Comcast is increasing the speed of its Internet Essentials subscription, a $10-per-month internet connection for low-income families. New and existing users will be able to obtain download speeds of up to 50 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 5 Mbps starting March 1st. The news is part of the company’s aim to “bridge the digital divide” by addressing “digital literacy and the homework gap.” This is the second time in recent months that Comcast has increased the speed of Internet Essentials, which was increased to 25/3 Mbps in March 2020 in response to COVID-19.
The corporation is also offering to provide free, high-speed WiFi to 1,000 community centers across the country as part of the campaign. These “Lift Zones” are designed to provide a safe environment for children to access the internet, allowing them to access remote learning and finish homework when they are not at school. According to the corporation, it will reach its objective of 1,000 Lift Zones by the end of 2021, well ahead of schedule.
What is the best way for me to save $10 a month on WiFi?
Low-income families can take advantage of two programs offered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to save money on monthly internet bills.
Since 1985, the FCC Lifeline program has aided families across the country, but the Emergency Broadband Benefit program was formed in 2021 to assist families who have been adversely affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The FCC Lifeline Program
The cost of an Internet plan varies by state, but the average is between $50 and $100. If you increase that by a year, you could be paying more than $1,200 for access.
Citizens in every state, commonwealth, and territory can participate in the FCC Lifeline Program. This discount is available to anyone with incomes that are at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty level. A family may also be eligible if they engage in other government aid programs.
A broadband internet connection costs $9.95 per month for those who qualify. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) teamed up with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer the Lifeline Program, which helps people with their applications.
Many low-income families might benefit from qualifying for this lifeline discount, and if approved, they can save a lot of money. Internet providers, like the Lifeline program, give discounts to individuals who qualify.
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
Within the COVID-19 relief legislation, the federal government introduced a program to provide discounts to qualifying families who were negatively impacted by the pandemic.
Families that want to save money on internet can take advantage of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program in one of three ways:
- To apply and find providers in your area, go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org.
- For a mail-in application, call 833-511-0311 or print the application online.
Applications should be forwarded to the following address:
Here are some of the requirements for applying to and being accepted into this program. Families must meet at least one of the following criteria, according to the FCC:
- Your household income is less than or equivalent to 135% of the federal poverty level.
- You get help from the government through programs like SNAP, Lifeline, or Medicaid.
- You are eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
- For the current academic year, you’ve been awarded a Federal Pell Grant.
- As a result of a job loss or furlough, your income in 2020 was at or below $99,000 (single filers) and $198,000 (joint filers).
- You are eligible for your internet provider’s existing COVID-19 or low-income program.
If you meet these requirements, these two programs are worth checking into. It can help you and your family save money on internet bills, which can add up quickly when money is tight.
What is the best way to acquire the cheapest Comcast plan?
- Negotiate a lower price with retention ($585 value)
- By purchasing your own router ($14+ worth), you can avoid paying the router cost.
- Reduce your plan to receive new upgrade offers worth $10 or more.
- Cut the cord or reduce your TV package ($10100 worth)
- Add TV for a discounted price ($10+ value).
- Check for data overage costs and, if necessary, set limitations ($10+ value).
- Change to DSL or Fiber ($10 or more, depending on area)
- Register as a new customer ($20 or more in value)
- Apply for a low-income subsidized plan ($40+ value) if you qualify.
Have you been successful in lowering your bill? Please post your results in the (moderated) comments section below so that others might learn from them.
What is the best way to obtain free Xfinity WiFi without paying?
A low-income Internet Essentials bundle, which includes two months of free internet, is available from the corporation.
Although it is not high-speed, it will assist individuals in staying connected to the internet as more schools cancel courses and businesses urge employees to work from home.
The internet service speed for the program has been enhanced to 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads.
That boost will take effect immediately and will serve as the program’s new baseline speed in the future.
Xfinity WiFi hotspots will be available for free to anyone who needs them, including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers, around the country.
Select the “xfinitywifi network name” from the list of accessible hotspots once you’ve arrived at a hotspot, and then open a browser.
