Comcast is launching a new program to provide Internet service to low income families in the US. at a discount. Dubbed Internet Essentials, the offering includes $9.95 per month Internet service and a voucher to buy a computer for $149.
“Access to the Internet has the potential to be a great equalizer and a life-changing technology. Internet Essentials helps level the playing field for low-income families,” Comcast vice president David Cohen said in a press release.
The program was required as part of Comcast’s acquisition of NBC Universal. It is available in the 39 states where Comcast does business to families who have a child participating in the National School Lunch Program and do not have an overdue Comcast bill.
The company says there will be no price increases or rental fees associated with the program, and that free Internet training also will be provided to those in the program. Customers will accepted into the program for three full school years.
Comcast promises download speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 384 Kbps for those in the program.
