Comcast Helps Low-Income Households Gain Access to the Internet and Computers This Holiday Season
December 18 2017 - 12:55PM
Business Wire
The holidays are an opportunity to do more than reunite with
family and friends. Many high school seniors will be using the
holiday break to research and submit applications for colleges and
scholarships. Parents will be looking for activities or daycare for
children out of school. Seniors may be looking for information on
their new Medicare plans. Some people may be looking for a job, or
perhaps a better one. All of these efforts require something that
not everyone has: access to the internet – and a computer.
According to the American Community Survey, only 56% of
households earning less than $35,000 a year have broadband service
at home, compared to 92% of households earning more than $75,000 a
year. This disparity, called the digital divide, has a negative
impact on the scholastic achievement of children from low-income
families; it limits the job prospects for and workforce readiness
of the entire household.
Comcast’s Internet Essentials program provides an opportunity
for low-income families who might otherwise struggle to afford
internet access or own a computer. Nationwide, more than one
million homes, or approximately four million Americans, have now
connected to the internet through the program.
“I wanted to pursue a real estate career and access to the
internet was essential to achieving that dream. I needed to be able
to get online and to study for my exam,” said Tinisha of Portland,
an Internet Essentials participant since 2015. “It also really
helps my daughter. She’s in high school and she uses it to get her
homework assignments done.”
After a quick approval process, the program provides affordable
internet access, as well as an option to purchase a low-cost laptop
or desktop computer. Internet Essentials has already connected more
than 29,000 households in Oregon/SW Washington. It’s available to
families of students participating in the National School Lunch
Program, and recipients of HUD housing assistance.
“We are proud of Internet Essentials and its demonstrated impact
to help bridge the digital divide," said Rodrigo Lopez, Comcast’s
Regional Senior Vice-President for Oregon/SW Washington. “This
program enables the jobless to seek employment, students the
ability to get their homework done, and all participants to
successfully engage in today’s internet dependent world. It’s a
great equalizer.”
Comcast Oregon/SW Washington is also celebrating more than $3.5
million in financial charitable contributions and in-kind
donations, as well as thousands of hours of service work by its
almost 2,000 employees in the region.
About Comcast:
Comcast 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.
Comcast has invested in technology to build an advanced network
that delivers among the fastest broadband speeds, and brings
customers personalized video, communications and home management
offerings. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media
and technology company. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more
information.
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ComcastAmy Keiter, 503-407-9109Amy_Keiter@comcast.com
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