This is really big news for financially-troubled Americans: Comcast, the nation’s largest cable TV company, is “indefinitely” extending Internet Essentials, the company’s subsidized broadband program for low-income families. The offer was originally scheduled to end in June 2014.
“In just two and a half years, this groundbreaking initiative has connected more than 1.2 million low-income Americans, or 300,000 families, to broadband Internet at home,” said Comcast Executive Vice President David Cohen. “Here at Comcast, addressing the digital divide head-on has long been a priority for our company. We believe the Internet has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities, and inspire a new generation of leaders.”
Internet Essentials offers low-income families with school-age children three great services: Discounted high-speed internet access, low-cost computers, and free computer training.
Impact of the merger
Critics say Comcast, the nation’s largest cable TV provider, started the program only in order to win Federal Communications Commission approval of its merger with NBC Universal. Those same critics will surely now accuse the company of extending the Internet Essentials offer only in order to win approval of its purchase of Time-Warner Cable, the nation’s second largest cable TV provider. Together, the combined entity will have 35 million customers (Comcast brings 23 million customers to the deal and Time Warner brings 12 million).
As the nation’s leading proponents of subsidized internet, we don’t care why Comcast is extending the Internet Essentials program. On behalf of the nation’s needy, we’re just happy to know that this valuable program is being continued.
Internet Essentials is currently available to students in more than 30,000 schools and 4,000 school districts spread across 39 states and the District of Columbia. Of course, the program is only available in markets already covered by Comcast – including large urban markets such as Seattle, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Miami, and Philadelphia. That could soon change, however. If the FCC approves the Time Warner merger, Internet Essentials will be dramatically expanded to New York, Los Angeles and to 19 of the 20 of the nation’s largest cities.
How Internet Essentials works
Who’s eligible for Internet Essentials’ cheap internet program? Families with at least one child eligible for free or reduced lunch as part of the federal government’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP) can sign up for high-speed broadband service for just $9.95 per month. That’s a huge savings on typical monthly internet charges, which can easily cost $49 per month and higher.
Comcast has expanded eligibility rules as the program has grown. In addition to students eligible for free lunches, it now includes children also receiving reduced-price lunches. And as cnet.com explains the expanded eligibility rules, “…in schools where at least 70% of the school population qualifies for free or reduced lunch, Comcast is offering the program to every student. This means that the 30 percent of students in those schools who don’t qualify for the free or reduced lunch program can still qualify for Internet essentials. The program also now includes students enrolled in parochial schools as well as those who are home-schooled.”
Cheap computers and training, too
Cheap internet access is just the beginning of the Internet Essentials program, because Comcast eligible households can also purchase big name computers for less than $150.
On top of that, Comcast put together printed and online digital literacy training classes and offers them to Internet Essential customers free of charge through schools, libraries and community organizations.
How popular is the program? More than one million financially-challenged American families have already signed up Internet Essentials and more than 23,000 families have purchased inexpensive laptop and desktop computers.
Defining the Digital Divide
In 2010 the Federal Communications Commission issued a report called the National Broadband Plan. It pointed out the huge gap between broadband adoption among the nation’s rich and poor and noted that 93 million Americans lacked high-speed internet access at home due to high prices and a lack of digital literacy.
That shocking gap is what’s called the Digital Divide and it’s precisely the problem that Internet Essentials was created to solve.
Will Internet Essentials expand?
Comcast isn’t stopping with families of school-age children. It’s also looking into the possibility of extending Internet Essentials or a similar program to America’s elderly.
According to cnet.com, “The company has done a pilot program with the American Association of Retired Persons or AARP to see how it can help connect more senior citizens to broadband.”
Excellent idea, Comcast. The digital divide between older and younger Americans is just as stark as the one between the rich and poor. We urge you to address the former problem just as thoroughly as you’ve addressed the latter one.
And we give you another enthusiastic “Bravo!”
