Internet Essentials Launches in Philadelphia

Yesterday, at the Salvation Army Kroc Community Center in the Northern Philadelphia neighborhood of Nicetown, Brian L. Roberts and David L. Cohen announced that Internet Essentials officially launched in the City of Philadelphia. Mayor Michael Nutter, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis and Acting Superintendant/Chief Executive for the School District of Philadelphia Dr. Leroy David Nunery II all made remarks in support of the effort. Also in attendance were dozens of state and local elected officials as well as numerous non-profit leaders all committed to spread the word about this important initiative designed to help close the digital divide. Here is what Mayor Nutter had to say about the program:

With an estimated 230,000 kids in Philadelphia not connected to the Internet at home, Comcast hopes that Internet Essentials can go a long way in helping to bring broadband into more homes and give kids the chance to explore all that the Internet has to offer.

Earlier yesterday morning, Brian L. Roberts and David L. Cohen were joined by Mayor Nutter at one of the KIPP Charter schools in North Philadelphia. There, they met with CEO/Founder Marc Mannella and Principal Eric Leslie to greet kids as they stepped off their buses and entered their first full day of school for the 2011-2012 academic year.

For the kids at KIPP, many of whom don't have Internet access at home, a program like Internet Essentials can help them use the school's math education resources, like "First in Math" where the students can go online outside of school hours to help improve their math proficiency.

Parents at KIPP could also benefit from having broadband access at home. Through "PowerSchool" KIPP school parents can access and view important aspects of their child's education in real time. For example, they can see what classes are being taken, what homework assignments are completed (or need to be completed), test scores and a lot more.

Parents at KIPP could also benefit from having broadband access at home. Through "PowerSchool" KIPP school parents can access and view important aspects of their child's education in real time. For example, they can see what classes are being taken, what homework assignments are completed (or need to be completed), test scores and a lot more.

As more kids return to school this month, Comcast will continue to introduce Internet Essentials to more cities across the country.

To read previous announcements about the program, click here.