Comcast announced it has now connected more than six million low-income Americans to the Internet through its Internet Essentials program, which is the largest broadband adoption program for low-income families in the U.S.
That total includes 30,400 individuals in Delaware.
The company connected more than two million people in the last year alone, which is the largest annual increase in the program’s history.
The company also announced it will significantly expand eligibility – for the eleventh time in seven years – to low-income veterans, nearly one million of whom live within the Comcast footprint.
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.
“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,” said David L. Cohen, senior executive vice president and chief diversity officer. “We’re excited to extend that same opportunity to more than one 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.”
Since 2011, Comcast has invested more than half a billion dollars to support digital literacy training and awareness, reaching more than 8.5 million low-income Americans, according to a release. In addition, the company has sold more than 85,000 heavily subsidized computers that come with a $150 price tag.
Comcast attributes some of the recent growth of Internet Essentials to its mobile application, which now accounts for more than a third of all enrollments. Moer people at all income levels are accessing the web via mobile device.
The move to extend Internet Essentials eligibility to low-income veterans is the second largest expansion in the program’s history. For details on how to apply, please visit: www.internetessentials.com/apply.
According to the U.S. Census American Community Survey, 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.
