Comcast Makes Low-End Internet Free for Low-Income Customers

It's limited to 60 days, however

by
Rob LeFebvre
Senior News Editor
Rob LeFebvre has been a freelance technology writer for 10 years and an educator for 20. His articles have appeared in 148Apps, Cult of Mac, Engadget, and many others.
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Rob LeFebvre
Published March 13, 2020 03:43PM EDT

Why This Matters

Working remotely generally requires good internet. For millions of low-income people, the cost can be prohibitive; this is a good step forward, even if it's limited to two months.

Internet service provider Comcast just upped speeds for its low-tier internet package from 15 to 25 Mbps (with a 3 Mbps upload) and made it free for qualifying low-income customers.

Comcast/NBC logos


Getty Images / Cindy Ord

The big picture: The Coronavirus continues to make waves in our society, especially as many workers are asked to work from home. To do so, however, typically requires a faster broadband connection, which can be expensive. While some companies like AT&T are waiving data caps to help in this crisis, Comcast is doing its part to assist with a faster, free tier of internet service.

The details: Comcast's "Internet Essentials" typically runs $9.95 per month, but new and existing customers will see the price drop and get the service for free for 60 days. After that, customers can cancel the service or keep it at $9.95 per month. The company will ship a cable modem and Wi-Fi router for free with no term contact or credit check, though whether you need to return it is unclear.

Bottom line: If you suddenly need to rely on internet service, and think you qualify, head over to Internet Essentials and apply for the service. Once approved, it can take up to 10 days to ship the equipment.

Via: WXYZ

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