Mediacom Announces New High-Speed Internet Programs to Connect Low-Income Households

Category: Member News

Mediacom Announces New High-Speed Internet Programs to Connect Low-Income Households

January 19, 2022

Mediacom Communications today announced its participation in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a new program designed to help more Americans lower the monthly cost of home internet service.

The ACP is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Qualifying households can receive a credit of up to $30 off their monthly internet service bill Eligibility is defined by the FCC and targets households with income less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or that participate in government programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and Lifeline.

To maximize the ACP benefit, Mediacom has launched a new internet service called Connect2Compete-Plus (C2C+) with a $30 per month price including modem and unlimited data for qualifying households. The new C2C+ tier delivers internet download speeds of up to 50 Mbps and is one of many speed options available to customers who participate in the ACP.

“With more people than ever before working and studying from home due to the COVID pandemic, access to high-speed broadband is a necessity for most families,” said Ed Pardini, Mediacom’s senior vice president of field operations. “By participating in ACP and launching C2C+, we hope to provide more opportunities for low-income households to get and stay connected to the internet.”

Recent federal legislation created the ACP to replace the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. Mediacom enrolled more than 13,000 households in the EBB program during 2021. Existing EBB customers will continue to receive monthly benefits of up to $50 per month through March 1. Mediacom is working with its EBB customers to transition them into the ACP.

The ACP benefit is available to both new and existing Mediacom customers who qualify.  Households interested in participating in the ACP must confirm eligibility through the Affordable Connectivity Website and can then enroll in the program. Information can be found online (below) or by calling: 855-330-6918 (toll-free).

www.fcc.gov/acp

mediacomcable.com/acp

Source: Mediacom

Comcast Expands Internet Essentials Program to Hoosier Veterans

August 2, 2019

Comcast Expands Internet Essentials Program to Hoosier Veterans

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INDIANAPOLIS — Comcast is closing the digital divide in Indiana by adding expanding eligibility of a key program to veterans. Internet Essentials is an initiative Comcast created to provide low-cost internet to those in need. Low-income veterans now qualify to receive this program. The move to extend Internet Essentials eligibility to low-income veterans is the second largest expansion in the program’s history.

“We’ve made great strides in helping Hoosier families bridge the digital divide that can restrict advancement in career and education,” said Matt Kelley, Government Affairs senior manager for Comcast in Indiana. “It’s so meaningful to extend that same opportunity to Indiana’s low-income veterans.”

According to 2016 U.S. Census data, more than 30 percent of low-income veterans do not have internet access and Comcast’s Internet Essentials program is wanting to change that.

“Indiana has made a commitment to supporting veterans in many different ways,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. “Comcast is taking a leading role in workforce development by making sure that veterans in need have the Internet access they deserve.”

Urban League of Northwest Indiana Receives $10,000 Grant to Support Its “Digital Literacy Program”

January 7, 2019

League to use Comcast Foundation grant to interest and teach youth about STEM

October 20, 2018 – The Urban League of Northwest Indiana announced today it received a $10,000 grant from the Comcast Foundation to support its “Digital Literacy Outreach” program. “Digital Literacy Outreach” is a college preparatory and academic achievement program for minority youth. Serving students in 9th and 10th grades, the program is designed to increase students’ technology skills through STEM exploration and education and provide the foundation to succeed in higher education and careers.

Urban League - Comcast Donation

“The Urban League of Northwest Indiana appreciates the continued support of Comcast and will use the grant to provide awareness of STEM related careers through digital literacy college and career readiness workshops to Lake, Porter and LaPorte county students,” stated Urban League CEO Dr. Vanessa Allen McCloud.

“Comcast is proud to partner with the Urban League of Northwest Indiana to provide young people access to technology that promotes STEM learning and careers.” said John Crowley, Comcast’s regional senior vice president. “Technology is a key ingredient in any career, and we’re working to give youth across the board access to it so they have the tools they need to succeed.”

About the Urban League of Northwest Indiana

The Urban Leagues College Readiness (CCR) Scholars Program focuses on college access, readiness to attend college and career choices. College application skills, digital literacy research, grants, scholarships and financial aid awareness are some of the topics included in this college and career readiness initiative. Students receive information and career knowledge from professionals in the community, as well as participate in field experiences at some of the surrounding area’s post-secondary institutions such as Valparaiso University, Purdue University Northwest, Indiana University Northwest and Ivy Tech.

About the Comcast Foundation

The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations. The Foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on their communities. The Foundation has three community investment priorities—promoting service, expanding digital literacy, and building tomorrow’s leaders. Since its inception, the Comcast Foundation has donated more than $195 million to organizations in the communities nationwide that Comcast serves. More information about the Foundation and its programs is available at https://comca.st/2QtHgbj.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit https://comca.st/2Qrugmo for more information.

