Comcast is encouraging members of the public to review the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program to see if they might qualify for free or subsidized broadband access.
The program is open to households who meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being a recipient of SNAP, Medicaid, or Supplemental Security Income. Full eligibility information can be found on the FCC’s website.
As part of the pandemic era Emergency Broadband Benefit, qualified households were able to receive a $50 per month discount towards broadband service. The Affordable Connectivity Program replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit, reducing the monthly subsidy to $30 and updating the eligibility requirements. One-time discounts of up to $100 are also available for purchase of a computer or tablet.
Comcast has launched a new Internet Essentials Plus plan that offers 100mbps download speeds for $29.95/month, making it effectively free for eligible customers. The new plan provides an option in addition to the company’s original Internet Essentials plan, a $9.95/month offering that was reportedly originally developed as a FCC concession to facilitate the Philadelphia company’s merger with NBC Universal.
In 2021, the company doubled speeds on its original Internet Essentials plans to 50mbps in another reported FCC concession.
Comcast – today a huge company – grew in part to its current mega-scale through a 2000 acquisition of Suburban Cable, a company that had roots right here in Lebanon County.
Read More: How Gerry Lenfest grew a Lebanon cable company into more than a billion dollars of good
“As the world becomes more digital, it is crucial that everyone has the resources and opportunities they need to excel in today’s economy,” said Alka Patel, vice president of External and Government Affairs for Comcast’s Keystone Region.
“The Affordable Connectivity Program is a once in a lifetime opportunity that Comcast is proud to offer to any of our customers who qualify so they can get connected and stay connected to the Internet.”
More information on Comcast’s offerings can be found on the company’s website.
To check eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program, visit the application portal here.
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