Comcast Launches New Program to Extend Internet Access

DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson (left) talking with Comcast EVP
David L. Cohen (middle) and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski

The Comcast Corporation is launching a new initiative aimed at bringing inexpensive internet access to low-level income families.

The Internet Essentials program is simultaneously kicking off in 39 states and the District of Columbia. It's open to families who qualify for the National School Lunch Program, which provides free lunch to more than 29 million public and charter school students nationwide.

Speaking to WRGW over the phone, Executive Vice President David L. Cohen called the program a "continuation and refinement" of Comcast's existing goals.

"Working towards broadband adoption versus broadband deployment has always been a passion for Comcast," said Cohen, who was in town Tuesday for the DC-area launch of the program. "The Internet has the potential to narrow differences between people by providing access to education, news, entertainment, etc."

However, because of the so-called "digital divide" between the wealthy and the poor, Cohen said "the Internet exacerbates differences instead."

A recent report by Pew Research found that approximately one in four U.S. households are without a computer. In an attempt to change this, Internet Essentials will provide broadband access to qualified individuals for $9.95 a month, and Comcast is working with Dell and Acer to provide those households with computers for $150. The program will also work with local non-profit organizations to offer free computer and internet training for those who don't know how to use them.

Internet Essentials will affect more than 140,000 students in the DC-Metro area, in an attempt to aid the struggling DC Public School system. WRGW's own Michael Fische experienced DCPS firsthand.

"My school had a lot of kids that didn't have internet access," said Fische, a sophomore. "In middle school, I'd say 50% of the class didn't have it, and in high school maybe 60% were without internet access at home. I would be in classes with students who would have to stay after class or during lunch to get access to resources they couldn't get at home."

Comcast believes it can help by extending internet access to those who would otherwise never have it. "The Internet has shrunk the world, but only for the wealthy. For the poor, the world is just as big and intimidating as ever," said Cohen. "We are going to make a contribution to try and change that."

The program launched in DC on Tuesday.