With nearly 7,000 local employees, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region (https://comca.st/2QpTqlr) serves customers in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan. “Like” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Facebook by visiting @Comcast. “Follow” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Twitter at @ComcastIllinois.

Xfinity Store to open in Hammond

November 1, 2018

Comcast announced today that an Xfinity Store is set to open in Hammond, IN, at 1918 165th St. early next year.  The new store will give visitors hands-on experience with Xfinity’s range of products and services, from the company’s mobile phone service, Xfinity Mobile, cable TV and high-speed Internet, to its home security platform, Xfinity Home.

The store also will feature iPads and other mobile devices visitors can use to explore Xfinity’s Android and iOS apps.  Apps range from: Xfinity Stream, which allows customers to watch live TV anywhere at home over WiFi, watch more than 200 live channels outside their homes, stream more than 70,000 On Demand choices on-the-go and download movies and TV shows; and Xfinity WiFi, which allows customers to search for locations of the network’s more than 19 million hotspots across the country and more than 1.7 million in the region; to xFi, which allows high-speed Internet customers to personalize and control their home networks.

“The stores are awesome places to visit and learn more about Xfinity products and services from the trained store staff,” said John Crowley, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region senior vice president.  “Visitors are welcome to come in and experience our products and services like they would at home.”

Along with product and service demos, customers will be able to pay bills, pick up and return equipment and get assistance from trained, knowledgeable sales and service consultants.  Store hours will be Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m.

For more information about Xfinity products, services and retail stores, call 1-(800)-XFINITY or visit https://comca.st/2P21yMd.

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal.  Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand, and also provides these services to businesses.  It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the XFINITY brand.  NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts.  Visit https://comca.st/2P0upk6 for more information.

Charter Proudly Supports Cable Industry’s Annual Diversity Week

October 26, 2018

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Charter Communications was honored to be a premier sponsor of Diversity Week 2018, an annual conference hosted by Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) and the Walter Kaitz Foundation. The event, held October 15-17 in New York City, gathered together leaders in telecommunications to promote and celebrate diversity and inclusion in the cable industry.

Charter’s Vice President, State Government Affairs, South Region, and current WICT chair, Marva Johnson (photo to the left), kicked off the organization’s conference by highlighting Charter’s commitment to investing in a diverse talent pool reflective of the markets and communities we serve. Charter’s Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, Catherine Bohigian, and Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Rhonda Crichlow (pictured above), reiterated that message during WICT’s “The Other Side of Change: Leading through an Evolution” roundtable segment.

Crichlow kicked off NAMIC’s opening general session and was also recognized by CableFax as one of 2018’s Most Influential Minorities. Tamara Bowens, Group Vice President – Field Marketing & Sales Enablement for Spectrum Enterprise, received a 2018 NAMIC Next Generation Leader Award.

The conference closed out with a pre-dinner reception hosted by Charter, followed by the Kaitz Dinner, held annually to raise money for diversity programs throughout the cable industry. Charter is proud to support this mission and is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in every aspect of its business. We look forward to continuing our support of these organizations.

Charter Applauds FCC’s Improved Licensing Rules for the 3.5 GHz Band

October 26, 2018

Charter

The 3.5 GHz band is an important component of Charter’s wireless strategy and also has the potential to provide a cost effective solution for delivering fixed wireless broadband including to less densely populated areas.

This month the Federal Communications Commission adopted new licensing rules for the 3.5 GHz band. By preserving significant opportunity for GAA unlicensed use as well as adopting a counties-based Priority Access Licenses (PAL) areas, the improved rules will promote increased competition and broadband deployment, bringing new innovations and the future of connectivity even closer for consumers.

Charter Stands For The Arts with Ovation

October 26, 2018

Charter

This fall, Charter is proud to continue our partnership with the arts network Ovation and promote their signature Stand for the Arts campaign. This national initiative is dedicated to raising awareness, protecting access, and encouraging support of local arts initiatives. We are pleased to join them in awarding a total of $120,000 in grants to a dozen different communities we serve across the country.

Several of twelve 2018 Stand for the Arts grants were recently awarded. We recognized the Buffalo Arts Studio which gives affordable studio space and exposure to visual artists and Latino Arts Inc., for its work elevating, enhancing and expanding arts in that community. We also recently joined community leaders, students and families in the Milwaukee areas to honorLatino Arts Inc., for its work fostering and uplifting arts in the community. We are proud to honor all of the 2018 Stand for the Arts Grant recipients.

Spectrum Launches Spectrum Internet® Gig and Spectrum Business® Internet Gig in Evansville and other Kentuckiana Communities

October 9, 2018

EVANVILLE, Indiana (October 9, 2018) – Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) today announced the launch of Spectrum Internet Gig for residential customers and Spectrum Business Internet Gig for small and medium-sized business clients in the communities of Evansville, Newburgh, Chandler, Jasper and Warrick and Spencer Counties in Indiana and Owensboro and Mogranfield, Kentucky, featuring the deployment of DOCSIS 3.1 internet services delivering a 1 Gbps connection to the home or business.

