COMCAST ANNOUNCES $10 INTERNET ACCESS FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES

Cable and Internet provider Comcast is launching a new initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide, offering discounted web access and home computers to families that meet income requirements. The plan, called Internet Essentials, will be available wherever Comcast offers Internet services, which it currently does in 39 states. When the Comcast-NBC/Universal merger was approved, regulators also required the company to help low-income households get online.

The requirements the household must meet are:

• Is located where Comcast offers Internet service;
• Has at least one child eligible to receive a free school lunch under the NSLP;
• Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days;
• Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment.