Program offers internet service for just $9.95 a month for two years
Time Warner Cable has announced the launch of a pilot program designed to offer affordable broadband service to low-income families. The program supports the goals of the FCC’s Connect2Compete national initiative focused on providing low-cost broadband services to families across the US. With 54 participating schools, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) has the largest population of schools participating in Time Warner Cable’s pilot program.
“The Internet plays an essential role in the lives of Americans. Time Warner Cable is working hard to ensure that everyone has access to broadband, especially households with children who risk falling behind their peers in digital literacy,” said Peter Stern, executive vice president and chief strategy officer for the company. “In this case, doing good is also good for business, as we hope this program will help families who are currently offline understand the importance of, and appreciate the benefits of, an Internet connection.”
“Efforts to improve connections to the Internet will help better prepare our children for the future by increasing their curiosity and their access to knowledge,” said City of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. “Businesses play an important role in giving young people in Milwaukee hope. I’m thankful to Time Warner Cable for investing in our children.”
“Far too many of our families do not have access to the Internet, making the digital divide a barrier to student achievement and success,” said Milwaukee Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Gregory E. Thornton. “Thanks to this partnership, students, parents and families will now have a better opportunity to access a world of information that can help students make critical connections that will help improve access to information and academic opportunities.”
“I’m encouraged to see companies like Time Warner Cable taking steps to help low-income families gain access to affordable broadband services they need,” said Public Service Commission’s Chairperson Phil Montgomery. “Now, more than ever, students rely on broadband to help gain skills and obtain information to compete in a digital world.”
The new tier of broadband service, Starter Internet, will be available for $9.95 per month for up to two years. Four hundred schools across Time Warner Cable’s footprint have been selected to participate in the pilot program, and will be working to spread the word about its availability in their local communities. Starter Internet will be extended to families of students attending any one of the participating pilot schools. For MPS, families with students in one of 54 pilot schools are eligible for the Starter Internet service.
Eligible customers can apply from now through November 30 by calling (855) 746-8704 or by visiting www.twc.com/starterinternet, where a list of participating pilot schools is also available.
