Comcast has been named a finalist for the Minnesota High Tech Association 2019 Tekne Awards in the Community Impact category. The company is being recognized for its Internet Essentials low-income broadband adoption program.
For the past two decades, the Tekne Awards have recognized leading-edge innovators in science and technology across the state of Minnesota. The 2019 Tekne Awards ceremony will reveal the winners among finalists in 12 categories at a celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
In 2011, Comcast launched Internet Essentials, a high-speed internet adoption program for low-income families, providing low-cost, high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month, the option to purchase a laptop for under $150 and access to free digital literacy training. The program has grown into the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program.
To date, Internet Essentials has connected eight million low-income Americans to the internet, including more than 172,000 in Minnesota. Over the years, we’ve made more than 35 enhancements to the program, including expanding eligibility to individuals living in HUD assisted housing and to low-income veterans. In August, the company expanded the program even further to reach all qualifying low-income Americans living within Comcast’s service area.
“With Internet Essentials, families are changing their lives for the better – kids are ready to connect to educational resources, parents are ready to search for better jobs, and families everywhere are ready to stay informed about the world around them,” said J.D. Keller, regional senior vice president, Comcast Twin Cities. “We have made tremendous progress in closing the digital divide and our resolve strengthens each year to provide citizens with the tools and training they need to be ready for anything.”
Keller added, “We sincerely appreciate this recognition by the Minnesota High Tech Association and are honored to be among the finalists in this year’s Tekne Awards.”
“The 2019 Tekne Award finalists demonstrate thought leadership and are spearheading technology innovation in Minnesota and around the world,” said Jeff Tollefson, president and CEO of the Minnesota High Tech Association. “We look forward to further recognizing these organizations at the 2019 Tekne Awards as well as highlighting the impressive science and technology community here in Minnesota.”
A full list of Tekne Award finalists and November 20 gala details is available online at tekneawards.org.