Last October, Comcast launched its partnership with the Natomas Unified School District at Jefferson School to connect families with free in-home WiFi access through Comcast’s Internet Essentials program.
Comcast’s Internet Essentials program has three key components. It includes low-cost high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month, the option to purchase a computer for less than $150 and multiple digital literacy training offerings.
By partnering with Comcast, the Natomas Unified School District is able to offer 1,000 families in the District with free access to high-speed in-home WiFi by picking up the tab for the reduced $9.95 a month rate. This innovative partnership is providing students with the opportunity to conduct web-based research at home, work on school projects and advance their education.
One in five families with a student in the Natomas Unified School District is currently without in-home Internet access, said Superintendent Chris Evans during a media interview, “As we’re planning to add more technology to our schools, we decided we should set aside some money and give us an opportunity to close the digital divide.” The digital divide is the difference between those students who have access to the internet resources they need to succeed, and those that do not.
The Jefferson School event on October 26 was the first of at least three events with Natomas Unified and it connected multiple families to the Internet and generated widespread awareness of the Internet Essentials program.
“Here at Comcast, addressing the digital divide head-on has long been a priority for our company,” said David L. Cohen, Comcast’s Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer, “We believe the Internet has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities and inspire a new generation of leaders.”
Comcast’s partnership with Natomas Unified is just one example of Comcast’s ongoing commitment to support Sacramento’s youth and provide them with access to the technology they need to thrive both in school and ultimately in their careers.
“As education uses computers more and more, there’s an assumption that a child will have Internet access at school and at home,” said Philip Arndt, Comcast Director of Government Affairs. “It really opens up the world of education – through the Internet – for research.”
This innovative public-private partnership furthers Comcast’s commitment to Sacramento’s connectivity – creating opportunities for the region’s neighborhoods, youth and underserved populations. Just this year Comcast has awarded $24,000 in scholarships to local students in need of financial aid and continues to offer low-cost computer and Internet packages to support Sacramento youth.
Comcast is woven into the fabric of the Sacramento community and is building a strong foundation for the future. We are dedicated to maintaining strong community partnerships that benefit Sacramento’s next generation of leaders and achievers, and our partnership with the Natomas Unified School District will help us do just that.
If you would like to learn more about Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, you can find out all you need to know online here.
