Comcast Kicks Off Year Four Of Internet Essentials Broadband Adoption Program In Maryland

BALTIMORE, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast today hosted a special event at Digital Harbor Foundation (DHF) in Baltimore to help raise awareness about the importance of closing the digital divide and kick off the fourth year of Internet Essentials, the company's innovative broadband adoption program. Also announced at the event was the extension of the Internet Essentials 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 to announce the latest Internet Essentials milestones and program enhancements as well as award 55 computers and six months of complimentary Internet Essentials service to students attending the event from Digital Harbor High School and Liberty Elementary School.

"Internet Essentials is about transforming lives and inspiring a new generation of leaders to be digitally ready to access the information and tools all students need to succeed in the 21st century," said Cohen. "There is no better school supply than having broadband Internet at home. With it, kids can do their homework and parents can be more connected to their children's teachers and schools."

"I'm pleased to join Comcast today in this ongoing effort to overcome barriers to broadband adoption in Maryland and throughout the country," said Governor O'Malley. "Support of our youth's pursuit of STEM careers is vital to maintaining and increasing our state's position as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship."

"By connecting the city's low-income residents to the Internet at home, Comcast is providing families with a tool crucial for success in the modern workforce," added Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "As seen here today, providing students with access to digital tools and technology education can lead to incredible innovation and promote career growth in Baltimore's technology sector."

Students attending the event heard from industry and community leaders, including 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, about the opportunity to expand their educational and learning experiences by getting online at home. They also explored projects from DHF "maker" programs focused on deepening students' interest in technology. 

"To overcome the digital divide, youth need access to both technology and tech education," Coy commented of the partnership with the company. "I'm grateful to Comcast for their commitment today to directly support the Digital Harbor Foundation's mission of fostering innovation, tech advancement and entrepreneurship in youth. This work is incredibly important to the economic vitality of Baltimore and Maryland. The digital skills gained through our maker activities, tech workforce readiness and Internet access in the home will prepare youth for success in their education now and in their future careers."

Throughout the back to school season, Comcast will actively engage with parents, teachers, non-profit 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. Customers who have an outstanding bill that is more than one year old are now eligible for the program. Comcast will offer amnesty for that debt for the purpose of connecting to Internet Essentials, so long as the customer meets all the other eligibility criteria.

Since 2011, Comcast and the Comcast Foundation have dedicated more than $200 million in cash and in-kind support to fund digital readiness initiatives nationwide, reaching more than 1.75 million people through non-profit, digital literacy partners. In 2013, Comcast announced its largest non-profit collaboration to date with Khan Academy to bring free, world-class online educational content to more low-income families. Khan Academy offers a personalized online learning experience to students, in subjects from basic math to physics, biology, economics, art history, computer science, health and medicine and more. Khan Academy has provided 400 million lessons and learners have completed over 2 billion exercise problems. Comcast has committed to airing hundreds of thousands of PSAs for and providing significant digital promotion, in both English and Spanish, of Khan Academy and its educational resources.

In March, Comcast announced the indefinite continuation of Internet Essentials, well beyond its original three-year commitment. The program's impact continues to grow as the company works to expand its national and local efforts to address the digital divide for eligible students and families. Since its launch in 2011 to the end of June 2014, Comcast has:

• Sold nearly 30,000 subsidized computers at less than $150 each.
• Distributed nearly 37 million Internet Essentials brochures at no cost.
• Broadcast more than 4 million public service announcements, valued at nearly $51 million.
• Welcomed nearly 2.2 million visitors to the Internet Essentials websites in English and Spanish and the Online Learning Center.
• Fielded more than 2.3 million phone calls to our Internet Essentials call center.
• Offered Internet Essentials in more than 30,000 schools and 4,000 school districts, in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
• Partnered with thousands of community-based organizations, government agencies, and federal, state, and local elected officials to spread the word.
• Dedicated $1 million in grants to create Internet Essentials Learning Zones, where networks of non-profit partners are working together to enhance public Internet access and increase family-focused digital literacy training in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Fresno, Miami and Seattle, among others.

Based on customer surveys, we have also learned a lot about what customers think about having Internet Essentials.

• 98% said they would recommend the program to friends and families.
• 97% said they use the service so their kids can do homework.
• 90% said they were satisfied with the program.
• 82% said they use the service every day or almost every day.

In the Baltimore area, Comcast is working with a growing network of community-based organizations, including Associated Black Charities, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chesapeake, Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore, Enoch Pratt Public Library, Family League of Baltimore City, Greater Baltimore Urban League, Living Classrooms, My Brother's Keeper, Park Heights Renaissance, United Way of Central Maryland and more to spread the word about Internet Essentials and provide digital literacy training. More than 50 community based organizations across the state of Maryland have partnered with Comcast on this initiative. 

About Internet Essentials
Internet Essentials from Comcast is the nation's largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. It provides low-cost broadband service for $9.95 a month plus tax; the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for under $150 and multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online and in-person. Eligible families must have at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program, including public, parochial, private and homeschooled students.

For more information or to apply for the program, visit www.InternetEssentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376, or, for Spanish, visit www.InternetBasico.com or call 1-855-765-6995.

About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates 30 news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

SOURCE Comcast Cable