Member News Archives - Indiana Cable and Broadband Association

Back to School, Back to Savings with Student Offers For Indiana’s Collegiate Crowd

August 12, 2024

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New year, new you, and a new Internet plan to keep you connected to what you love most!

Are you ready for the new school year? Whether you’re a freshman living away from home for the first time or a senior excited to enter the workforce next year, you’ll need Internet and Mobile to stay connected, turn in assignments, play the latest games and stream live sports on Peacock.

JUST FOR STUDENTS

University students living off campus may be eligible for Xfinity Internet deals for as low as $25 per month for 12 months, with plug-and-play WiFi equipment included, a one-year price guarantee, and no annual contract. Plus, you don’t have to worry about missing a deadline with the Xfinity network’s 99.9% reliability, keeping you (and your roommates) connected. The more speed you need, the more benefits you’ll unlock with a free Peacock account, bundled offers with Xfinity Mobile, and a Mastercard gift card that can be used on school expenses or just for fun.

Take a peek at our offerings below (Fast and Gigabit customers get gift cards!) and log in with your school email to get started. After you’ve explored all that Xfinity Internet has to offer, visit Xfinitystudenthub.com to enter the “Xfinity’s Share Your Vacay Your Way” sweepstakes or play our “Xfinity Snack Attack” game to show off your snacking speed to enter the sweepstakes.

College student enjoying Xfinity's fast internet network while saving money.

PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS

If you are receiving a Pell Grant this year or qualify for programs like the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, or SNAP, you may be eligible for Comcast’s Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus. These plans provide affordable home Internet starting at $9.95/mo for 50 Mbps, along with low-cost computers, free WiFi hotspots and free Internet training. If you were affected by the Affordable Connectivity Program ending in May, you also qualify for Internet Essentials.

Navigating college can be challenging, but your Internet connection doesn’t have to be. Comcast is here to keep you connected so you can make the grade.

GET YOUR OWN PHONE PLAN WITH NOW MOBILE

Did you know that 53% of millennials and Gen Z are currently on their parents’ phone plan? Many note that it is cheaper to pay their parents back for their share of a family plan than it is to get their own plan. While that is true for the major mobile providers, with NOW Mobile, you can get your very own plan that may cost less than your portion of the family plan.

Students enjoying music from a cell phone from NOW Mobile, which offers low cost pre-paid plans.

NOW Mobile is Comcast’s new prepaid mobile service that is backed by the Xfinity network. With access to over 20 million Xfinity WiFi hotspots, it’s easy to stay connected when you’re on the move, including libraries, coffee shops, in stadiums and more! Get NOW Internet and NOW Mobile together for $55 per month, and then $25 for each additional line. NOW Mobile provides unlimited 5G data, talk, and text.

Even better for college students, NOW Mobile requires no contracts or credit checks. If you are an international student studying in the US this year, you know how hard it can be to find a phone plan that doesn’t require a social security number and doesn’t lock you into a contract. With NOW Mobile, you can sign up, pause, and cancel anytime, so you don’t have to worry about paying for a plan you won’t use when you go back home for the summer.

STREAM FOR LESS

You deserve a study break, and with the new StreamSaver options, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Stream seamlessly by adding the new Xfinity StreamSaver Bundle for only $15/month for Netflix Standard with ads, Peacock Premium and Apple TV+. Customers can enjoy popular and award-winning TV shows and movies like Netflix’s Emily in Paris and Atlas, Peacock’s Love Island, and Severance and Presumed Innocent from Apple TV+. They will also have access to thousands of hours of live sports including MLB Friday Night Baseball from Apple TV+; NFL Football and WWE (starting in 2025) from Netflix; and NFL Football, Big Ten, Premier League, FIFA World Cup, Golf, WWE, and NASCAR.

For students that yearn for exceptional Spanish-language programming, the recently announced NOW TV Latino offers up 25+ live Spanish-language streaming channels, plus Peacock for $10/month – from live and on-demand shows and movies to live news.

Cheerful student watching her favorite shows through StreamSaver on the Xfinity network.

