SPRINGFIELD, Mass.,
May 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As part
of its ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to
the Internet so they can fully participate in educational
opportunities and the digital economy, Comcast today announced it
has equipped seven nonprofit organizations in western Massachusetts with WiFi-connected "Lift
Zones". The free WiFi coverage provided by Comcast at these
community centers is expected to help hundreds of low-income
students get online and do their schoolwork.
Current Comcast Lift Zones in western Massachusetts include:
- Boys & Girls Club Family Center (Springfield)
- Boys & Girls Club of Greater
Holyoke, Inc.
- Boys & Girls Club of Springfield
- Greater Holyoke YMCA
- Homework House (Holyoke)
- North End Youth Center (Springfield)
- West Springfield Boys & Girls Club
"The Greater Holyoke YMCA has been working with the public
school system to offer remote learning to approximately 70 area
students since September, and to do this effectively we needed a
dedicated space to provide internet to many users simultaneously
streaming video and other applications," said Kathleen Viens, CEO of Greater Holyoke YMCA. "
Our Comcast Lift Zone site is providing much needed support for
these children to access their teachers and classmates online with
in-person adult support. This program has allowed many parents and
guardians to return to work knowing their child is in a safe and
nurturing environment that ensures their children are engaged in
their daily online school routine."
"Once again Comcast has stepped in to advance our technology so
that we can have powerful WiFi coverage for our youth operation,"
added Vincent Borello, Executive
Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. "Comcast continues to be a
reliable partner who keeps our program's participants connected to
the internet, which has become ever more important throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic."
Lift Zone sites complement Comcast's Internet Essentials
program, which, since 2011, has now connected a cumulative total of
more than 10 million people in America to broadband Internet at
home, including approximately 97,000
households in Massachusetts.
Today's announcement also comes on the heels of Comcast's recent
$1 billion commitment over the next
10 years to help further close the digital divide and give even
more low-income students and families the tools and resources they
need to succeed in a digital world.
"We are proud to partner with community organizations in western
Massachusetts and equip them with
fast WiFi service to provide residents with safe and reliable
connectivity to learn, access vital online services, and connect
virtually with friends and loved-ones," said Dennis Mathew, Senior Vice President of
Comcast's Western New England Region, which includes western
Massachusetts. "This effort is
part of our ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families
to the Internet and provide resources to help them fully
participate in educational opportunities and the digital
economy."
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation
(Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that
connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused
on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million
customer relationships across the United
States and Europe. We
deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast
Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading
entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed
Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC
and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable
networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky
News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at
Universal Parks and Resorts in the United
States and Asia.
Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more
information.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comcast-launches-seven-wifi-connected-lift-zones-across-western-massachusetts-301285949.html
SOURCE Comcast NBCUniversal