Comcast extends plans for low-income households during coronavirus crisis

Comcast announced last week that it will increase speeds for its low-income “Internet Essentials” program, and making the program free to new low-income customers for two months, amid the coronavirus outbreak. Speeds will increase from 15Mbps to 25 Mbps.

The change is designed to help millions of low-income Americans who don’t have internet service during this uncertain time and keep them connected to families, workplaces, and more.

New customers will get complimentary internet essentials service for 60 days. The program is normally available to qualified low-income households for $9.95 per month.

The speeds have rolled out nationally over the past few days, and all new customers will receive a free self-install kit that includes a cable modem and WiFi router. There is no term contract. In addition, Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.

To sign up for the Internet Essentials program, applicants can visit www.internetessentials.com. Income qualifications are on the website.

Comcast currently serves the village of Manchester.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.