December 08, 2020
Comcast/for PhillyVoice
Comcast announced it will extend its essential internet services through June 2021 for low income families.
As millions of people are forced to stay home while workplaces and schools operate virtually, reliance on the internet has never been greater.
Comcast will extend its offer for 60 days of free internet services for Internet Essentials users during the pandemic until June 2021, the company announced Monday.
These services were set to expire at the end of the year before Monday' announcement that they will be extended to June 2021. This is the third time the company has extended this deal since the start of the pandemic.
Xfinity also created more than 1.5 million public WiFi hotspots across the country that are available for use, according to Comcast.
"Our teams have worked tirelessly to ensure our network is operating at peak performance to help our customers and our communities navigate this unprecedented crisis," Dave Watson, Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Cable said. "For nearly a decade, we've been on a mission to ensure students have the resources they need to be successful. We have accelerated that work during COVI-19 by partnering with public schools to provide Internet for more low-income students and by working with community centers to create safe spaces for families to connect to free WiFi through Lift Zones."
Internet Essentials provides high-speed internet to low-income families, and has connected more than 4 million low-income students to the internet since its inception. Those who apply for Internet Essentials will receive 60 days of free WiFi. The program provides high-speed internet service for $9.95 a month and offers low-cost computers for usage as well.
Comcast said it will continue to waive the requirement that customers do not have back debt so more families can apply.
More than 1.5 million Xfinity hotspots are spread out across the country. To find the one closest to you, go to www.xfinity.com/wifi
Comcast also partnered with Philadelphia education leaders to create PHL ConnectED, a free internet service for Philadelphia-based students who do not have access to internet, in August.
