In partnership with the National School Lunch Program, Comcast is trying to make it easier to understand the importance of the Internet by offering it at a deeply discounted rate to low-income families across the US, starting with Chicago. This is, in a nutshell, a brilliant move to not only help the economically disenfranchised, but also to boost a faltering economy that is trying to transition from an industrial market to one based on information and services. .
Called “Internet Essentials,” the program will offer Comcast’s Xfinity Economy Internet service with download speeds of 1.5 Mbps for $9.95 per month and includes a promise of no price or rate increases, along with a coupon that entitles eligible families to purchase a computer for less than $150.
The idea for Internet Essentials was formed after the discovery that there are 3 main barriers to widespread broadband adoption: the cost of monthly Internet service, a lack of understanding of how to use the Internet, and the cost of a computer.
There also seems to be a perception among some that the Internet is not essential to everyday life. But national research has shown that up to 3,000 new jobs can be created with just a one percent increase in broadband Internet adoption. However, only 45% of families with an annual household income of less than $30,000 have internet at home.
In addition to the obvious advantages for these students in educational settings now and in the national and global marketplace later, there are several reasons why the widespread adoption of broadband is an important concept. For starters, there is a definite transition our society is making to an Internet-centric playing field. We communicate, socialize, collect and disseminate news, and make all kinds of decisions based on the information we exchange on the Internet.
The web is becoming a strategic tool for universities to reach students who might not otherwise attend their school. We exchange money and goods, invest funds and pay bills over the Internet. We use the cloud service personally and professionally to store large amounts of data and images.
Marketing will never be the same again now that the world wide web is a major force for businesses to reach potential customers. As mentioned above, we are moving from a manufacturing society to an economy that exchanges innovations, services and information. Make no mistake about it: the transition will continue as developing countries become better at meeting world demand for manufactured goods, and at a much cheaper price than the United States can offer.
In short, the Internet is the greatest technological advance of our time, and if our society is to succeed in its impending transition, we must equip all of our citizens to exchange information digitally. And it starts with equipping our children to be able to navigate the Internet and learn to take advantage of the vast opportunities available. This particular move by Comcast, and surely other Internet providers will follow, is a reminder to all of us that gaining technical knowledge is an important step both individually and corporately.
“Having access to high-speed Internet service allows children to do their schoolwork, adults to find jobs and grow the city’s economy, and families to learn and explore together,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The Mayor went on to explain how the Internet Essentials program is a great way for city government and the business community to provide necessary solutions to the problems facing the financially disenfranchised.
In addition to discounted Internet access and computer coupons, eligible families will also receive computer protection through Norton’s Security Suite and 90 minutes of digital literacy training to help them make the most of the Internet for schoolwork and job searches. .
Qualifying families should call 1-855-8-INTERNET to request that an application be mailed to them. In addition to a completed application, families must also attach their child’s school lunch program documents. They will then be notified by mail of the status of their application in seven to ten days.
Comcast is also calling on educators, community organizations and others who want to help bring Internet to low-income families. When these individuals complete a free registration on the Comcast Partner Portal, they can access a free set of tools and resources to help introduce the program to their communities.