This is a sponsored conversation, in collaboration with Comcast. All opinions are my own.
We live in a world obsessed with the internet. Think about it; how many times a day do you use it? Most of us are constantly on our phones, laptops or desktop computers. I’m writing this on my laptop, while at the park! My family uses the internet for daily tasks like making dental appointments, ordering pizza & everything in between. Our youngest has never known a world without internet access. If you don’t think you use the internet very much, try going an entire day without it.
No internet for an entire day, could you do it? For far too many low-income households in Northern California, this is their reality. They do not have access to the internet, and cannot do many of the basic things we take for granted every day. Internet Essentials is a program created by Comcast to remedy that problem.
“If you’re not connected, then you’re left behind.” ~Jackie Joyner-Kersee
In San Jose California alone, there are over 95,000 residents living with no internet service. Only 56% of households earning less than $35K a year have broadband (internet) service at home – compared to 92% of households earning more than $75K per year. This disparity is referred to as the Digital Divide & it has a negative impact on the entire family.
Without internet service, school-aged children are not able to keep up with their schoolwork, as most homework is completed online nowadays. The impact is devastating. Children without internet access slowly start to slip behind their classmates who do have access… falling more and more behind.
Parents of these children are also affected. They are not able to search for jobs or fill out job applications online, have no access to news or other information that the rest of us have at our fingertips. Let’s not forget our elderly – they too are getting left behind.
Comcast is working hard to change this through their Internet Essentials program, which provides low-cost high-speed internet service for just $9.95 a month, and access to FREE digital literacy training. Customers also have the option of purchasing a low-cost computer for under $150. To date, Internet Essentials has connected 4 million low-income Americans to the internet! Talk about life changing, internet access is just that.
Comcast is committed to providing internet connections to EVERYONE, regardless of race, income or age!
Last week, I was able to witness the Comcast Crew at work, literally changing lives and opening doors for residents in San Jose. Comcast was at the Mayfair Community Center to announce some big news to all in attendance.
Comcast’s Senior Executive VP & Chief Diversity Officer, Mr. David L. Cohen, was joined by six time Olympic medalist & Comcast’s National Spokesperson Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Hispanic actress & cancer survivor, Adamari Lopez. Adamari is the new Hispanic Spokesperson for Comcast.
It was a full house at the Mayfair Community Center! Both young & old alike were there to learn more about the Internet Essentials plan & how their families could benefit from it. It was a diverse crowd, but they all had one thing in common – they knew the importance of having broadband service – how it could improve their lives & were eager to hear what Comcast had to say.
Big Announcements
Every year, enhancements are made to the Internet Essentials program to keep making it better and to adapt to the evolving needs of Comcast customers. This year’s no different.
First, for the fourth time in six years, Comcast will increase the program’s Internet service speeds, this time from 10/1 Mbps to up to 15/2 Mbps. More speed was the number one requested enhancement from Internet Essentials customers, & this latest increase will improve streaming quality in the home (15 Mbps is three times the speed necessary to view a high definition video), especially when multiple devices are connected to the Internet at the same time. Yay!
Second, to help family members connect to the Internet on the go and save money on their wireless bills, Internet Essentials customers will now get 40 hours of FREE out-of-home WiFi access per month. That’s equal to two hours of access every school night so kids can do their homework. Yay! This WiFi access is being offered in addition to the FREE in-home WiFi Internet Essentials customers currently enjoy.
Third, Comcast is also expanding its pilot program for low-income senior citizens, and other residents of both Fresno & Santa Clara Counties! Families whose kids qualified for free school lunch anywhere in the country were originally the only eligible group, but a while back Comcast expanded the program to include families & residents living in public housing or receiving Section 8 vouchers. Low income senior citizens in San Francisco have been eligible for the program since 2015.
But wait- it gets better! Every single family in attendance at the Mayfair Community Center received a life-changing gift from Comcast. They were each given their very own laptop and a gift card for 6 months of free internet service! 
Comcast remains committed to their belief that all households, regardless of their income or zip code, can benefit from the life-changing resources & opportunities that having home Internet service provides. I applaud their efforts and am honored to be associated with such an amazing company & equally amazing human beings.
Need more info?
English: 1-855-846-8376
Spanish: 1-855-765-6995
