New federal programming is helping Comcast bolster its mission to bridge the digital divide. Comcast is one of over 300 internet service providers participating in the FCC’s new Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), a temporary subsidy program designed to help low-income households connect to the internet.
The EBB provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households, or up to $75 per month for households on Tribal lands. Families can additionally receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to help purchase an internet-enabled device, such as a laptop, tablet, or personal computer.
In a video, FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the pandemic forced the agency to recognize that the internet is “essential to modern life” and “broadband was no longer nice to have, it’s a need to have.”
The move follows on the heels of the pandemic, when existing gaps in Americans who had the internet in their homes, and those who didn’t, were thrust into the spotlight. Comcast senior director of Government Affairs, Karly Baraga Werner, says while Comcast networks demonstrated that they were well-equipped to deal with the surge in internet traffic, a number of barriers prevented all families from taking advantage of its services.
The issue largely comes down to adoption and affordability. For the first time since the World Wide Web launched to Americans in the early 90s, Baraga Werner says there are enough resources to provide affordable internet access to nearly every household who requires it. But a number of barriers — including language, lack of trust of the internet, program awareness, digital literacy, and device access — continue to prevent consumers from taking advantage.
“People that were connected were able to stay connected to school, their jobs, and to their families,” explained Baraga Werner. “ The pandemic put a spotlight on Americans that have the option of service, but didn’t take it. Our focus is on how our programs can complement federal programs to help connect Americans quickly and efficiently.”
Comcast has long demonstrated its commitment to providing affordable internet service to low-income families through its Internet Essentials program. The Internet Essentials program, launched nearly a decade ago, provides high-speed internet to eligible households for just $9.95 per month.
With the injection of new funding provided by the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, this cost can now be fully covered for qualifying families.
“Research has consistently shown that the lack of broadband adoption was due to much more than cost, but also so many other barriers that are not such a “one size fits all” solution. Some examples are a belief that the internet isn’t beneficial or that it is causes harm, or a lack of basic digital navigation skills. The EBB allows groups working in the digital equity space to focus on those more complicated, high-touch issues.”
Comcast also announced it has joined forces with the FCC to help address connectivity issues tied to the homework gap.
During the pandemic, more than 17 million students struggled with remote learning due to a lack of adequate access at home. To help combat learning loss in the coming school year, the FCC has launched the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) — a $7.17 billion relief program for schools and libraries to assist their communities by providing tools and services needed to facilitate remote learning.
The funds can be used to cover reasonable costs of laptops and tablet computers, WiFi hotspots, internet equipment, and broadband connectivity, according to the FCC.
Comcast’s participation in the program is a natural extension from the company’s Lift Zones initiative, which has resulted in more than 80 active community sites receiving free, high-speed WiFi throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul region through the internet service provider.
Baraga Werner says the new EBB and ECF programming represents a commendable shift in priorities at the federal level, one that recognizes that issues surrounding digital equity go far beyond focusing on building new networks or expanding rural broadband access.
“It’s as important as ever for getting every American connected,” Baraga Werner said. “There are now enough resources to really take the affordability piece off the table. We need to focus on adoption. The biggest impact can come when government agencies, internet service providers, and community organizations come together for the purpose of getting internet connectivity out to families. And that takes collaboration.”