Comcast, Senator Tom Udall and APS Superintendent Winston Brooks Unveil Ambitious and Comprehensive Broadband Adoption Program for New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Senator Tom Udall, Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Winston Brooks and Comcast Corporation Executive Vice President David L. Cohen today announced the New Mexico launch of Internet Essentials, a program from Comcast which provides families in New Mexico with children who are eligible to receive free lunches under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) with low-cost Internet service, affordable computers and digital literacy training. The goal of Internet Essentials is to help close the digital divide and ensure more Americans benefit from all the Internet has to offer. The program addresses what research has identified as three primary barriers to broadband adoption– 1) a lack of understanding of how the Internet is relevant and useful; 2) the cost of a home computer; and 3) the cost of Internet service.

"For students in our school system, having Internet access both in their homes and at school will be a great step forward in their educational experience," said Brooks. "We need to connect with the educational potential that the Internet provides and use it as a tool not only to increase the interactivity of the learning environment, but also to train students of all ages and levels to come into the workforce or go to college prepared."

"High-Speed Internet access is no longer a luxury.  Broadband is becoming a basic necessity—for workers looking for jobs, businesses seeking customers, students doing homework assignments and families trying to stay in touch with loved ones. I am pleased to see Comcast offer this new Internet Essentials initiative since it will help young students and their families.  We have to work to make sure that broadband is available for all of New Mexico," said Udall.

According to David L. Cohen, "Internet Essentials helps level the playing field for low-income families by connecting students online with their teachers and their schools' educational resources. The program will enable parents to receive digital literacy training so they can do things like apply for jobs online or use the Internet to learn more about healthcare and government services available where they live."

Udall, Brooks and Cohen met today at the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce to discuss the implications of the program, and what the additional access to information will mean for students and families in Albuquerque and in Comcast serviceable areas across New Mexico.  

"Comcast's efforts to partner with the Albuquerque Public Schools to help bridge the digital divide for Albuquerque is extremely encouraging," said Brooks. "Now more than ever, access to online information and tools is essential for our students to grow and succeed in this digital age.  We thank Comcast for making a difference in many students' lives."

Service Details:

Internet Essentials participants will receive:

• Residential Internet service for $9.95 a month + applicable taxes;
• No price increases, no activation fees, or equipment rental fees;
• A voucher to purchase a low-cost computer for $149.99 + tax; and
• Access to free digital literacy training in print, online and in person.

Additional benefits include the Norton™ Security Suite ($160 value) for comprehensive online security protection at no additional cost.

Eligibility:

A household is eligible to participate in the Internet Essentials program if it meets all of the following criteria:

• Is located where Comcast offers Internet service;
• Has at least one child who is eligible to receive a free school lunch under the NSLP;
  • (As an example, according to the Department of Agriculture, a household of three would have to make less than $25,000 a year in income);
• Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days;
• Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment.

Comcast will sign up eligible families in the program for at least three years, through the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Any household that qualifies during this three-year period will remain eligible for Internet Essentials provided a child eligible for a free lunch remains living in the household.

For general information about Internet Essentials, visit www.internetessentials.com for English or www.internetbasico.com for Spanish. Educators or third parties interested in helping to spread the word can find more information at www.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 Cable:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

Media Contacts:
Cindy Parsons
303-603-2125, office
303-888-8550, wireless
[email protected]

Tom Garrity
505-898-8689, office
505-710-6567, wireless
[email protected]

SOURCE Comcast Cable