Chicago: eligible students to get low-cost broadband Internet access : May 31, 2011

Chicago Sun Times: By FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter : May 31, 2011

The digital divide is about to narrow for 330,000 inner-city Chicago public school students.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Comcast executives Tuesday in announcing “Internet Esentials,” a joint program involving the city and the communications giant designed to provide high-speed Internet service for the famiies of 330,000 Chicago students who qualify for the free lunches under the school-lunch program.

Comcast normally charges $48.95 a month for broadband Internet service. Under the new program, eligible families will be able to get that service for $9.95 a month, with no installation or service fees.

In addition, eligible familes also will be able to purchase computers for $150.

The program will launch with the start of the next school year.

City officials said the parnership with Comcast is the first of its kind in the nation.

It’s one piece of a comprehensive plan to increase Internet access in inner-city Chicago neighborhoods. Chicago’s public libraries are taking part in training and awareness programs and providing business courses that aim to promote technology use.


Officials said the new program will run for a “at least three school years.” Families will remain eligible fpr the discounts so long as a child gets free lunches.