Comcast’s has connected more than eight million low-income people to the internet since 2011, including 600,000 in the state of Texas alone. The company has now announced Dell Technologies is joinging Comcast’s Internet Essentials program – the nation’s largest and most successful adoption program for low-income individuals. As part of this new partnership, the companies will provide more than 2,500 free laptops to students, seniors, veterans, and adults in need. In addition, Dell Technologies will provide funding to upgrade 15 computer labs at local nonprofits in different cities, including two senior community centers in Houston.
“At Dell Technologies, we believe providing people and communities with access to technology is a critical first step to sparking the kind of innovation that drives human progress.” says Jeremy Ford, Vice President of Giving and Social Innovation at Dell Technologies. “We’re thrilled to be working with Comcast as part of its Internet Essentials program to not only connect more low-income households to the Internet, but also to provide them with the technology they need to thrive in a digital world.”
Comcast has expanded its Internet Essentials to include all qualified low-incom households in its service area. This expansion estimates a total of nearly seven millions households that will now have access to low-cost internet service. This doubles the total number of previously eligible households. This follow an expansion from last year to include participation from an estimated one million low-income veterans.
“The research on the causes of the digital divide is very clear,” says David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast NBCUniversal. “One of those reasons is that many low-income households either do not own a laptop or cannot afford to buy one. As a result, this initiative with Dell Technologies will help us connect more households to the Internet at home so students can do their homework, parents can look for and apply for jobs, and veterans and seniors can keep in touch with friends and family who may be scattered around the world.”
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