To learn more about student-exclusive offers, visit Xfinity.com/student. To explore streaming plans, customers can visit Xfinity.com.

Source: Comcast

Mediacom Communications wraps up Summer Internship Program

August 9, 2024

Mediacom Communications Corporation announced that its 2024 corporate summer internship program has successfully concluded. On Monday, June 3rd, fourteen college students began the 10-week-long program at Mediacom’s Blooming Grove headquarters. This group of interns is studying at schools all over the country and came to Mediacom to be fully immersed in departments ranging from marketing to cybersecurity. The goal of this program is to enhance the students’ skills and expose them to experiences in a professional corporate environment, and after an engaging summer, that goal has been accomplished.

Since the program’s inception in 2003, Mediacom’s career achievement program has given local college students the opportunity to develop their professionalism. This exposure has allowed the interns to explore their interests and apply their college coursework to obtain hands-on experience in their respective fields. The students were also able to interview employees from Mediacom field locations and attend meetings within their departments to get better insight into how everything comes together within the company.

The paid internship includes several training sessions, such as behavior in the workplace, executive presence, respect, resume building, and interview practice. Furthermore, the interns were also able to engage with senior executives at weekly Lunch and Learns with departments including Marketing and Management Information Systems. The interns worked closely with their supervisors and on current projects within their specialty areas. Additionally, each intern completed a career exploration project in which they interviewed Mediacom employees outside of their department so that they could explore several career paths and focuses.

Since its inception, 143 students have participated in Mediacom’s corporate internship program and 20 have gone on to take full-time positions at the company’s headquarters.

“This internship has allowed me to grow professionally and utilize the information I’ve been taught in school,” said Legal Affairs Intern Kelly Tom. “The relationships I’ve made with the other interns and within my department have created an environment that makes me look forward to coming to work. While each intern is fully immersed in their separate departments, we all find a way to catch up and work together throughout the day.”

At the end of the program, each intern presented their final project to a large group that included their Mediacom supervisors as well as other senior executives. These presentations allowed the interns to document their key responsibilities, outcomes, and learning experiences from the past 10 weeks. Presenting in front of 75 people gave each intern a chance to grow their public speaking skills, as well as a platform to express gratitude to their supervisors and the entire Mediacom family for their support during the program.

Source: Mid Hudson News

Helping Families and Students Get Online Across Indiana

August 6, 2024

Despite our best efforts to advocate for its continuation, earlier this year, the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has sadly come to an end. The ACP was established by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has helped 23 million households pay for internet service, including 425,968 Hoosiers. While the loss of ACP is an unfortunate development for families who have not had to worry about the cost of their internet bill, there are affordable alternatives.

As Comcast bridges the digital divide, we note that one in 6 US households don't have desktop or laptop or tablet in their home - from US Census Bureau.

As summer is quickly coming to a close, and school children and their families are prepping for a new school year, along with notebooks and pencils, parents understand that internet access is key to ensuring their child’s success. From online classes to research to submitting that final paper, having always-on access to the internet is vital in ensuring students succeed academically. The good news is that Comcast offers Indiana residents low-cost internet to meet families’ online needs for the start of the school year.

Affordable Home Internet

We want families across the state to know that we are listening. We’ve heard your frustrations and challenges with getting home internet that is safe, reliable and with simple pricing. About four-in-ten adults with lower incomes do not have home broadband services (43%) or a desktop or laptop computer (41%) according to a 2021 study by the Pew Research Center. Let me break down your best options to get online at home and in time for the next school year.

Recently receiving “Best” ratings by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s Honor Roll of Low-Cost Plans, for families who need a no-frills low-cost option, Comcast’s Internet Essentials program offers home internet service starting at just $9.95/month. This includes speeds up to 50 Mbps, free equipment, no credit check and no term contract. Residents can also receive speeds up to 100 Mbps with Internet Essentials Plus for $29.95/month. A recent CNN Underscored article outlined how various plans can successfully support a family during the school year with online classes, web browsing, sending emails and streaming. Both plans have received a “Best” rating by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s Honor Roll of Low-Cost Plans. To learn if you are eligible for the program, please visit Xfinity.com/internetessentials.

Earlier this year, we announced our NOW lines of service, where we offer all-in pricing without contracts or credit checks for both home Internet and mobile plans. Offering higher speed tiers without eligibility requirements, NOW Internet costs just $30/month (for 100 Mbps) and $45/month (for 200 Mbps), which can easily be combined with NOW Mobile for as low as $55/month total.

As Comcast bridges the digital divide, Project UP has connected more than 10 million low-income Americans to the internet since 2011.

Online Community Centers

If home internet is not an option, Comcast has created 18 “Lift Zones” at community centers throughout Indiana to offer free WiFi access. With more than 1,250 Lift Zone locations nationwide, these active online learning hubs, not only offer free internet access but often classes and other learning opportunities with a Digital Navigator to gain an understanding of online resources. Who are Digital Navigators? Trusted experts affiliated with local nonprofits, educational institutions and governmental organizations, who are trained to help people learn how to get online, use devices and acquire digital skills.

“We’re seeing the impact of the digital divide happen in real time – affordability, access, and gaps in digital skills knowledge affect many of the families who participate in the Financial Stability Alliance and Free Community Tax Service programming,” said Randy Rogers, President & CEO, United Way of South Central Indiana. “Working together with Comcast and the City of Bloomington, investments in our community like laptops and continued affordable internet access can – and will – change the lives of the individuals and families our nonprofit partners serve every day.”

Lift Zones are a critical connection point for those who do not have access to the Internet elsewhere. In fact, four out of 10 Lift Zone users report they would not have Internet access without it, and 56% say that Lift Zones are critical to their success at school, work or managing tasks online.

Here are just a few of our Lift Zone partner organizations that offer digital learning. Click here to find a Lift Zone near you.

Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis – LeGore (5228 W. Minnesota Street)
- Education & Career Development – Power Hour, Career Launch, Money Matters
CUC Business Development Center (809 Lincoln Way West, South Bend)
Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne (2609 Fairfield Ave., Fort Wayne)
- Power Hour, Project Blueprint, Career Pathway Center

A group of students at a Comcast Lift Zone, a part of the Project UP initiative to bridge the digital divide.

Having an internet connection is vital in today’s digital age. Between applying for jobs to working remotely to communicating with your doctor – everything happens online. Here in Indiana, we are committed to bridging the digital divide and fostering a future of unlimited possibilities.

Source: Comcast

Mediacom Communications Launches Mediacom Mobile

July 16, 2024

Mediacom Communications today announced the launch of Mediacom Mobile, the company’s new mobile phone service. Offered in partnership with Verizon, Mediacom Mobile will provide consumers speed, scale, reliability, and wide-ranging availability at incredibly affordable rates.

Designed to be paired with Mediacom Xtream Internet service, Mediacom Mobile is available in two simple, budget-friendly residential plans:

Unlimited Plan – Unlimited mobile service for $40 per month, per line including all taxes and fees.
By the Gig Plan – Pay as you go mobile phone service for $15 per month, per gigabyte including all taxes and fees.

As an authorized Verizon mobile virtual network operator, Mediacom Mobile gives consumers access to America’s most awarded network. Moreover, Mediacom Mobile customers will be able to seamlessly access thousands of Mediacom Xtream WiFi Hotspots across the nation for an enhanced wireless experience inside and outside the home.

“Our core mission as a company has always been to bring the very best communications services to the communities we serve,” said Tapan Dandnaik, Mediacom’s SVP of Operations, Product Strategy and Consumer Experience. “By combining a proven national wireless network with our fast and reliable fiber-rich Gigabit speeds, robust Xtream Wi-Fi capabilities, and simple, affordable pricing plans, we believe Mediacom Mobile creates a ubiquitous connected experience and a compelling wireless solution for consumers.”

