Comcast is expanding its low-cost web connections for veterans to expand even more its Internet Essentials, which has already connected more than 6 million low-income Americans to the Internet, including 19,200 persons in the Chattanooga area.
The cable TV giant announced Monday the 11th expansion of its 7-year-old program for low-income Americans. Nearly 1 million veterans who live within the Comcast footprint, including 20,000 in Tennessee, are eligible for the expanded Internet Essentials program announced Monday.
According to the United States Census Bureau's 2016 American Community Survey, less than 70 percent of low-income veterans have Internet access, and about 60 percent own a computer.
Internet Essentials provides 15 megabytes-per-second Internet service, along with in-home WiFi, for $9.95 a month, plus tax, for eligible households. Users also have the option to buy an Internet-ready computer for under $150.
Since 2011, Comcast has also invested more than $500 million to support digital literacy training and awareness, reaching more than 8.5 million low-income Americans. In addition, the company has sold more than 85,000 of the discounted-price computers.
"This program has had an enormous impact on millions of families and children who now have high-speed Internet at home, many for the first time in their lives," David L. Cohen, senior executive vice president and chief diversity officer, said in a statement today. "We're excited to extend that same opportunity to more than 1 million, low-income veterans. Veterans have stood up for our country; now it's time for us to stand up for them by providing access to life-changing digital tools and resources."
In Tennessee, Comcast said more than 200,000 persons have benefited by their program to help bridge the so-called "digital divide" between those who can afford Internet service and function in the digital economy and those who do not.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Census, 81 percent of all U.S. households subscribe to broadband at home, but only 63 percent of households with an annual income of less than $35,000 do.
To attack that problem, Internet Essentials offers training in digital literacy skills and options to buy a computer and get lower cost Internet service for lower income families receiving food stamps, free or reduced lunches at school or participating in other government relief programs. The program is also structured as a partnership between Comcast and tens of thousands of school districts, libraries, elected officials, and nonprofit community partners.
Comcast in December gave away 50 laptop computers to students at Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and pledged $10,000 to Chattanooga's Tech Town for programs to provide digital literacy to help more persons understand how to connect and use the internet.
Comcast said it has connected more than 2 million people in the last year alone, which is the largest annual increase in the program's history.
Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or at 757-6340