Comcast Extends Internet Essentials Program

Sep 23, 2014 8:58 AM

BALTIMORE�Comcast hosted an event at Digital Harbor Foundation in Baltimore to kick off the fourth year of Internet Essentials, the company’s broadband adoption program that provides broadband service for $9.95 a month plus tax.

Also announced at the event was the extension of the promotion offering six months of complimentary service to eligible families who apply before Sept. 30.

Since 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than 350,000 families, or about 1.4 million low-income Americans, to the power of the Internet, including more than 7,400 families, or about 29,700 low-income residents in Maryland. The program is available in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

Comcast Executive Vice President David L. Cohen and Regional Senior Vice President Thomas Coughlin were joined at the event by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley; Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake; Maryland State Senator Bill Ferguson; representatives from the US Department of Education and other local officials and civic and community leaders. They also gave 55 computers and six months of complimentary Internet Essentials service to students from Digital Harbor High School and Liberty Elementary School.

Students attending the event heard from Executive Director of DHF Andrew Coy, Principal of Digital Harbor High School Brian Eyer, and CEO and co-founder of local technology incubator Betamore Mike Brenner. They also explored projects from DHF “maker” programs.

Comcast will engage with parents, teachers, nonprofit partners and elected officials to help spread the word to low-income families about the program. Comcast will also continue to offer families the option to purchase a computer at less than $150, as well as provide access to free digital literacy training online, in print and in person.

Additionally, Comcast recently announced an amnesty program for certain low-income families who could qualify for Internet Essentials, but have a past due balance that is older than a year.