miami-Dade County School Board was very proactive in seeking the required technology tools and coaching for college students. Most notably, the Miami-Dade County School District received a $3.5M broadband stimulus grant to advance broadband adoption among students in Miami-Dade County.
“As America increasingly becomes a digital nation, in-classroom learning is being supplemented with digital curriculums and at-home assignments,” said Superintendent Carvalho. “Internet Essentials can assist more low-income families enjoy the educational resources and assistance the net provides.”
Service Details:
Internet Essentials participants will receive:
Residential Internet service for $9.95 a month + applicable taxes;
No price increases, no activation fees, or equipment space leases;
A voucher to buy a low-cost computer for $149.99 + tax;
Access to free digital literacy training in print, online or in person.
Additional benefits include the Norton™ Security Suite ($160 value) for comprehensive online security protection at no additional cost.
Eligibility:
A household is eligible to take part within the Internet Essentials program if it meets the entire following criteria:
Is found where Comcast offers Internet service;
Has a minimum of one child eligible to receive a free school lunch under the NSLP;(For example, in line with the dep. of Agriculture, a household of 3 must make lower than $25,000 a year in income);
Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service inside the last 90 days;
Doesn’t have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment.
Comcast will check in eligible families inside the program for no less than three years, throughout the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Any household that qualifies in this three-year period will remain eligible for Internet Essentials provided a toddler eligible for a free lunch remains living inside the household.
“We cannot lose sight that Miami is among the poorest cities within the country, consisting of a lot of persons who’re working very hard daily to raised the lives in their families,” said Lopez. “Our new Internet Essentials initiative provides broadband services to households who’ve been unable to afford it. This directly gives probably the most economically challenged in our community a tangible chance to excel.”
For general information regarding Internet Essentials, please visit www.internetessentials.com for English and visit www.internetbasico.com for Spanish. Educators or third-parties attracted to helping to spread the word can find additional information at www.internetessentials.com/partner. Parents trying to sign up for this system can call 1-855-846-8376 or, for Spanish, 1-855-765-6995.
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