Comcast offers low-cost Internet to low-income Waukegan families

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Comcast, which is introducing its new Internet Essentials in Waukegan schools and about 500 other districts in Illinois. | Ruthie Hauge ~ Sun-Times Media

Updated: November 14, 2011 12:19AM

In an effort to bridge the digital divide, Comcast is offering discounted Internet service, affordable computers and training on how to use them to qualifying low-income families in school districts across the country.

Comcast, which is introducing its new Internet Essentials in Waukegan schools and about 500 other districts in Illinois, said the program will address three of the primary barriers to broadband adoption: a lack of understanding of how the Internet is relevant and useful, the cost of a home computer, and the cost of Internet service.

Eligibility for the program will be based on student qualification for free meals under the National School Lunch program and a lack of a Comcast Internet subscription for the past three months.

“Everyone’s been talking about bridging the digital divide for years and this is a start,” said Frank Deuel, a Comcast senior manager for government affairs. “If our competitors pick up the baton and run with this, that would be great.”

Under the program, families will purchase Comcast Internet service for $9.95 per month — a discount of more than $40 from the usual price. They will also receive a coupon of $150 plus tax for the purchase of a Netbook-style computer and free training to use it. Additional benefits include no price increases, no activation fees or equipment rental fees, plus a free security program.

Deuel said Comcast is working with a manufacturer to make low-cost, Internet-ready computers available for purchase.

An estimated 40 to 50 percent of the 16,500 students in the Waukegan School District lack an Internet connection at home, said Nick Alajakis, the district’s parental and public information officer.

“Obviously, it’s (Internet) a benefit to the students and their families if it’s readily available at home,” Alajakis said. “It allows parents to communicate more easily with their child’s teacher and it opens up an entire world of research and learning opportunities.”

Last year, the district partnered with United Way and Abbott Laboratories to put refurbished computers into the homes of Waukegan students through a program called Learn to Earn. Comcast Senior Vice President LeAnn Talbot called the Internet “a great equalizer and a life-changing technology” and said it “levels the playing field” for low-income students.

She also underscored the advantages the Internet brings to parents who “can apply for jobs online or use the Internet to learn more about healthcare and government services.”

Increased Internet access was a condition of Comcast’s merger with NBC Universal, approved by the Federal Communications Commission in January. To better serve the public interest, Comcast agreed to offer Internet access to schools and libraries, expand local news coverage and programs for Spanish-speaking viewers.