Comcast Makes Federal ACP Program Available at Redmond Xfinity Store

Comcast today announced a new development to help some Redmond residents apply for free Internet service through the Federal Government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The announcement is part of news from the Biden-Harris Administration today (click here) that President Biden and Vice President Harris have secured commitments from 20 internet providers to cut costs.

People may now visit the Xfinity Retail Store in Redmond to enroll in ACP to get Internet service for free via Internet Essentials Plus, a service that includes 100 Mbps speeds, a cable modem, access to millions of WiFi hotspots, and unlimited data for $29.95 per month. In addition to Internet Essentials Plus, any Xfinity customer who qualifies for ACP can apply their $30 ACP credit toward their monthly Internet and/or Xfinity Mobile bill.

Why is this important?

Even though the benefits of no-cost internet have been emphasized to eligible households, enrollment still has been slower than anticipated. About 40% of respondents to a recent national survey ranked “having someone walk me through the process step by step” as a top suggestion for how to make applying easier. Now people can meet in-person with a retail representative at the Xfinity store in Redmond to learn more about how to enroll in ACP to get Internet service for free.

Who can apply?

According to U.S. Census Data, more than a thousand households in Redmond, and nearly 100,000 in King County are eligible to apply for the ACP program. This is critical for people who haven’t previously had internet service, especially in communities that have historically faced more barriers to getting online.

Comcast is also equipping tens of thousands of call center representatives to help customers sign up for Internet Essentials Plus and educate about ACP. Any Xfinity customer across all Comcast’s markets who qualifies for ACP can apply their $30 credit toward their monthly Internet and/or Xfinity Mobile bill.

In addition, through Project UP, Comcast’s $1B commitment to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities, the company is partnering with its network of thousands of non-profit organizations in communities across the country to increase awareness of, and participation in ACP, while also addressing broadband adoption issues like the lack of digital skills. In the last six months, Comcast has distributed well over $1 million dollars in grants to support dozens of local non-profits affiliated with the Hispanic Federation and the National Urban Indian Family Coalition (NUIFC), as well organizations such as NPower, with plans to invest millions more throughout the year.

“We’ve never been more committed to closing the digital divide and helping people get connected to the Internet through Project UP. By working with our partners at all levels of government and within the community, we can accelerate our efforts to ensure everyone has access to the Internet and the skills they need to excel in today’s digital economy,” said Broderick Johnson, executive vice president, Public Policy and Digital Equity, Comcast.

In addition to retail, customers can visit www.xfinity.com/acp, www.internetessentials.com, or call 844-389-4681 for more information, to determine eligibility, and sign up. A dedicated ACP Enrollment and Support Center is available from 8AM to 12AM daily, with multi-lingual capabilities to assist anyone interested in the program.

Internet Essentials is the nation’s largest and most successful private-sector low-income broadband adoption program. For more than a decade, Comcast has worked with trusted community partners, businesses, and government to help millions of low-income households connect to the Internet and the technology they need to participate in the digital world. Since launching in 2011, Internet Essentials has connected a cumulative total of more than 10 million people to the Internet at home, most for the very first time.

Project UP: Comcast’s $1 Billion Commitment to Advance Digital Equity

Comcast has been committed to connecting people to the Internet and the technology and skills they need to participate and excel in an increasingly digital world for over a decade. Looking toward the next ten years, Comcast is building on that foundation and expanding its impact through Project UP, a comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. Backed by a $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people, Project UP encompasses the programs and community partnerships across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators. For more information on Project UP and the latest news about Comcast’s ongoing efforts to advance digital equity visit https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up.