“Verizon, a global leader in telecommunications and technology, is committed to providing exceptional service to customers, and MVNO partners like Mediacom are a vital part of our wholesale strategy to deliver superior customer experiences and value that consumers are looking for,” said Mario Turco, Vice President – Wholesale, Verizon Consumer Group. “We are excited to share in Mediacom’s success launching their wireless services on our network”.

If you are interested in exploring whether Mediacom Mobile is right for you, please visit mediacommobile.com or call 1-855-633-4226.

Source: Mediacom

Michigan City Receives $75K Digital Equity Grant

June 26, 2024

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Michigan City is one of four small cities in the U.S. to receive a $75,000 Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge grant.

The award winners were announced during the U.S. Conference of Mayors 92^nd annual meeting June 21 in Kansas City.

“Mayors are investing in economic development that lifts people up instead of leaving them behind,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran, in a press release. “The Talent for Tomorrow Challenge grants will allow the 10 cities to grow these programs and build on their success.”

The challenge is a joint initiative of the USCM and Comcast’s Project UP. The $1 billion initiative supports digital equity for millions of people.

“By providing digital access and skills training, we will be able to build a stronger, more diverse, more equitable and inclusive workforce across the country.”

U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran

Winners in the small cities category were chosen for a commitment to expanding digital training that helps close gaps in skills. The Michigan City Area Schools Digital Revitalization Initiative was the catalyst for the award. Specifically, its digital placemaking platform focuses on wireless technology that creates communication strategies for community development. That connectivity includes students, residents and businesses.

“We are excited to leverage the partnership we have with Michigan City Area Schools to bring digital equity programming to parents and families. It’s important that we connect families to opportunities to increase their quality of life,”

Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch

The program’s goal is to increase access to local workforce training programs to grow readiness for college and careers.

“America’s mayors know well that closing the digital divide is intrinsically connected to the economic competitiveness of our cities and towns. The Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge will help ensure that more people, especially those most often left out of the digital economy, can take advantage of the opportunities that come with acquiring digital skills.”

Dalila Wilson-Scott, executive vice president and chief diversity officer of Comcast Corp. and president of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

Winners were chosen by judges selected by USCM. The other four small cities winners were: Kinston, North Carolina; White Plains, New York; and York, Pennsylvania.

USCM represents cities with 30,000 or more residents. More than 1,400 cities are represented by their mayors. The Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge is a joint initiative of the USCM and Comcast’s Project UP, and it supports the launch and expansion of local workforce programs designed to grow college and career readiness, close the digital skills gap, advance economic mobility, and lay the foundation for generational wealth in under-resourced communities.

Source: Comcast

Comcast NBCUniversal Recognized as a Top Company in the U.S. by LinkedIn for 2024

April 17, 2024

Comcast NBCUniversal has been named one of the top 20 companies in the U.S. by LinkedIn for 2024, recognizing us as one of the best places for employees to grow their careers.

This is the seventh time our global media and technology company has appeared on this esteemed list celebrating workplaces across the country that are prioritizing employees’ career progression and development.

At Comcast NBCUniversal we bring together engineers, designers, creators, storytellers, and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of media and technology. Collectively, we’re building innovative products, content, and experiences that bring joy and connection to our customers and guests around the world now – and for years to come. At the heart of our work is our people, who are passionate about technology, supporting each other, and going above and beyond each and every day.

The annual LinkedIn Top Companies list highlights the 50 best large workplaces in the U.S. and is built on research and in-depth analysis of LinkedIn’s platform and actions of its users, ranking companies based on key pillars related to career progression, including ability for employees to advance, skills growth, company stability, and more.

Interested in working at Comcast? You can explore career opportunities and learn more about our company and culture at jobs.comcast.com, nbcunicareers.com, comcastspectacor.com/careers and through Comcast NBCUniversal’s LinkedIn page.

Source: Comcast

Comcast and United Way Partner to Donate 100 Laptops to Bridge Digital Divide in City of Bloomington

April 3, 2024

Donation part of Comcast’s ongoing investment in Bloomington; partnership with city officials, community leaders to bridge the digital divide

Today, Comcast and United Way of South Central Indiana announced a donation of 100 laptops to Bloomington residents to help accelerate digital equity efforts in the community.

