Comcast doubles speed for discounted broadband service to low-income families

Internet Essentials raises speed to 20 Mbps

August 4, 2015 at 1:24 p.m. | Updated August 5, 2015 at 3:29 a.m.

by Staff Report

FILE - This Feb. 11, 2011 file photo shows the Comcast logo on one of the company's vehicles, in Pittsburgh. Wall Street appears increasingly convinced Comcast’s $45.2 billion purchase of Time Warner Cable is dead. telling indicator is the gap between the value Comcast’s all-stock bid assigned to each Time Warner Cable share and Time Warner Cable stock’s current price. That was at its widest point yet Thursday, April 23, 2015, a signal that investors are giving just 20 to 30 percent odds that the deal will go through, said Nomura analyst Adam Ilkowitz. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
FILE - This Feb. 11, 2011 file photo shows the Comcast logo on one of the company's vehicles, in Pittsburgh. Wall Street appears increasingly convinced Comcast’s $45.2 billion purchase of Time Warner Cable is dead. telling indicator is the gap between the value Comcast’s all-stock bid assigned to each Time Warner Cable share and Time Warner Cable stock’s current price. That was at its widest point yet Thursday, April 23, 2015, a signal that investors are giving just 20 to 30 percent odds that the deal will go through, said Nomura analyst Adam Ilkowitz. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
photo The Comcast logo is displayed on one of the company's vehicles.

Comcast announced today it is doubling the download speed of its Internet Essentials broadband service for low-income families and will begin providing Wi-Fi service, including a Wi-Fi router, at no additional cost.

Now entering its fifth year, Internet Essentials is the nation's largest and most comprehensive high-speed Internet adoption program and has connected more than 13,500 Tennessee families. It provides high-speed Internet service to qualified low-income families for $9.95 a month and gives such families the option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for under $150, and multiple options for free digital literacy training.

The program was created to provide easier access to the Internet and close the so-called Digital Divide that separates communities into information haves- and have-nots based on socio-economic conditions.

"The Digital Divide isn't confined to certain buildings or neighborhoods in Chattanooga or in any other city or town," Comcast Regional Senior Vice President Doug Guthrie said in a statement today. "From day one, our goal has been to make Internet Essentials available wherever inequality exists, and to keep enhancing and expanding the program to serve the broadest number of families possible across entire communities, wherever they might be located."

Nationwide, Comcast's Internet Essentials has connected more than 500,000 families, or more than 2 million low-income Americans, at discounted rates. Since the program's inception, Comcast has made 25 key enhancements to Internet Essentials, and this is the third time in four years Comcast has increased speeds for customers.

The current speed is doubling to up to 10 Mbps downstream, which is enough to power multiple devices simultaneously. In addition, by offering Wi-Fi routers, customers will be able to connect any Internet-enabled device, including tablets and smartphones, which could help save money on monthly wireless bills.

To receive the faster Internet speed, customers simply need to reboot their cable modems. Existing customers who would like a Wi-Fi router just need to call the dedicated call center and either request to have one shipped to them for free, or they can schedule a professional installation, also for no additional cost.

To qualify for Comcast's Internet Essentials program, families must have at least one child eligible to receive free or reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Programs.

For more information or to apply for the program, visit www.InternetEssentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376, or, for Spanish, 1-855-765-6995.

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