Comcast Introduces Ambitious and Comprehensive Internet Essentials Broadband Adoption Program to Richmond Area

RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast was joined by Mayor Dwight C. Jones along with local school system officials, city leaders and community organizations to introduce the Internet Essentials program at a special event held today at Thomas H. Henderson Middle School in the city of Richmond.  Internet Essentials provides families with children who are eligible to receive free lunches under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) with low-cost Internet service, affordable computers and free 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 the 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.

"Internet Essentials is designed to help level the playing field for low-income families by connecting them to the Internet and the opportunities that it presents. The program will allow students and parents to access educational and other resources online, and receive free digital literacy training to ensure they are prepared to take full advantage of the benefits that the Internet has to offer," said Tom Coughlin, regional senior vice president for Comcast.

"We want all families throughout our city to have the opportunity to experience the benefits that the Internet has to offer," said Mayor Jones. "Comcast is helping to bridge the digital divide through the Internet Essentials program.  This program will enhance the quality of life for many families by helping them connect to their schools, job opportunities, healthcare resources, government services and other important informational resources."

"As educators, we see first-hand how valuable the Internet is as a resource for learning, exploration and college and career preparation," said Richmond Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Brandon.  "No student should be excluded from the opportunities that the Web presents, and we thank Comcast for making access to the Internet and computers a reality for so many of our pupils and their families."

"Broadband access and digital literacy are central to education, work and our daily lives," said Governor Bob McDonnell.  "Comcast has consistently demonstrated its commitment to these issues through programs like Internet Essentials, and Virginia is proud to support an effort that will truly make a positive impact on the lives of many families across the state."

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.

In the Richmond area, Comcast is working with a growing network of community-based organizations to spread the word about Internet Essentials and provide digital literacy training. Those organizations include the Urban League of Greater Richmond, William Byrd Community House, Voice to the World, Communities in Schools, the VA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and area Parent Teacher Associations to bring Internet access, training and technology to low-income communities across the region.

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.

SOURCE Comcast Cable

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