Internet Essentials Provides Low Cost Internet, Computers and Online Training to Families with Children Eligible to Receive a Free or Reduced Price School Lunch in the National School Lunch Program
FLORENCE-The Shoals Chambers, Comcast and several elected officials met todat to kick-off the 3rd annual Internet Essentials Program. The goal of Internet Essentials is to help get more American 
families online, develop the workforce and help close the digital divide, by providing internet at $9.95 a month, an affordable computer and digital literacy trainings.
The Shoals Chamber along with Comcast and several elected officials from the Shoals area kicked off the 3rd annual While America has increasingly become a digital nation, many low-income families are left at a great disadvantage, because they don’t have Internet service at home. Internet Essentials has been designed to address this problem and help close the digital divide. It addresses all three of the main barriers to broadband adoption that research has identified: 1) a lack of understanding of how the Internet is relevant and useful; 2) the cost of a home computer and 3) the cost of Internet service. Comcast is asking for help from parents, educators, community leaders and other government officials to join in this effort, spread the word and help increase broadband adoption in Alabama.
Since the program’s launch in August 2011, Internet Essentials has enrolled upwards of 50,000 new families every six months. In the last six months alone, 70,000 new families have signed up. In addition, Comcast has distributed more than 18,000 subsidized computers; trained nearly 20,000 people; publicized the program in more than 4,000 school districts and more than 30,000 schools; broadcast nearly 2 million public service announcements and partnered with nearly 7,000 community based organizations, agencies, and officials to help spread the word about the program.
– Local community and government officials joined Comcast and the Shoals Chamber of Commerce today as they announced year three of Internet Essentials in North Alabama. Internet Essentials is an ambitious and comprehensive broadband adoption program designed to help close the digital divide for low-income Americans.
“By taking more advantage of all the resources the Internet has to offer, students can maximize their academic potential and parents can improve their job skills as well as have better access to healthcare, community and government resources,” Sara Jo Houghland, Director of Public Relations for Comcast. “Thanks to the support of our community leaders in North Alabama, Comcast Internet Essentials gives students and families 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.”
In the program’s first 22 months, nearly 220,000 families have signed up for Internet Essentials nationwide, and Comcast continues to enhance the program with new features and processes designed to accelerate enrollment in the program.
“Together, with communities like the Shoals area we are making real and significant progress in closing the digital divide in America,” said Russell Byrd, Director of Government Affairs for Comcast. “We know there is still a long road ahead and we encourage our community partners and schools to continue to spread the word about this program to families in need, especially during this critical back to school season.”
Numerous local partners joined Comcast today to address broadband adoption in the Shoals area, including Florence Mayor Mickey Hadock, Councilmembers and school officials from Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Florence, the Shoals Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the United Way and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northwest Alabama, and Shoals Scholar Dollars.
“Digital literacy is absolutely critical to workforce development,” said Chip Flornoy, Board Chairman of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. “We have a responsibility to equip our students with the skills they need in the future, and I commend Comcast for their efforts in helping bridge the gap of the digital divide through the internet essentials program.”
Internet Essentials offers eligible families low-cost broadband service for $9.95 a month. Families also can purchase an Internet-ready computer for less than $150 and access digital literacy training sessions and materials online, in print, and in person. Since the program’s start, Comcast has distributed more than 18,000 computers and trained nearly 20,000 people. Additionally, Comcast has partnered with nearly 7,000 community based organizations, agencies, and officials to help spread the word about the program.
New in 2013
To increase enrollment and continue to help close the digital divide in America, Comcast continues to enhance Internet Essentials.
