Featured photo: Broderick Johnson, Comcast executive vice president, Public Policy and executive vice president, Digital Equity, gifts a laptop to a Detroit Digital Navigator this past June. Digital Navigators are individuals affiliated with trusted community organizations who are trained to help people access the Internet, use devices, and build digital skills. Photo by Santa Fabio.
Written by Tanya Terry
The Flint Courier News is giving away five Dell Latitude laptops to our readers by Cyber Monday, right after Thanksgiving!
To be considered, readers only need to tell the Courier why they need and deserve them.
“It’s important to be online on a good device to have access to telehealth, to scholarships, to job opportunities and lifelong learning,” said Rob Ponto, senior manager for public relations for Comcast in Michigan.
According to the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau, 19% of U.S. households gave the cost of monthly service as a reason why they don’t subscribe. 60% of U.S. households cited various complex challenges, including concern over online safety, privacy, security, frustration over technology and unfamiliarity with the opportunities internet can provide. 3% of households said having no computer, an inadequate computer or the cost of a computer for not adopting the internet in their home.
For the past 11 years, Comcast has been working to bridge the digital divide in the United States and more closely in Flint. Ponto explained Comcast wants to increase digital adoption.
According to Ponto, the obstacle Americans are facing is not internet access. Ponto said the true challenge is getting households to adopt broadband service. High-speed broadband service is available across virtually every corner of the state of Michigan. There are multiple reasons homes are not getting internet despite having access in their communities.
“There are three barriers to digital adoption,” he stated. “Those are the price of service, lack of a device in the home and access to digital skills. We’ve been trying to break down that price barrier through our Internet Essentials Program and our education of the Affordable Connectivity Program. With digital skills, we have Lift Zones in the city of Flint and partner with nonprofit organizations. So, we’re interested in digital skills adoption through that. Lack of a device is another barrier.”
For this reason, Comcast has offered five laptops for five Flint Courier News readers.
Comcast has been in Flint for many years. They have developed excellent relationships with nonprofit organizations. The Xfinity store opened in Flint a few years ago. During the Flint Water Crisis, Comcast partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint to distribute water.
In addition, digital adoption has been one of Comcast’s missions through Project Up. Project Up launched in 2022. Bridging the digital divide is its primary goal.
First, Comcast and the federal government have come up with ways to get around the barrier of the price of service. Eleven years ago, Comcast launched Internet Essentials. Through the program, those who qualify can receive internet service at discounted prices. Families with children who receive reduced or free school lunch, those who receive SNAP benefits, those who have access to HUD Housing or those who receive other assistance qualify for the program. Through it, Comcast customers who participate receive internet for $9.95.
In addition, a faster version of the internet service is now available for $29.95 per month.
“Since the pandemic hit, we all saw how important a connection in the home to the internet was.”
The FCC created the Affordable Connectivity Program. Through it, a $30 credit is available for qualified internet customers to use towards their internet bill. The credit is open to both Comcast customers and non-Comcast customers. Comcast customers can also use this credit for mobile phone service.
“Not having access to a reliable device, like a laptop, desktop or tablet, is an issue. Devices are prone to break. So, having a new device is very important. It’s hard to access some information on your phone. If you go to the library, you’re limited with library hours and how they work with your schedule.”
Not having the skills to unlock the potential of the internet is another issue.
Comast has been working with nonprofits and the Flint Housing Commission to open Lift Zones. A Lift Zone is a space with no-cost internet for students and residents to use. They opened in 2020. There are 58 Lift Zones throughout Michigan. Eight of them are in Flint. Seven are at Flint Housing Commission locations, and one is at End of Times Outreach Ministries, located at 1011 Hammond Avenue. The Flint Housing Commission locations are Mince Manor, River Park, Aldridge Place, Howard Estates, Richert Manor, Kenneth Simmons Square and Centerview.
Digital skills training materials are available from Comcast at internetessentials.com to use at the Lift Zones or home.
In addition, Comcast is starting to deploy “digital navigators.” In Detroit, beginning this summer, at the St. Patrick Senior Center, trusted people in the people help teach digital skills to people who need them and can benefit from them.
To see if you qualify for Internet Essentials low-cost internet for the income constraint community, visit the Xfinity store, located at G3567 Miller Rd., in Flint. Store associates can also help Flint residents learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program for a $30 credit. Alternatively, residents can visit Affordable Connectivity Program | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov).
To request consideration for one of five Dell Latitude laptops, call 810-234-8770, email theflintcouriernews@gmail.com or write to 109 Welch Blvd, Flint, MI 48503.
