No one has worked harder to promote the government’s new inexpensive broadband program than CheapInternet.com. And now cable giant Comcast confirms that Internet Essentials, its version of the program, is growing rapidly and exceeding its rosiest projections.
The company’s latest progress report confirms that it is now bringing low-cost, high-speed internet access to far more needy Americans than ever before.
“In just 16 months, Internet Essentials has … connected more than 150,000 low-income families, or 600,000 Americans, to the power of the Internet, most for the first time in their lives,” Comcast Executive VP David L. Cohen announced with great pride.
Thanks to federal government urging and support, several companies and consortiums have recently introduced variations of the cheap internet program. Comcast says its Internet Essentials program “is the largest, most comprehensive broadband adoption initiative designed to help close the digital divide.”
Among the Internet Essentials milestones highlighted in the new progress report are:
- Collateral – Internet Essentials has printed and shipped more than 25 million free educational and promotional pieces
- Call Center – The organization has received and responded to overa million Internet Essentials phone calls
- Low-Cost Computers – Believe it or not, they’ve already distributed more than 15,000 desktop and laptop computers for $150 or less.
- Training – Digital literacy is on the rise! Internet Essentials has already taught more than 10,000 low income Americans to use the internet.
- Dual Language Websites – More than 800,000 people have already visited Comcast’s InternetEssentials.com (English) and InternetBasico.com (Spanish) websites.
- Partnerships – The word is spreading as Internet Essentials builds partnerships with more than 7,000 community-based organizations and government agencies.
According to Comcast’s best guess, as many as 2,600,000 eligible families may live in their service areas.
Want to sign up for Internet Essentials? You may qualify if you have a child that is eligible for the National School Lunch Program in a public, parochial, private or home school.
Internet Essentials is a great program. Find out more, sign up and help your family begin to bridge the digital divide.
Source: Global Nation
Joyce LoGiudice says
I would like to be notifyied whn wnd if you expand to Las Vegas Nevada. I am a Senior on a low poverty level income and receive ak the amenities for low income EXCEPT SSI. I get Social Security and 15 dollars food stamps, along with Medic are and Medicaid. Can I get any help with internet? Thank you for your attention.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out all the low-income internet plans at this link, Joyce. Find the one that fits your needs best and enroll in that plan:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Olivia Sanchez says
I need internet service only. My zip code is 88005 Las Cruces, NM. My interenet bill was $122.23 this month and that is a rip off. Iuse it for my online classes so I must be high speed internet. Can you help me?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
It’s a little more difficult since you’re “out in the middle of nowhere”, but take a look at all the low-income programs available at this link. Hopefully one of them works for you.
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
If the Sprint cell network is available in Las Cruces, PCs for People might be a good option for you.
Barbara J. Marstiller says
I AM ON SSDI, FOODSTAMPS, AND MEDICAID. i AM 53 YEARS OLD AND MY KIDS ARE GROWN AND GONE! i CURRENTLY HAVE COMCAST BASIC CABLE AND ECONOMY INTERNET 70$ A MONTH! wHY AM i NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CHEAP OR FREE SERVICES? i LIVE ON 943$ A MONTH! LIVE ALONE, AND HAVE CUT OFF EVERYTHING POSSIBLE! i CALLED COMCAST SEVERAL TIMES BEGGING FOR AT LEAST CHEAP INTERNET AND CANCEL THE 10 CHANNEL BASIC SERVICE, THEY ARE RUDE, DISMISSIVE AND THE ONLY OPTION FOR ME THEY SAID WAS TO RAISE THE INTERNET! FROM AN ALREADY 40$ MONTH TO OVER 50, AND 10 MODEM CHARGE! WHERE IS THE HELP FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME? I live in morgantown wv, zip 26508
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You’re kind of stuck in limbo, Barbara, unless Another internet service provider (other than Comcast, that is) is available in your area. We would not recommend FreedomPop because there are other programs available for low-income Americans. The problem you face is that you can’t sign up for Comcast’s Internet Essentials because you’re already a paying Comcast customer. Seems unfair, but that’s the way it is.
However, there are other programs available and you should check them out. Here’s a page on which you can find all the low-income programs. Check them all out, particularly the AT&T program and the PCs for People programs. We hope you’ll be eligible for one of them:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Ms. Loni King says
I would like assistance with finding a broadband internet companies that have programs available in my zip code…28147… I’ve been on permanent disability since 03/2006. So, my Social Security Disability income is extremely worrisome. I’m 62 and live with my service dog.
When I lived in zip code 28144 i had U-VERSE INTERNET . However ATT has informed me that they don’t have it in my new area…. which isn’t true because they have Wi-Fi at a McDonald’s only 4 block from where I live.