Cheryl Lilja says
I am wondering if comcast is still offering “Internet Essentials” program in Pompano Beach, Fl 33064
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Only Comcast customer service can answer that question, Cheryl.
Vivian A Terry says
I have tried for 3-days to sign up but application keeps going back to the first page when I finish entering the information.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Contact comcast’s Customer service team, Vivian.
Debra Sliger says
I want internet service but my husband and myself are on Disability. Do we not quantify for the service. Our totally income is combined is 1700.00 a month.Please help us
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out a plan called PCs for People, which allows its customers to have higher monthly incomes. You can find it listed at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
D G says
One thing I would appreciate is there is a reason people have internet essentials because I am very poor. They have no problem tacking on 10.00 dollar late fees when you get behind on the bill. My bill was due on the December 26th they shut it off before christmas eve. So now when I am trying to make a payment Online I have no internet. They don’t give you a warning when they will shut it off they just do it. After they shut you off you have to Pay 11.95 in fees to reconnect the service and the rest is an administrative fee. They must be more understanding of people on a limited income. I was asking the woman if she could help me out and remove the fees she said absolutely not. I hate getting behind on bills there is just so much coming at you. It gets hard to keep up sometimes.
James Lorenzo says
The fact this internet is 995 a month is not true. Ive had it 3 months and had 120.00 in install fees. The cheap rates is an illusion. And for an install they get 60.00 for a guy connecting a wire. If you move you pay 60.00 and they advertise 9.95 a month no install fees. Thats a lie.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Don’t know what program you are enrolled in, James, but Internet Essentials has no installation fees.
Annette says
I am extremely interested in the Essentials, I tried to have AT &T installed today but unfortunately the wiring was not to regulations. So I am looking at my options. Unfortunately I am in a rough time and I really could use the internet to assist me with finding employment
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out ALL the low-income internet plans available before you choose one, Annette. You may be able to find one that fits your needs better than all the others. Here’s a link to all those plans:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
lloyd monahan says
i am 58 yrs old and currently with comcast paying about 130 a month but now that my daughter has moved out i can no longer afford this pkg im hoping that im eliable for cheaper option
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
If you are talking about cable TV, there are no low-income plans that include it. Not even Comcast. However, if you are talking about internet service, there are a number of different low-income plans you may qualify for. Here’s where you can check them all out to find the one that fits your needs best:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Laura says
I am a disabled individual, living in HUD subsidized housing. I am very discouraged that I am not able to qualify for the internet essentials program only because I have had internet in the last 90 days at a price of 90+ dollars. It is a hardship on me as I am living on a fixed income. I am rarely able to leave my apartment due to my disability. The internet is my social activity and also bill paying, research, etc. Comcast told me I didn’t qualify only for that reason. It would be like losing a lifeline for me if I wasn’t able to have internet for 90 days. Many of my friends that live in my apt complex have the $9.95 internet program, because they have’t had internet. I find this is discrimantory and feel its all about the money. They are greedy.
Jean T. says
Is the low rate Comcast offers fixed, or does it go up after a certain time?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Fixed. All the plans from all the companies offer fixed prices. You should check them all out to find the plan that works best for your needs, Jean. Here’s where you can review all the low-income plans (including Comcast’s):
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Patricia Flowers says
I’m a disabled and in need of Internet but the only one that serves me is CenturyLink. And they are not in this program. I qualify for Access at&t but they don’t service me. What am u supposed to do?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
CenturyLink is part of the program, Patricia. It’s program is called Internet Basics. But don’t be too hasty in deciding that it is the only program available in your area. Here’s a link to all the low-income programs. Make sure that you check out PCs for People and 4GCommunity before making any decisions:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
FrancineGerhardt says
I cannot emphasize how great it would be for me, a senior citizen to have internet. Appts with Dr and lab results. Just so many things for 75yr old. Driving days will not last much longer for health reasons and cost for very little miles.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out our entire list of low-income internet plans at the following link, Francine. Check each of the programs carefully and you may find that you qualify for more than one plan that’s available in your area:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Lynne L says
How will we know when, and how to apply for the cheaper internet.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Keep coming back to CheapInternet.com because we cover all the news, Lynne.
