Submitted by Comcast
Comcast today announced a new development to help some Thurston County 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 Olympia 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 Olympia 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 17,000 households in Thurston County, including over 3,500 in Olympia 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.