Comcast is also suspending customer data plans for 60 days, offering all customers free unlimited bandwidth.
If a consumer contacts them and tells them they can’t pay their bills during this time, the company says it won’t cut their internet service or charge them late fees.
How can I get free internet without paying at home?
What is the best way for me to receive free Internet at home without having to pay anything?
- Freedom Pop is an acronym for “Free Internet.”
- NetZero is a free internet service provider.
- Free Internet via Wi-Fi Hotspot.
- For free internet, check with your service provider.
- In your area, look for a Municipal Wireless Network.
- Request free internet from a neighbor.
- For Free Internet, use InstaBridge.
Is Xfinity Wi-Fi available for free?
Is it going to cost anything? All Xfinity Mobile customers, as well as eligible* Xfinity Internet customers, get Xfinity WiFi at no extra cost.
Is it possible to have just internet through Xfinity?
Yes. Internet-only subscriptions from Xfinity range in speed from 50 Mbps to 3,000 Mbps. Xfinity’s Internet-only rates start at $25 per month.
Is Netflix compatible with 50 Mbps?
If you want to watch Netflix, we recommend getting an internet package with at least 50 Mbps download speeds. This ensures that all of your connected devices, as well as one other person, may connect to the internet without having to flip a table over frustratingly sluggish internet speeds while watching Schitt’s Creek.
If you have a large family or several devices, we recommend 100 Mbps or higher download speeds.
And as for recommendations, here are a few for the finest streaming internet providers:
Xfinity internet
Xfinity is offered practically everywhere, and its rates are reasonable. You’ll have no trouble finding a reasonably priced 100 Mbps package, like as the Performance Select plan. Just keep in mind that the names and prices of Xfinity plans vary depending on where you reside.
If I threaten to cancel, will Comcast cut my bill?
That implies your cable company will be ready to offer you a substantial discount to keep your service, but only if they believe you will cancel otherwise. They have no reason to give you a discount if they believe you’re simply bluffing.
In May, a former Comcast rep told me, “It pays to play hardball.” From 2002 through 2009, he worked in a Comcast call center in Oregon. “Telling them you’re going to cancel will get you further than asking for a discount directly.”
So just state, “I’d like to cancel my service.” Almost sure, you’ll be moved to a “retention specialist” whose duty it is to persuade you to change your mind.
Be polite but firm
People in Comcast’s “retention” department are paid dependent on how well they are able to persuade you to keep your service without a significant discount. So they’ll do everything they can to persuade you to change your opinion for free.
Is there a senior citizen discount with Xfinity?
With speeds up to 200 Mbps, you’ll be able to connect many devices to the internet at once; even if your grandkids are playing video games in one room while you and your kids are watching a movie in another, your connection should stay stable. Plus, with a vast selection of HD channels to choose from, you’ll be able to keep up with all of your favorite shows and movies as they air.
Xfinity Internet Essentials
Xfinity does not presently offer any senior citizen discounts. Instead, they provide an Internet Essentials service that is tailored to low-income users and priced accordingly. For just $9.95 per month, the Internet Essentials plan provides enough bandwidth and speed to manage how most older citizens use the internet, as well as a few other bonuses.
The Internet Essentials plan covers the following features:
- Download rates of up to 25 Mbps are possible (good for email, social media, and web browsing)
- There are no expenses for activation or installation.
- Purchase a low-cost computer for as little as $149.99.
- Free internet skills training is available in three formats: online, in person, and in print.
- There is no long-term contract.
- There is no requirement for a credit check.
- Many localities have unlimited access to Xfinity hotspots.
While the essentials plan is a good choice for many seniors, especially those who don’t need to connect several devices or people at the same time, it isn’t just for them. In comparison, AT&T Access offers a competitively priced option for the same amount of data at $10 per month, however AT&T is confined to the less-reliable DSL connection in most places.
Participation in government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Social Security determines eligibility for Xfinity’s Internet Essentials service. This package is also only offered to new Xfinity customers who have not had an account with Xfinity or Comcast in the previous 90 days and do not owe Xfinity or Comcast any money.