Spectrum is fully committed to bringing faster internet speeds to the communities it serves with no modem fees or data caps. Priced at $104.99 per month for new residential customers, Spectrum Internet Gig is now available to more than 95 percent of the company’s footprint, and will be available throughout virtually all of Spectrum’s 41-state service area by the end of 2018.

“Spectrum’s state-of-the-art, fiber-rich network allows us to deploy dramatically faster broadband speeds, including gigabit connections, broadly and rapidly,” said Tom Rutledge, Charter Communications Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “As consumer demands for bandwidth and capacity grow, our world-class network is best-positioned to meet these demands, today and into the future.”

With Spectrum Internet Gig, residential customers have access to faster and more powerful internet speeds for streaming video, online gaming, downloading music and more across multiple devices without sacrificing performance. Spectrum Internet Gig is offered with no data caps or contracts, includes a modem and free in-home WiFi, and is backed by a 30-day money back guarantee. For more information on Spectrum’s full suite of advanced broadband services, please visit www.spectrum.com.

Spectrum Business Internet Gig is available to new customers starting at $249.99 per month, which includes a modem, customer WiFi for businesses with public seating or lobby areas, custom domain and email addresses, cloud backup and desktop security software at no additional charge. For more details on Spectrum Business’ full suite of advanced solutions, visit www.business.spectrum.com or call 1-855-272-8857.

Xfinity Store opens in Elkhart

October 8, 2018

Comcast announced today that an Xfinity Store has opened in Elkhart at 199 County Rd. 6 W. The new store gives visitors hands-on experience with Xfinity’s range of products and services, from the company’s mobile phone service, Xfinity Mobile, cable TV and high-speed Internet, to its home security platform, Xfinity Home.

The store also features iPads and other mobile devices visitors can use to explore Xfinity’s Android and iOS apps. Apps range from: Xfinity Stream, which allows customers to watch live TV anywhere at home over WiFi, watch more than 200 live channels outside their homes, stream up to 70,000 On Demand choices on-the-go and download movies and TV shows; and Xfinity WiFi, which allows customers to search for locations of the network’s more than 19 million hotspots across the country and more than 1.7 million in the region; to xFi, which allows high-speed Internet customers to personalize and control their home networks.

“The stores are awesome places to visit and learn more about Xfinity products and services from the trained store staff,” said John Crowley, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region senior vice president. “Visitors are welcome to come in and experience our products and services like they would at home.”

“I am pleased that Comcast has selected Elkhart as the site of their newest Xfinity Store,” said Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese. “This is the first store of its kind in Elkhart and will provide an added convenience for local Comcast customers.”

Along with product and service demos, customers are able to pay bills, pick up and return equipment and get assistance from trained, knowledgeable sales and service consultants. Store hours are Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m.

For more information about Xfinity products, services and retail stores, call 1-(800)-XFINITY or visit https://comca.st/2OGg6An.

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit https://comca.st/2OQ9xem for more information.

With around 6,500 local employees, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region (https://comca.st/2OGg7Er) serves customers in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan. “Like” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Facebook by visiting @Comcast. “Follow” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Twitter at @ComcastIllinois.

Internet Adoption Programs Are Setting People Up for Success

August 29, 2018

As we learned earlier this month, the release of Comcast’s seven-year progress report of the Internet Essentials program indicated that internet adoption programs have reached more than six million Americans. But Internet Essentials—the largest broadband adoption program in the U.S.—is doing more than just expanding internet-connected households across the country. It’s helping to improve the lives of low-income families and individuals in almost every way possible.

While discount incentives and initiatives for low-income Americans are making an internet connection inside the home more accessible than ever before, free digital literacy classes and training offered through these programs are giving people the opportunity to learn how to make the most of their internet experience. These opportunities include applying for and landing a job, completing a homework assignment, connecting with family and peers, receiving current news, streaming shows, and filling out medical or government assistance forms—all of which would not be possible without connectivity or the skills necessary to navigate the internet.

Comcast’s $550 million investment in digital literacy training and awareness over the past seven years is definitely paying off as participants report upward mobility in various areas of their lives. Since 2011, the Internet Essentials program has hosted more than 2 million people in its online learning centers where users can access a wide range of training videos, guides and reports on accessing the internet, online safety, and media literacy.
U.S. broadband providers are committed to not only bringing an internet connection and the equipment necessary to homes and communities that lack connectivity, but also to empowering all Americans with the knowledge and resources they need to overcome the obstacles they are challenged with everyday—obstacles that are preventing them from leading their best lives and competing in the global marketplace. Every year, these barriers continue to be broken as more families are connected to the internet and gain access to the resources and tools that will help them thrive in their home, in the workplace, in school, in the economy, and in their personal lives.

See the chart below to learn how internet adoption programs are impacting families.

Internet Adoption Programs Have Helped Families