Internet Essentials(SM) provides low-cost Internet service, affordable computers and digital literacy training to families with children in the National School Lunch Program
Comcast announces launch plans for the Comcast Digital Connectors Program at Focus: HOPE Fall 2011 with $25,000 grant from Comcast Foundation
Comcast today announced the Michigan launch of Internet Essentials(SM), an ambitious and comprehensive broadband adoption experiment, during an event co-hosted by William F. Jones, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Focus: HOPE, Bret Perkins, Comcast Corporation's Vice President of External and Government Affairs, and Tim Collins, Regional Senior Vice President for Comcast's Heartland Region. Joining to mark the launch were U.S. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (14th Congressional District), U.S. Congressman Gary Peters (9th Congressional District), Detroit State Representative Maureen Stapleton (4th District), Detroit City Council Member James Tate, and other dignitaries from the community.
The Internet Essentials program addresses three of the primary barriers to broadband adoption that research has identified: 1) a lack of understanding of how the Internet is relevant and useful; 2) the cost of a home computer; and 3) the cost of the Internet service. Available to low-income families in Detroit and across Michigan with children who receive free lunch under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the goal of Internet Essentials is to help close the digital divide and ensure more Americans benefit from all the Internet has to offer.
"Access to high speed Internet is critical for our children to receive the best education possible," said U.S. Congressman Gary Peters. "I'm glad that Comcast is partnering with our community to help bring the Internet into the homes of more children so that everybody has the opportunity to develop the skills to succeed and have a good paying job in the future."
"While America has increasingly become a digital nation, many low-income Detroit families are being left at a disadvantage, because they don't have Internet service at home. Comcast is leading the charge in making broadband adoption a reality for more families," said Michigan State Representative Maureen Stapleton. "As representative for the 4th District in Michigan, we are proud to pledge support, but we can't do this alone. We need parents, educators, community leaders and other government officials to join in this effort, spread the word and help increase broadband adoption in our community."
According to David L. Cohen, Comcast Corporation's Executive Vice President, "The Internet is a great equalizer and a life-changing technology. Internet Essentials helps level the playing field for low-income families by connecting students online with their teachers and their school's educational resources as well as enabling parents to receive digital literacy training so they can do things like apply for jobs online or use the Internet to learn more about healthcare and government services available where they live."
Service Details:
Internet Essentials participants will receive:
- Residential Internet service for $9.95 a month plus tax;
- No price increases, no activation fees, or equipment rental fees;
- A voucher to purchase a low-cost computer for $149.99 plus tax;
- Access to free digital literacy training in print, online or in person.
Additional benefits include a complementary Norton™ Security Suite ($160 value) for comprehensive online security protection.
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