Comcast’s Internet Essentials program is such a good deal that even bankrupt Detroit couldn’t pass it up. The Detroit Public School District has purchased 40,000 netbook computers to help its students bridge the digital divide that separates rich students from poor students.
This is the right program in the right place. Only 20% of Detroit homes are currently able to access the internet so the Comcast Internet Essential offer is exactly what the city needs.
Unfortunately, having a computer at home won’t do a student much good if they can’t access the internet. That’s where Comcast’s Internet Essentials rides to the rescue.
According to CBS Detroit, “The pilot project kicks off in six schools this week and Comcast’s Gerald Smith says, through its Internet Essentials program, they’re offering the service for $10.00 a month to some families.”
That’s far more affordable than the typical cost of internet access and it’s just the beginning of the good news from Comcast. Under terms of the program, qualifying families will be able to purchase a computer for only $149.99. There’s no activation fee nor any additional equipment fees. The computer comes with free Norton Security Suite so owners will have top-of-the-line online security. Internet Essentials also comes with free parental control features that protect kids whenever they’re online. The school district new computers are equipped with Lojack which should greatly reduce potential theft problems.
Who qualifies for the Internet Essentials program? Any family with at least one child who receives free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). If your child qualifies for the free lunch program but doesn’t yet participate, you should sign them up ASAP.
There are a couple additional, but minor caveats. In order to qualify, you can’t have been a Comcast internet subscriber in the last 90 days and you can’t have any overdue Comcast bills or unreturned equipment. Seems reasonable to us.
Source: CBS
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