Topic: Digital Divide

NCTA's Michael Powell on America's Broadband Mission

"It's going to get pretty chaotic." Those comments from NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell aptly captured the tone of this week's Senate subcommittee hearing about the challenge (and historic opportunity) of connecting every American to robust broadband service. In addition to testifying in the Senate hearing, Powell shared his insights with NCTA's State Leadership Conference on the cable industry's role in building out robust and resilient networks, what the federal government is getting right with the latest broadband funding plans, and what will be required to tackle the challenges that

NCTA's Broadband Stories Year in Review

As 2022 is coming to a close, it’s worth taking a look back at the tremendous efforts by America’s cable broadband leaders to reach and connect the people most in need of a high-speed broadband connection. Check out these handful of stories from the past year which represent a small sampling of the many initiatives that cable providers are engaged in across the country. Rural Broadband Expansion Across rural America, cable internet service providers (ISPs) are continually building out broadband networks to connect more unserved Americans. These projects include a combination of private capital

How Cox's Low-Cost Internet Plans Are Changing Lives

Low-cost broadband adoption programs are delivering overwhelmingly positive results to participants, according to new survey data released by Cox Communications last week. Through its Connect2Compete and ConnectAssist plans, Cox provides multiple options for families or individuals to use reliable internet service for little to no monthly fee. Connectivity Transforms Lives So far, Connect2Compete has connected 2.5 million people, and Cox is committed to getting even more signed up. Mark Greatrex, President of Cox Communications, emphasized that the company "will continue to prioritize

Comcast Partners to Close the Digital Divide with Launch of ACP Enrollment Programs in Western Massachusetts

With Thanksgiving and the giving season just around the corner, it's all the more fitting to spotlight the cable industry's year-round efforts to invest in its communities and to achieve digital equity across America. To focus on Comcast, yesterday NCTA spotlighted the cable provider's recent digital equity initiative in the Boston area. This $500,0000 investment is just one of many across the United States that exemplify the deep commitment the industry shares toward closing the digital divide, and is part of Comcast's larger commitment to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through Project UP

Comcast's Investment in Boston Area Leads to Digital Navigator Programs

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, there is no better time to highlight a generous contribution from Comcast to nonprofit organizations in the Boston area which focus on closing the digital divide. Earlier this month, Comcast awarded more than $500,000 in grants to 17 organizations which focus on digital access and broadband adoption. This investment is one of many that the media and technology company is making in multiple cities as part of its Project UP initiative. Project UP is Comcast's 10-year, $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity through programs and community

Connecting America's Students

The fall semester for schools across the country is at its peak, and this year, unlike the last couple, looks a lot like pre-pandemic times. But in many ways, student learning has completely transformed over the past 2.5 years, with online learning becoming an important component in education. Why It Matters: With more students now connected to the internet at home, high-speed broadband is powering online instruction and virtual experiences that were far less prevalent prior to COVID. How It Happened: This is thanks to the strong partnerships forged between cable providers and school districts

Broadband Stats: Why Isn't Everyone Online?

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) last week shared results from its biennial Internet Use Survey data. The survey shows how households across the country engage with the internet, and why those who are still offline have yet to be connected. The topline data shows that 82% of U.S. households now use the internet at home, a slight improvement from 2019.

Two Years Later, Comcast and Chicago Connected Continue to Impact Families

As students head back to school this fall, it is worth thinking back to March 2020, when COVID caused worldwide shutdowns and school closures. In Chicago, the public school district recognized that partnering with the private and nonprofit sectors was key to facilitating the transition to an unprecedented need for remote learning. An estimated 100,000 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students were without an internet option that could support the applications required for distance learning. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Comcast, CPS, numerous community-based and

Comcast's Internet Essentials Shows the Impact of Broadband Adoption on Families

Currently, more than 14 million people have been connected through the cable industry's low-cost broadband adoption programs. And over the past two years throughout the COVID pandemic, cable internet service providers (ISPs) have doubled down on their efforts to expand eligibility, forge public-private partnerships to connect as many households as possible, offer connected devices for use in the home, provide digital training classes, and spread the news about the benefits of their broadband adoption programs to those unaware that they even qualify. Comcast's Internet Essentials is one of