Laptop recipients include Bloomington families who participate in programming through the city’s Banneker Community Center – including early education and low-cost summer camp programs – and residents working with the Financial Stability Alliance, led by United Way of South Central Indiana.

“Community partnerships with organizations like Comcast and United Way are invaluable to ensuring Bloomington families can succeed in a digital world,” said Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson. “Achieving true digital equity means making long-term investments across all neighborhoods in the city, and we appreciate Comcast’s and United Way’s commitment and track record in helping us on our mission to achieve exactly that.”

In April 2020, the City of Bloomington conducted a Digital Equity survey to assess how residents use internet services. The survey results found a pronounced skills gap for low income and older residents, with 50% of respondents reporting they do not have the skills they need to use the internet effectively and comfortably.

Across Indiana, Comcast is working with state and local officials to invest in communities most in need of fast, reliable broadband service in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

“Increasing digital equity unleashes the potential of high-speed internet within homes and businesses. We’re proud to be a partner in Bloomington’s digital equity journey, and to continue to work with community leaders to provide the latest technology in a way that benefits everyone – not just in the most affluent neighborhoods.”

– Craig D’Agostini, Comcast Vice President, Government & Regulatory Affairs.

This laptop donation is part of Project UP, Comcast’s 10-year, $1 billion commitment to help make digital equity a reality in communities the company serves in Bloomington and across the country. To support Indiana’s digital equity efforts, Comcast offers several programs to increase internet accessibility and skills training opportunities, including:

The Comcast Internet Essentials program provides low-cost, high-speed broadband service for $9.95 a month to eligible low-income households, connecting more than one million students, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities in Indiana enrolled in a variety of government assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, the Federal Pell Grant program, SNAP, SSI, WIC, VA Pension and others.
Comcast operates more than 20 Lift Zones across Indiana, including two in Bloomington: Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington Ferguson Crestmont Club and Lincoln Street Club. Lift Zones are robust Wi-Fi hotspots in safe spaces where kids and adults can access free high-speed WiFi, learn digital skills, and participate in remote learning.
Comcast has made more than $3 million in cash and in-kind donations to community-based organizations in Indiana over the last three years, focusing on initiatives designed to foster digital equity.

Source: Comcast

Sparklight to Begin Accepting Applications for Charitable Giving Fund to Support Local Nonprofit Organizations

March 26, 2024

Sparklight® will begin accepting spring 2024 applications on April 1 for the company’s Charitable Giving Fund, which annually awards $250,000 in grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2024.

Charitable Giving Fund grants will be made available across communities served by Sparklight and the other Cable One family of brands (Fidelity Communications, Hargray and ValuNet Fiber) and will concentrate support in the following priority areas:

Education and Digital Literacy
Hunger Relief and Food Insecurity
Community Development

Last year, the company awarded grants to more than 50 nonprofits, including organizations devoted to the above priority areas as well as teen suicide prevention, homelessness resources, poverty disruption, child advocacy and more.

“We are honored to support nonprofit organizations helping those most in need in the communities we serve,” said Julie Laulis, Cable One President and CEO. “Being a strong local partner is central to our values and we are proud to help make a positive difference where we live and work.”

The Charitable Giving Fund is an extension of the company’s existing corporate social responsibility efforts, which include:

Supporting national organizations dedicated to advancing education and diversity, including the Emma Bowen Foundation and the National Diversity Council.
Supporting the mission of Special Olympics, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition, as well as health, arts, leadership, and advocacy programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Planting trees through the Arbor Day Foundation on behalf of customers who switch to paperless billing. Since 2015, the company has planted 140,000 trees in its markets and national forests within the company’s footprint.
Supporting the mission of Keep America Beautiful in cleaning up and beautifying communities across the U.S.
Fighting hunger in local communities through volunteerism and donations, as well as supporting organizations such as Feed My Starving Children. Since 2018, Cable One has donated more than 51 tons of food and nearly $500,000 to address food insecurity.

