ALBUQUERQUE, NM - (Sept. 13, 2016) ' According to a five-year progress report, Comcast's acclaimed Internet Essentials program has helped connect 14,900 New Mexico families to low-cost, high-speed internet service at home. Nationwide, Comcast has connected 750,000 families, or 3 million low-income Americans since the program's inception in 2011.
"In the last five years, we've worked proudly with local community partners as part of the national movement to bridge the digital divide that exists among low-income families everywhere," said Chris Dunkeson, Comcast Area Vice President. "With the announcement of our expansion to HUD-assisted homes, we look forward to bringing this essential connection to even more families and homes."
The progress report comes on the heels of a recent announcement by Comcast to expand the program's eligibility to households receiving HUD-housing assistance, including public housing, Housing Choice Voucher, and Multifamily programs. In New Mexico, there are approximately 18,000 families living in HUD-assisted homes in Comcast service areas who will now have access to low-cost internet service through Internet Essentials. In total, there are up to 2 million HUD-assisted homes in Comcast's service area across the country, which, according to HUD, account for approximately 40 percent of all its households. The announcement means even more individuals, including seniors, veterans, and adults without children, are now eligible to apply to the program.
The comprehensive Internet Essentials Five Year Progress Report includes significant new milestones highlighting the program's impact on the lives of its customers since its launch in 2011. In addition to the 3 million connections delivered since its inception, the report shows that Comcast has invested more than $300 million in cash and in-kind support to help fund digital literacy training and educational initiatives, reaching nearly 4.4 million people through national and local nonprofit community partners.
The report goes on to note that, since the launch of the program, Comcast has distributed 54,000 subsidized computers and partnered with more than 9,000 community partners, including schools and school districts, community-based organizations, elected officials, and businesses who understand the importance of bringing the Internet home.
Internet Essentials Investments
Since 2011, Comcast has invested more than $300 million in cash and in-kind support to fund digital literacy initiatives nationally, reaching nearly 4.4 million people through our national and local nonprofit community partners. Additional key program milestones and facts through June 2016 include:
- Dedicated more than $1.8 million in grants to create Internet Essentials Learning Zones, where networks of nonprofit partners are working together to enhance public Internet access and increase family-focused digital literacy training in Atlanta, Baltimore Chicago, Denver, Fresno, and Seattle, among others.
- Broadcast 8.5 million public service announcements, valued at nearly $110 million.
- Provided more than 54,000 subsidized computers at less than $150 each.
- Distributed nearly 53 million pieces of Internet Essentials program material for free.
- Welcomed more than 6.4 million visitors to the Internet Essentials English and Spanish websites, and its Online Learning Center.
- Fielded more than 3.9 million phone calls to our Internet Essentials call center.
- Offered Internet Essentials to more than 55,000 schools in more than 5,000 school districts in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
- Partnered with over 9,000 community-based organizations, government agencies, and federal, state, and local elected officials to spread the word.
About Internet Essentials
Internet Essentials from Comcast is the nation's largest and most comprehensive high-speed internet adoption program. It provides low-cost high-speed internet service for $9.95 a month plus tax; 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. For more information, or to apply for the program, visit www.InternetEssentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376. Spanish speakers should call 1-855-765-6995.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed internet and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.