Comcast Offers Up To Six Months Of Complimentary Internet Service And Amnesty Program For Low-Income Families in Connecticut And Across The U.S.

Comcast today announced it will include up to six months of complimentary service for any new family nationwide that has not yet applied for Internet Essentials. Families who are approved for Internet Essentials between August 4th and September 20th, 2014 will receive up to six months of Internet service. Since 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than 350,000 families, or about 1.4 million low-income Americans, to the power of the Internet. This includes more than 2,500 families in Connecticut. The program is available in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

Comcast also announced an amnesty program for certain low-income families who could qualify for Internet Essentials, but have a past due balance. Customers who have an outstanding bill that is more than one year old are now eligible for the program. Comcast will offer amnesty for that debt for the purpose of connecting to Internet Essentials, so long as the customer meets all the other eligibility criteria.

“Internet Essentials is about transforming lives and inspiring a new generation of leaders to be digitally ready to access the information and tools all students need to succeed in the 21st century,” said Mary McLaughlin, Comcast Senior Vice President of the Western New England Region, which includes Connecticut. “By offering up to six months of complimentary Internet Essentials service, along with an amnesty program, we hope to convince even more families that there is no better school supply than having broadband Internet at home. With it, kids can do their homework and parents can be more connected to their children’s teachers and schools.”

In March, Comcast announced the indefinite continuation of Internet Essentials, well beyond its original three-year commitment. The program’s impact continues to grow as the company works to expand its national and local efforts to address the digital divide for eligible students and families. Since its launch in 2011 to the end of June 2014, Comcast has:

• Sold nearly 30,000 subsidized computers at less than $150 each.
• Distributed nearly 37 million Internet Essentials brochures at no cost.
• Broadcast more than 4 million public service announcements, valued at nearly $51 million.
• Welcomed nearly 2.2 million visitors to the Internet Essentials websites in English and Spanish and the Online Learning Center.
• Fielded more than 2.3 million phone calls to our Internet Essentials call center.
• Offered Internet Essentials in more than 30,000 schools and 4,000 school districts, in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
• Partnered with thousands of community-based organizations, government agencies, and federal, state, and local elected officials to spread the word.
• Dedicated $1 million in grants to create Internet Essentials Learning Zones, where networks of non-profit partners are working together to enhance public Internet access and increase family-focused digital literacy training in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Fresno, Miami and Seattle, among others

Based on customer surveys, we have also learned a lot about what customers think about having Internet Essentials.

· 98% said they would recommend the program to friends and families.

· 97% said they use the service so their kids can do homework.

· 90% said they were satisfied with the program.

· 82% said they use the service every day or almost every day.