Comcast Kicks Off Year Three Of Internet Essentials Broadband Adoption Program In Washington, D.C. Area And Partners With DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast Executive Vice President David L. Cohen was joined today by FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel; Alma J. Powell, chair of America's Promise Alliance and honorary chair of DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative (DCPNI); Ayris T. Scales, executive director of DCPNI; and other civic and community leaders to kick off year three of Internet Essentials during a special event at Neval Thomas Elementary School in Washington, D.C.  Comcast's Internet Essentials program is the nation's largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption initiative for low-income families.  In the first 22 months of the program, Internet Essentials has connected more than 220,000 families (or nearly 900,000 Americans) nationwide - including more than 5,000 families (or more than 20,000 residents) in the Washington, D.C. market - to broadband service at home.

"Compared to a year ago we have more than doubled the number of families here in the D.C. area who are now able to complete school assignments, access government resources, apply for jobs and scholarships and pay bills at home," said Cohen.  "With the unwavering support of schools, community organizations, legislators and other partners in Washington, D.C. and nationwide, our Internet Essentials program has been making demonstrable progress in closing the digital divide."

"Broadband is fast becoming an essential part of our commercial and civic life," said Rosenworcel. "That is why the work of the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative and Comcast's Internet Essentials program is so important.  By helping students and their families get online, they enhance opportunity, strengthen communities, and help kids in school develop the skills necessary for the digital age."    

In addition to re-launching Internet Essentials in the Washington, D.C. area, Comcast and DCPNI announced a partnership to help increase digital literacy and connect more families to the Internet in the Kenilworth-Parkside neighborhood in the Northeast section of the District. As part of the partnership, 300 families with children who attend Neval Thomas Elementary School, the Parkside Campus of Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy and Educare of Washington, D.C. will receive a free computer upon enrollment in the Internet Essentials program.  In addition, Comcast will sponsor five Internet Essentials digital literacy training courses offered by DCPNI that will focus on Internet basics, finding and applying for jobs and online safety.

"The partnership between Comcast and the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative does more than create greater learning opportunities for the children and families of Kenilworth-Parkside, it serves as a model for the rest of the nation about the role and impact the business community can have," said Powell.  "It is initiatives like this, and through the collaboration of nonprofit organizations, educators, community and civic leaders, businesses and families, that we can make real and significant progress in this work to help more children succeed."

Less than one year ago, DCPNI was selected by the United States Department of Education to develop a cradle to career pipeline of support for children in the Kenilworth-Parkside community to ensure they obtain a quality education, graduate from college or vocational school and grow up to have successful careers.  Kenilworth-Parkside is one of 57 Promise Neighborhoods across the country.

"I applaud DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative and its partners for providing students and their families across the District with the resources they need to succeed in a competitive, technology-driven world," said Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray. "The Internet has become a critical educational tool and Internet Essentials expands access to children regardless of their socioeconomic situation."

"We know that access to resources such as the Internet brings with it opportunity and helps to build knowledge and skill-sets that last a lifetime and are needed to compete," said Scales. "As DCPNI focuses on providing young people and their families with a pathway for success from cradle to college, we are most excited about how our partnership with Comcast will help to do just that for the schools we work with and serve, their students, and parents, helping them to continue education, support financial literacy, attain job opportunities and more."

The Internet Essentials initiative with Comcast is the first in a series of new programs being offered by DCPNI this fall focused on youth out-of-school time and parent resources and support.

The momentum of Internet Essentials continues to increase.  Last year, more than 60 percent more families across the Washington, D.C. area enrolled in Internet Essentials as compared to 2011.  Nationwide, Internet Essentials has enrolled upwards of 50,000 new families every six months since the program's launch.  In the first six months of 2013, 70,000 new families have signed up.

In addition, Comcast has distributed more than 18,000 subsidized computers; trained nearly 20,000 people; publicized the program in more than 4,000 school districts and more than 30,000 schools; broadcast nearly 2 million public service announcements and partnered with nearly 7,000 community based organizations, agencies, and officials nationwide to help spread the word about the program. 

2013 Internet Essentials Enhancements:
To increase enrollment and continue to help close the digital divide in America, Comcast continues to enhance Internet Essentials. This year we have:

• Increased Speed - For the second time in two years, Comcast has increased its broadband speeds for Internet Essentials customers to up to 5 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream.
• Streamlined Enrollment – Comcast has further streamlined the enrollment process by expanding the instant approval process for families whose students attend schools where 70 percent or more of the students are eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program.
• Expanded Eligibility – Comcast has expanded program eligibility criteria for the second time, to include parochial, private, cyberschool, and homeschooled students.  Now, nearly 2.6 million families nationwide are eligible for Internet Essentials.
• Created an Online Application Tool – On InternetEssentials.com and InternetBasico.com, it is now easier and faster for a family to apply for Internet Essentials.  This convenient online request form is available in English and Spanish and can be accessed through any Internet-enabled computer, tablet, or smartphone. It can be used by families on computers at community centers, local libraries or at a friend's to request an application.
• Introduced Internet Essentials Opportunity Cards – Our community partners are now able to help connect low-income families to the Internet by purchasing Opportunity Cards that can be used toward the cost of paying for Internet Essentials service.

In the Washington, D.C. area, Comcast is working with a growing network of community-based organizations, including Asian American LEAD, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Byte Back, D.C. Public Library, Greater Washington Urban League, Latin American Youth Center, United Way of the National Capital Area and more to spread the word about Internet Essentials and provide digital literacy training. 

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. A household is eligible to participate if it has at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), is located where Comcast offers Internet service, has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days, and does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment. Families that enroll in the program can continue to enjoy the service as long as one child eligible to participate in the NSLP is living in the household.  For more information about Internet Essentials visit InternetEssentials.com for English and InternetBasico.com for Spanish. Educators or third-parties interested in helping to spread the word can find more information at InternetEssentials.com/partner. Parents looking to enroll in the program can call 1-855-846-8376 or, for Spanish, 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.

About DCPNI:
The DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization located in the Kenilworth/Parkside Community in Ward 7 of Washington, DC. DCPNI is one of 57 Promise Neighborhoods across the United States selected by the U.S. Department of Education. Our mission is to increase the number of children who complete their education from cradle to college and enter adulthood as productive participants in the 21st – century economy and in the civic life of their communities.

SOURCE Comcast