Mediacom has announced the rollout of its subsidized broadband program, Connnect2Compete, in Southern Illinois.
The program offers students whose families qualify for the federal school lunch subsidies 10 Mbps downstream internet for $9.95 a month, with free leased Wi-Fi router.
“The internet has become an essential communications and learning tool for educators, students and parents,” said Todd Curtis, group VP for Mediacom’s Lincoln Region. “By launching the Connect2Compete program in Southern Illinois, we hope to make internet access available to more families by lowering the cost of entry for those most at-risk of being left behind in today’s digital world.”
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The Mediacom program is similar to Internet Essentials, the subsidized broadband program offered by No. 1 cable operator Comcast. As of March 2016, that program was deployed to around 600,000 families.
“Addressing digital inclusion is a priority. We must ensure all residents have the capability to empower their lives through digital technology” said Steven Mitchell, economic development director for Carbondale, also in a statement.“The Connect2Compete initiative launched by Mediacom in partnership with EveryoneOn attacks this issue head on by offering low-income families with school age children an affordable internet service option.”