2017/12/corporate_2017_Import_Background_Fill.jpg
Internet Essentials

Comcast Launches New Internet Essentials Online Learning Center, Adds New Social Media Section, Navigation Enhancements and Educational Videos

Jul 19, 2012

Comcast, the nation's largest Internet service provider, today announced it has launched the newly redesigned online "Learning Center" on the Internet Essentials Website www.InternetEssentials.com/Learning. The enhanced online Learning Center now includes a social media section, a refreshed design that features a guided tour for easier navigation and new digital literacy education videos.

The new Learning Center and videos support Comcast's digital literacy education and awareness efforts by providing consumers with basic resources and tools on how to explore and use the Internet. The videos feature some of NBC's "Today" Show talent including: Al Roker, Sara Haines and Jenna Wolfe. Other TV talent showcased in the videos include: Telemundo's Jose Diaz-Balart, MSNBC's Thomas Roberts and NBC's Kate Snow and Joelle Garguilo.

"When we first launched the Internet Essentials program, we knew that helping to close the digital divide would mean more than just offering discounted Internet service and computers to qualified customers," said Susan Jin Davis, Vice President of Strategic Services for Comcast. "We realized it would also be necessary to offer our customers resources and information that would help them use the Internet to its fullest.  The enhancements made to the online Learning Center will make it easier, we believe, for first-time users to get acquainted with the Internet and introduce them to the many valuable resources that are available online like job search tools, education and health care information."

There are seven new digital literacy videos that can be accessed by anyone from the Learning Center on the Internet Essentials Website. The videos are approximately three to five minutes in length and give step-by-step directions on topics including: How to Search the Web; Email Basics; Educational Resources/Homework Helpers; Health Care Resources; Introduction to Social Media and Online Job Search Tools. Additional archival videos from NBC Learn, the educational arm of NBC News, are also now available on the Learning Center and focus on Internet safety and security topics ranging from spam and spyware to cyberbullying. The Learning Center is an online portal that provides educational information like the videos, as well as a list of free in-person Internet training locations and links to other resources to help consumers create a safe, secure and fun online experience for their families.

Comcast has also enhanced the Internet safety and security software that is provided for free with Internet Essentials to include the Constant Guard Protection Suite, which includes top-rated Norton Security software, password safeguards and identity theft protection software.

Internet Essentials is a broadband adoption program that Comcast launched in 2011 to help more students and families get online.

While participating in Internet Essentials, customers receive:

  • Residential Internet service for just $9.95 + tax a month;
  • No price increases, no activation fees and no equipment rental fees;
  • A computer available at initial enrollment for just $149.99 + tax;
  • Access to free Internet training: online, in print and in-person.

A household is eligible to participate in the Internet Essentials program if it meets all of the following criteria:

  • Has at least one child who is eligible to receive free or reduced price school lunches through their enrollment in the National School Lunch Program; 
  • Is located where Comcast offers Internet service;
  • Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days; and
  • Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment.

For more information about Internet Essentials, visit www.InternetEssentials.com for English or www.InternetBasico.com for Spanish. Educators or those interested in helping to spread the word can find more information at www.internetessentials.com/partner. Parents looking to enroll in the program can call 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376) or, for Spanish1-855-SOLO-995 (1-855-765-6995).

About Comcast Cable
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA - News) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.