Comcast offers free internet to low-income customers

Comcast is offering 60 days of its Internet Essentials service for free to lowincome households in response to the growing coronavirus pandemic.

“As our country continues to manage the COVID-19 emergency, we recognize that our company plays an important role in helping our customers stay connected — to their families, their workplaces, their schools, and the latest information about the virus — through the internet,” Comcast said in a press release issued late Thursday. “We also know that for millions of low-income Americans who don’t have internet service at home, this uncertain time is going to be even more difficult to manage. As schools and businesses close and families are encouraged, or even mandated, to stay home, internet connectivity becomes even more important.”

Effective Monday, Comcast said it will make the Internet Essentials free for 60 days for low-income customers who normally pay $9.95 per month.

Comcast said it is also increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers.

To access this service:

• Existing customers will not need to do anything..

• Comcast will send all new customers a free selfinstall kit that includes a cable modem with a WiFi router. There will be no term contract or credit check and no shipping fee.

• To sign up, applicants can visit www.internetessentials.com. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 855-846-8376 for English and 855-765-6995 for Spanish.