Internet Essentials Geared Toward Low-Income Families
Posted
Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
Comcast is looking to provide Internet service to people with low incomes. Last week, representatives were in Warsaw to talk about its Internet Essentials plan. Jack Segal, vice president of public relations for the greater Chicago region for Comcast, said the idea of its Internet Essentials plan first came when Comcast entered into a deal for NBC Universal. During talks with the Federal Communications Commission, Comcast was asked what sort of things to better the communities it was in could be expected. Comcast offered up Internet Essentials. To help bridge the gap of so many families that don’t have access to the Internet, and to educate those families on the importance and potential of having the Internet, Comcast representatives have been going to different communities and engaging with media, government officials and civic leaders. In the plan, customers would receive: – residential Internet service for $9.95 a month plus tax – No price increases and no activation or equipment rental fees – A low-cost computer (an Acer notebook) for $149.99 plus tax (if desired) – Access to free digital literacy training in print, online and in person. Eligibility requirements for customers are: – to be located in an area where Comcast offers Internet service – has one child who receives a free lunch at school under the National School Lunch Program – Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days – Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment. Segal said families will need to wait a month after signing up. “Technology is always improving on our end, which allows us to offer more services to people,” said Debra Piscola, regional director of government affairs and franchising for Comcast. Piscola said that Comcast will continue to work to improve its network. “What we’ve tried to do is outreach to schools, government, community-based organizations,” said Greg Gomolka, manager government affairs, greater Chicago region for Comcast. The program had its kickoff in Chicago. And while many urban areas are in need of such a program, it may also be sorely needed in more rural areas. In the Warsaw school district alone, 2,000 kids qualify for the free or reduced lunch program, which is one of Internet Essentials’ requirements, out of 6,394 students corporation-wide. Gomolka said the hope is to work with organizations who can create programs where the Internet Essentials program can flourish. Whether that’s through providing free computers to kids who need them or providing scholarships to pay for the monthly fee, Gomolka said Comcast really wants this program known in their communities. “They say that the Internet is the great equalizer,” said Segal. “We’re looking to bring that to more people.”Whether it be through tracking students’ progress online or applying for jobs online, a big part of Comcast’s training program is to show how access to the Internet can positively impact families’ lives on a daily basis. For more information, call 855-846-8376 or for instructions in Spanish call 855-765-6995. There is also information available at www.internetessentials.com