You can also sign up for our newsletter by putting your email address in the “Sign Up For Our Newsletter” box in the upper right hand corner of this page.
Mya Calvo says
I will like to enroll in Internet Essentials.com Comcast program which is needed highly for my child who attend school.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
If you qualify, you can find all the necessary Comcast contact info on our Internet Essentials page. You’ll also find info on all the other low-income Internet programs. We would suggest that you check them all out before deciding on Internet Essentials:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Mrs. A says
A few years ago we looked into the low cost for low income information. The problem we had was that my daughter was being homeschooled and needed high-speed internet to go to school. Because she needed high-speed internet we were not able to take advantage of the program. The internet service they offer at low cost was too slow for her to go to school. So we have been paying outrageous amounts of money for several years 4 Hour internet service with two disabled people in our home. Thanks for listening.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out Internet Essentials, Mrs. A. The program has expanded in the last few years and is now available not just to families who have at least one public school child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program, but also to qualified students in parochial schools, private schools, and homeschools.
Go to this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet/internet-essentials
Doris Tucker says
I would like to know if the Internet Essentials program for seniors is available in the Los Angeles Ca area
alecia Morgan says
Where I live in the Santa Cruz mountains, (just over the hill from Silicon Valley) Comcast charges, after ‘teaser’ rates expire up to $150 a month with taxes and fees and rentals for JUST internet connection. There is NO broadband available as AT&T refuses to put in the necessary repeaters and some new wires. There is NO cell phone reception without driving five minutes or more.
I tried to find out about income limits for seniors for the above mentioned ‘special for low-income seniors’ but could not find it.
If Facebook and Google can provide ‘low cost’ internet for other countries, why not in America??
Mary says
After I pay for the roof over my head I have about 120.00 left for bills… ATT charges 47.00 for my internet which I’m about to drop & it’s less then 1 mgbt per sec I use it to stream the t5v since I canceled it 1 1/2 yrs. ago. I need my internet as it’s the only sorce of entertainment I have. I need a cheaper one. I can’t afford it any longer.
charlie says
I wonder if anyone at comcast really did any work in picking AARP as their pilot program for seniors. Did they even look at AARP’s ‘perks’ for members.
Restaurants,
Hotels
CRUISE SHIPS???
AARP is set up for rich or well off retired people. Anyone with low income won’t be even be going to restaurants, let alone all these travel destinations.
I quit AARP after a couple years because it didn’t offer me anything tangible.
Comcast should get their discount members from some place like the Lifeline program which already covers children and all Low income families…and SENIORS. How about VETERANS, too.
Sami Obermeier says
Let me know when Seniors become eligible as I live on SS alone, and struggle each month to just make payments to keep ends meeting. I presently have Cox and they dont appear to have anything for Seniors as of this time. I’d change to any company that could give us a fast internet speed that is reliable without a bunch of headaches of staying logged in and efficient. Thnx!!
Thomas says
That’s awesome. Good for them.
Mary says
I called to apply today & the comcast rep repeatedly stated it is NOT high speed internet, it is 5mbps. I’m not very technical, but I believe the Comcast rep would know. It’s great low income people have new ways to access the web, but it’s not the same service others receive.
Lee Vanderlin says
I don’t believe it; the slowest that they have is fast enough for me, and I have two Roku’s, 3 laptops and 2 cell phones!
Chuck says
Retired, no kids!!! I need cheap internet. Duh!!!!
Kathryn Scott says
Disabled 1 grown child not at home, Trying to take online classes where everything is done via watching online video’s of the lectures. Is there any help out there for a very low incomed adult without a child at home who is going to online school (to include some Khan Academy courses. Live in WA.
Anything?