64,000 Low-Income Utahans Have Crossed the Digital Divide through Comcast’s Internet Essentials Program

It will be easier than ever for kids and parents to connect to news, resources, educational tools, and their friends and family networks as the 2017-2018 school year begins.

On August 15, Comcast announced its Internet Essentials program, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive high-speed Internet adoption program for low-income Americans, now connects more than four million low-income Americans to high-speed Internet service at home. In Utah, Comcast has connected 64,000 low-income Utahans, in 16,000 households to the power of the internet in their homes through Internet Essentials.

This year, Comcast is also introducing several enhancements to the Internet Essentials program. Comcast has increased the program’s Internet services speeds from 10/1 Mbps to up to 15/2 Mbps, improving streaming quality in the home and allowing multiple devices to connect to fast Internet simultaneously. In addition, Internet Essentials customers can now enjoy 40 hours of free out-of-home WiFi access per month thanks to the company’s growing network of 18 million Xfinity WiFi hotspots, including over 260,000 in Utah.

Internet Essentials provides high-speed Internet service to qualifying families for $9.95 a month plus tax, as well as the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for under $150, and multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online and in person.

Low-income households are less likely to subscribe to broadband Internet service at home compared to higher income families, which has a negative impact on the scholastic achievement of children from low-income families. A lack of Internet service at home limits the job prospects for the entire household, and limits access to healthcare, news, information, and entertainment.

Internet Essentials has an integrated, wrap-around design meant to address this digital divide. And with this year’s improvements to the program, Comcast is excited to see more families accessing the resources and information they need.

“Together with the help from community leaders, non-profit partners and schools, more than 64,000 low-income Utahans now have the opportunity to use the power of the internet at home to get ahead in work, education, and life, just by doing things online that many of us take for granted, such as completing homework, applying for jobs, researching a health condition, or paying a bill,” said Merlin Jensen, Area Vice President, Comcast.

For more on this announcement, and to learn if you or someone you know can qualify to receive low-cost Internet in the home through Internet Essentials, click here.