For more information about the Cable One Charitable Giving Fund, please visit www.sparklight.com/charitablegiving.

Source: Sparklight

Mediacom Communications Launches Xumo Stream Box

March 25, 2024

Mediacom Communications today announced Xumo Stream Box is now available to its Xtream Internet customers.

Available at no additional monthly cost to Xtream customers, Xumo Stream Box is powered by a new, global entertainment operating system that makes it easy for customers to find and watch the content they love.

“Xumo Stream Box is an incredibly versatile and consumer-friendly technology that seamlessly integrates our market leading broadband speeds with a world class streaming experience,” said Tapan Dandnaik, Mediacom’s SVP of Operations, Product Strategy and Consumer Experience. “We are thrilled to be among the first companies to bring this cutting-edge device to market.”

With Xumo Stream Box, Mediacom’s Xtream Internet customers can:

Watch more, search less:

Customers can search for a show or movie by saying its name into the included voice remote, and Xumo Stream Box will search across available apps and services to find it.
Xumo Stream Box uses both AI-driven personalization and a team of editors to surface content recommendations within the experience, helping customers find something to watch without having to jump in and out of apps.

Lean-back and Enjoy Hundreds of Free Live Channels:

The built-in channel guide makes browsing through Xumo Play’s 300+ channels spanning live local and national news, movies, sports, reality shows, crime TV, kids programming and more a seamless part of the experience.
Upon startup, customers will see a “currently playing” tile that shows what’s airing on the last Xumo Play channel they watched, making it quick and easy to jump back into their favorite programming.

Instant app access, with more ways to personalize than ever:

Xumo Stream Box comes preloaded with hundreds of streaming apps, no need for customers to download before they watch. They can simply say the name of the streaming service into the voice remote, and Xumo Stream Box will find and launch it.
With “My List,” Xtream customers can build personalized viewing lists for every member of the family. With just one click, customers can add any show or movie available on Xumo Stream Box to a specific list, giving them a quick way to find what to watch next.

Xtream customers interested in learning more about Xumo Stream Box can visit mediacomcable.com/products/xumo/.

Xumo, a joint venture between Comcast and Charter, delivers the next generation of video entertainment to consumers. Among its offerings is Xumo Stream Box, a 4K streaming device powered by Comcast’s newest entertainment experience, Entertainment OS. Mediacom joins Charter and Comcast as the third U.S.-based cable operator to offer Xumo Stream Box to its customers.

Soource: BusinessWire

Comcast nears completion of broadband expansion in Crawfordsville

March 22, 2024

Comcast Line Tech Montgomery County

Comcast’s network construction in Montgomery County is nearly complete, bringing symmetrical gigabit-capable speeds to more than 1,200 residents and businesses, along with many other products and services offered by the company.

This project was a collaborative effort under Indiana’s Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program, adding 90 miles of fiber to the tech infrastructure in Montgomery County. Comcast worked with state and local officials to target areas most in need of fast, reliable broadband service in unserved and underserved areas of Waveland, Waynetown, Ladoga, New Market and southern Crawfordsville.

“Next Level Connections is used as a model by other states to deliver the best tech infrastructure to rural areas,” said Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, the state’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “These investments made by Comcast will not only benefit residents and businesses, but also supercharge Indiana’s rural economic engine, accelerate workforce potential, and connect communities to a better quality of life.”

Comcast’s investment in Montgomery County falls under the third phase of NLC. A customizable map from Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs is available here and reflects three finalized rounds of NLC agreements with all internet service providers.

“We are grateful for Comcast’s private investment in the rural parts of our county,” said Jim Fulwider, Montgomery County Commissioner. “Bringing fiber connections to rural Montgomery County is a top priority, and we cannot thank Comcast enough for helping us to connect all of the homes and businesses that can thrive on reliable, high-speed Internet.”

By project completion, Montgomery County residents and businesses will have access to symmetrical Internet speeds — increasing both available upload and download speeds.