[1st-mile-nm] Comcast Extends Internet Essentials Program

[Richard Lowenberg]

As it prepares for its merger with TWC, Comcast has just issued the following (with only two weeks to apply):

http://corporate.comcast.com/news-information/news-feed/internet-essentials-2014 
 
Comcast Executive Vice President David Cohen announced the company will continue Internet Essentials indefinitely -- beyond its initial three-year commitment. Internet Essentials is Comcast’s broadband adoption program for low-income families. The company also announced more than $1 million in grants to dozens of non-profit organizations across the country to create Internet Essentials Learning Zones.   They will be established in communities in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Fresno, Miami, and Seattle, among others. In addition to the grants, Internet Essentials-eligible families in the Gold Medal-recognized communities who are not currently customers can receive six months of complimentary Internet service if they apply and are approved for the program by March 18th, 2014.

(I do not see Albuquerque or any NM community on their list.   RL)

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Also today, Dr. John B. Horrigan, head of research for the F.C.C.’s National Broadband Plan and a former research director with Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project, released a new study of Internet Essentials customers that provides insights on policies that can inform the design of effective broadband adoption programs. The study reflects that Internet Essentials service is widely used by participants to do school work, that home users report it helps "a lot", and that in addition to schools, full-on participation by institutions such as libraries, banks, government agencies, and employers, plays an important role in increasing broadband
adoption and utilization.

The full research report of Horrigan’s findings is available here:
http://corporate.comcast.com/images/Final_IE_Research_Full_Paper.pdf 

(While John Horrigan is a highly respected researcher, it is interesting to note his professional relationships and work for Pew, FCC and Comcast.  RL)


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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute          www.1st-mile.org  
P. O.  Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM    87504
505-603-5200                 rl at 1st-mile.org
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