Comcast’s Project UP: Bridging the Digital Divide for Digital Equity

Comcast, a company that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B), is committed to making digital equity a reality through Project UP. This 10-year, $1 billion initiative aims to ensure that everyone has access to broadband internet, a computer, and the digital skills necessary, regardless of their location or financial situation.

One of Comcast’s core digital equity programs is Internet Essentials, which has connected 1.9 million Illinois residents to the internet at home since 2011. Internet Essentials is the largest broadband adoption program in the nation, providing low-cost internet service to eligible households with students of all ages, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and public housing residents. In addition, Comcast participates in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which covers up to $30 of internet and/or mobile bills for eligible households, making Internet Essentials free for some.

Recognizing that not everyone has access to internet service at home, Comcast has created Lift Zones. These safe spaces at community organizations allow school children to access the internet for remote learning and homework, while adults can use them to access essential services, search for jobs, and build digital skills. With over 1,300 Lift Zones across the country, including more than 90 in the Chicago region, Comcast is actively bridging the digital gap for underserved communities.

While Comcast has made significant progress in addressing internet access in the communities it serves, the focus now is on digital skill building. A recent report the National Skills Coalition found that 90% of jobs in Illinois require digital skills, yet one-third of US workers lack these skills. By investing in closing the digital skills divide, workers can earn higher wages, and businesses and the economy can benefit as well.

Digital equity programs like Project UP have the power to change lives, strengthen workforces, and drive economic growth. Comcast is proud to have helped millions of people across diverse communities cross the digital divide in the Chicago area and beyond.

Source: Comcast (Jack Segal, Regional Vice President of Communications)