WEST PALM BEACH, Fla – August 29, 2017 – Today Comcast announced that Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive high-speed Internet adoption program, has connected almost a half a million low-income Florida residents in more than 120,000 households to high-speed internet service at home since it began in 2011. Florida ranks second after California among the states for the number of Internet Essentials connections.
The company also announced several key program enhancements, including:
- For the fourth time in six years, Comcast will increase the program’s internet service speeds, this time from 10/1 Mbps to up to 15/2 Mbps. More speed was the number one requested enhancement from Internet Essentials customers, and this latest increase will improve streaming quality in the home (15 Mbps is three times the speed necessary to view a high-definition video), especially when multiple devices are connected to the Internet at the same time.
- To help family members connect to the internet on the go and save money on their wireless bills, Internet Essentials customers will now enjoy 40 hours of free out-of-home WiFi access per month to the company’s growing network of 18 million Xfinity WiFi hotspots. This WiFi access is being offered in addition to the free in-home WiFi Internet Essentials customers currently enjoy.
“These amazing results would not be possible without the partnership of our elected officials, community-based organizations and school district leaders around the state standing side by side with us to bridge the digital divide,” said Derek Cooper, Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Investment for Comcast in Florida. “As we begin a new school year, we will continue to strengthen those collaborations to ensure more Floridians have access to the internet and its many valuable resources.”
Internet Essentials is meant to address each of the three major barriers to broadband adoption – digital literacy, access to computer equipment, and affordable Internet service. The program is also structured as a partnership between Comcast and thousands of school districts, libraries, elected officials, and nonprofit community partners.
About Internet Essentials
Internet Essentials from Comcast is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive high-speed Internet adoption program for low-income Americans. 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-only speakers should call 1-855-765-6995.
