Comcast and Governor Markell Introduce Broadband Adoption Experiment for Delaware.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Comcast officials announced the launch of Internet Essentials, a broadband adoption experiment.

According to a release, it addresses three of the primary barriers to broadband adoption that research has identified 1) a lack of understanding of how the Internet is relevant and useful; 2) the cost of a home computer; and 3) the cost of the Internet service. Available to low-income families in Delaware with children who are eligible to receive free lunches under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the goal of Internet Essentials is to help close the digital divide and ensure more Americans benefit from all the Internet has to offer.

"Access to the internet is important for Delaware parents looking for jobs or researching the best options for their families. Young people who enter the work world already computer literate have a head start in this digital economy," said Governor Markell. "I commend Comcast for this effort to bring broadband access into more homes and expand access to computer and digital literacy. Delaware is proud to participate."

David L. Cohen, Comcast Corp. Executive Vice President, said, "The Internet is a great equalizer and a life-changing technology. Internet Essentials helps level the playing field for low-income families by connecting students online with their teachers and their schools' educational resources and by enabling parents to receive digital literacy training so they can do things like apply for jobs online or use the Internet to learn more about healthcare and government services available where they live."

"As the country increasingly becomes a digital nation, in-classroom learning is being supplemented with digital curricula and at-home assignments," said Kuumba Academy Head of School Sally Maldonado. "Internet Essentials will help more low-income families benefit from the educational resources and assistance the Internet provides."

Comcast reported that it will sign up eligible families in the program for at least three years and through the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Any household that qualifies during this three-year period will remain eligible for Internet Essentials provided the household still qualifies for the program until that child graduates from high school.

Comcast Corp. is a provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services.

More Information:

www.internetessentials.com

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