In an era of contention over policy and politics, there is
widespread agreement among policymakers and politicians regarding the manifest
importance of access to the Internet and use of the Internet as we go about our
daily lives. That importance – when it comes to enhancing our educational
prospects, our employment opportunities, our relationships among family and
friends, and so much more – needs no elaboration.
And, fortunately, there is widespread agreement regarding
the importance of making high-speed Internet access available on a ubiquitous
basis, so that, to the extent possible, existing "digital divides"
are eliminated, or at least reduced. With that in mind, in the past, I have
acknowledged the contribution of Comcast's Internet Essentials
program to the cause of making broadband Internet access more widely available
to low income persons, while, at the same time, funding programs that subsidize
the purchase of computers and support digital literacy.
During its eight years of existence, Comcast has continued
to expand the Internet Essentials program from its initial focus on
families with children eligible for a free lunch under the National School
Lunch Program. Please see my blogs, Comcast's "Internet
Essentials Program Milestones and Enhancements" (2017) and "Comcast's
Internet Essentials Plays An Essential Role" (2018), for a description
of the ongoing program enhancements, such as expansion of eligibility to
low-income seniors and veterans, just during the past two years.
Now, with its latest announcement today, Comcast is once
again enhancing the Internet Essentials program, and in a significant
way. It is expanding program eligibility to include all qualified low-income
persons in its service area. Comsast says the expansion will increase the number
of eligible low-income households by three million – this on top of the two
million households already connected. Before today's announcement, Comcast says
the Internet Essentials program already has connected more than eight
million low-income persons.
The subsidization of the purchase of computers will continue,
along with digital literacy training programs. Without these
"adoption-promoting" prongs of the Internet Essentials program,
the significant expansion of Comcast's support for the availability of "access"
would not be nearly as effective.
By no means is Comcast the only service provider, computer
or other device distributor, or other player in the Internet ecosystem that has
contributed in a positive way to enhancing Internet access and adoption. Efforts
by other firms in the private sector have been important and impactful.
But with its announcement today regarding the significant
expansion of its Internet Essentials program, Comcast deserves our
acknowledgement of its ongoing positive contribution – and our thanks.
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