Comcast Continues to Invest in Knoxville to Help Close the Digital Divide
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Feb. 24, 2022 – Comcast in Knoxville is offering free and discounted internet options for Knoxvillians through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the company’s own broadband adoption program, Internet Essentials.
The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible low-income households a credit up to $30 a month toward the cost of Internet service ($75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands). Comcast is making ACP credits available for all of the company’s Xfinity Internet speed tiers, including Internet Essentials.
Internet Essentials is Comcast’s low-cost broadband adoption program for low-income households with grammar, high school, and college students; seniors; veterans; people with disabilities; and residents enrolled in public assistance and housing assistance programs. Since its launch in 2011, Internet Essentials has connected a cumulative total of 10 million Americans to the Internet at home – including more than 500,000 in Tennessee.
“As the world becomes more digital, it is crucial that everyone has the resources and opportunities they need to excel in today’s economy,” said Comcast Regional SVP, Jason Gumbs. “We’re making it simple for both new and existing customers to use ACP credits toward Xfinity Internet services and encourage Knoxville residents to call us or go online at www.xfinity.com/free.
For more information, visit www.Xfinity.com/free, call 1-800-Comcast or visit one of the following Xfinity retails stores in Knoxville.
Comcast continues to expand its technologies across East Tennessee. The company recently added new gigabit and high-speed internet service tiers to more areas in East Tennessee and has invested over $700 million in infrastructure across the state over the past three years to bridge the digital divide. Last year, Comcast donated laptops, provided technology grants (including a $30,000 grant to create a Goodwill Career Accelerator site) and launched over a dozen internet ready lift zones in Knoxville to support the community and bridge the divide.
Today’s announcement is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to reach 50 million people over the next 10 years with the tools, resources, and skills needed to succeed in a digital world. For more information about Comcast’s comprehensive connectivity program for low-income Americans visit https://corporate.comcast.com/values/internet-essentials.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a longer-term replacement for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, designed to help keep families connect to the Internet. Qualifying ACP customers get a $30 per month bill credit toward their internet service.
About Internet Essentials
Internet Essentials is Comcast’s signature digital equity initiative and the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. In 10 years, it has helped connect 10 million low-income Americans to broadband Internet at home, most for the very first time. It has a comprehensive design that addresses each of the three major barriers to broadband adoption. This includes multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online, and in person; the option to purchase a heavily subsidized, low-cost Internet-ready computer; and low-cost, high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month, plus tax. The program is structured as a partnership between Comcast and tens of thousands of school districts, libraries, elected officials and nonprofit community partners. For more information about Internet Essentials and Comcast’s commitment to education and digital equity, please visit https://corporate.comcast.com/education. To apply, visit www.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376 for English or 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
