From Michelle McGovern, Vice President, Government Affairs, Florida Region
Summer is quickly coming to a close and kids and their families are prepping for a new school year. As a mom, I know the drill. Clothes, school supplies, getting up early, all to make sure they are ready to succeed. These days, along with notebooks and pencils, parents understand that internet access is also key to ensuring their child’s success. From online classes, to research, to submitting that final paper, having always-on access to the internet is vital to ensuring students’ academic progress.
Unfortunately, lack of access to high-speed internet service is still the reality for too many Florida families, creating unnecessary barriers to students’ success. The good news is that Comcast offers Floridians low-cost internet options to meet families’ online needs for the start of the school year.
Affordable Home Internet
We want families across the Sunshine State to know that we recognize cost is a barrier to high-speed internet service, and we’ve heard your frustrations and challenges with getting home internet that is safe, reliable and with simple pricing. About four-in-ten lower income adults do not have home broadband service (43%), or a desktop or laptop computer (41%), according to a 2021 study by the Pew Research Center, but help is available. Let me break down your best options to get online at home and in time for the next school year:
- Recently receiving “Best” ratings by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s Honor Roll of Low-Cost Plans, for families who need a no-frills low-cost option, Comcast’s Internet Essentials program offers home internet service starting at just $9.95/month. This includes speeds up to 50 Mbps, free equipment, no credit check and no term contract. Residents can also receive speeds up to 100 Mbps with Internet Essentials Plus for $29.95/month. A recent CNN Underscored article outlined how various plans can successfully support a family during the school year with online classes, web browsing, sending emails and streaming. To learn if you are eligible for the program, please visit Xfinity.com/internetessentials.
- Earlier this year, we announced our NOW lines of service, where we offer all-in pricing without contracts or credit checks for both home Internet and mobile plans. Offering higher speed tiers without eligibility requirements, NOW Internet costs just $30/month (for 100 Mbps) and $45/month (for 200 Mbps), which can easily be combined with NOW Mobile for as low as $55/month total.
Online Community Centers
If home internet is not an option, Comcast has created 63 “Lift Zones” at community centers from coast to coast across Florida to offer free WiFi access. With more than 1,250 Lift Zone locations nationwide, these active online learning hubs, not only offer free internet access but often classes and other learning opportunities with a Digital Navigator to gain an understanding of online resources. Who are Digital Navigators? Trusted experts affiliated with local nonprofits, educational institutions and governmental organizations who are trained to help people learn how to get online, use devices and acquire digital skills.
“We’re trying to address the needs of this community which are many when it comes to job training, job preparation, job placement,” said Patrick Franklin, Urban League of Palm Beach County’s CEO and President. “That’s the role that we play and that’s the role that Comcast has played with this Lift Zone here in West Palm Beach. We couldn’t do it without the partnership with Comcast.”
Lift Zones are a critical connection point for those who do not have access to the Internet elsewhere. In fact, four out of 10 Lift Zone users report they would not have Internet access without it, and 56% say that Lift Zones are critical to their success at school, work or managing tasks online.
Here are just a few of our Lift Zone partner organizations that offer digital learning. Click here to find a Lift Zone near you.
- Boys & Girls Club Big Bend – Sunrise Place Club (2525 Texas Street, Tallahassee)
- JAMS – Jacksonville Arts & Musical School (3315 N Liberty Street, Jacksonville)
- Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade-Northwest Club (10915 NW 14th Ave, Miami)
Having a fast, reliable and secure internet connection is a must have in today’s digital age. Whether it’s students doing homework and research, or adults applying for jobs, working remotely or communicating with your doctor–everything happens online. Here in Florida, we are committed to bridging the digital divide and fostering a future of unlimited possibilities.
To read more about our regional digital divide initiatives, click on Lift Zone Connects Historic West Palm Beach Center with High-Speed Internet or Apalachee Ridge Estates Technology & Learning Center.
