Kyle McSlarrow, president of Comcast / NBC Universal (News - Alert) recently declared the second year of their Internet Essentials Adoption Program at the Seahurst Elementary School. Comcast (News - Alert) Internet Essentials is a comprehensive and ambitious broadband adoption program, especially designed to put an end to digital divide for low-income Americans.   

Kyle, along with local, state, school district officials, and guest of honor, SpongeBob SquarePants, announced the prestigious year two of this groundbreaking broadband adoption program, Internet Essentials, aiming at closing the digital divide that was prevalent for low-income Americans in Washington. Representatives from Comcast as well as from Neighboring House and Goodwill, two of the company’s major not-for-profit partners, went hands-on to meet the families and answer issues regarding their program.

Comcast Corporation is one of the leading providers of information, communication, and entertainment products and services, involved primarily in cable system operation through Comcast Cable, and production, development and distribution of news, sports, entertainment, and other content via NBC Universal.

During the first year of availability of this program, more than 400,000 Americans had signed up nationally, including 20, 000 state residents and 5,000 families in Washington. Comcast aims at enhancing the program, introducing new processes and features that can accelerate enrollment for the program.

Will Saunders, Broadband Policy and Programs Director, Washington State Dept. of Commerce said that Price can be a major barrier to engaging Washington's families in the state's growing digital economy. He added that programs like Comcast's Internet Essentials can make that first step possible, bringing broadband to the home.

Susan Enfield, the Highline Schools Superintendent said that the Internet had become an essential tool for communicating and learning in today’s world. With the Internet Essentials program, more American families and students can now have access to the web; thanks to Comcast. She added that web access will help the students to be most successful in school, while helping them prepare for higher studies and competitive workplace.

Kyle McSlarrow, the president of Comcast / NBC Universal said that he wanted to congratulate Mr. Saunders, Dr. Enfield and Burien Mayor, Brian Bennett for helping to make Internet Essentials such a resounding success in Washington State. He added that they were proud to work with them to help lower the barriers to broadband access and make the endless resources of the Internet available to more families in Washington State.

Ever since the inception of Internet Essentials, Comcast has introduced plenty of enhancements in the program, which included double broadband speed, expanded eligibility, enriched digital literacy training, free Internet safety software upgrade, approval process streamlining and special order programs.

For a household to be eligible for the Internet Essentials Program, it is important to be located where company offered the service. They must also have at least one child who received free or reduced school lunch under NSLP, does not have an overdue bill or unreturned equipment with Comcast, and has not subscribed to the Internet service within the last 90 days. The company aims at signing more eligible families through the end of 2013-2014 of school year.

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