Comcast Launching More Than 20 WiFi-Connected “Lift Zones” in Twin Cities
Comcast has launched an initiative to install over 20 WiFi-connected 'Lift Zones' in the Twin Cities, aiming to provide free internet access for low-income families. This project, developed in partnership with local nonprofits, is designed to support students in distance learning, with the first Lift Zone established at the Sanneh Foundation Distanced Learning Hub. Comcast will offer free WiFi in these locations for three years, along with additional digital skills resources to aid families and site coordinators. This move aligns with Comcast's broader efforts to advance digital equity, serving over 8 million low-income individuals through its Internet Essentials program.
- Installation of over 20 Lift Zones in the Twin Cities to support low-income families.
- Free WiFi connectivity provided for three years to assist with distance learning.
- Partnership with local nonprofits to enhance educational opportunities for students.
- Comcast's Internet Essentials program has connected over 8 million low-income individuals to the Internet.
- None.
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of its ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet so they can fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy, Comcast today announced plans to equip more than 20 different locations in the Twin Cities with WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” before the end of 2020.
Working with its network of nonprofit partners, Comcast is providing robust WiFi hotspots in safe spaces designed to help students get online, participate in distance learning and do their homework. This initiative provides free connectivity inside partner community centers for the next three years.
The Sanneh Foundation Distanced Learning Hub at Conway Community Center in St. Paul was the first of 14 Lift Zones installed in the Twin Cities. The Sanneh Foundation Distanced Learning Hub provides much needed help to parents and guardians by providing a safe place each day for more than 140 students during normal school hours. The Lift Zone features free WiFi provided by Comcast, which allows students to work on laptops simultaneously so they can successfully participate in distance learning.
“Working parents across our community have been wondering how to handle distance learning for their children. In addition, many parents are not able to afford daycare or access to the technology needed for distance learning at home,” said Tony Sanneh, founder and CEO, The Sanneh Foundation. “That's why we are so grateful Comcast has partnered with us to provide these crucial resources and stepped in to fill an important need.”
“We are proud to partner with community organizations across the Twin Cities and equip them with free internet service and the digital training skills that will provide kids with safe, fast and reliable connectivity to keep up with school and prepare for a brighter future,” said J.D. Keller, regional senior vice president, Comcast Twin Cities. “The COVID-19 crisis continues to put many low-income students at risk of being left behind, accelerating the need for comprehensive digital equity and internet adoption programs to support them. We hope these Lift Zones will help those students who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to connect to effective distance learning at home.”
Twin Cities community organizations that have established Lift Zones in their respective facilities include:
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Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities locations
- Al Lenzmeier West Side, St. Paul
- East Side, St. Paul
- Jerry Gamble Center, Minneapolis
- Mount Airy, St. Paul
- Southside Village, South Minneapolis
- Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, St. Paul
- Keystone Community Services, St. Paul
- Neighborhood House, St. Paul
- Perspectives Family Center, St. Louis Park
- Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, Minneapolis
- Pillsbury United Communities, Brian Coyle Center, Minneapolis
- The Real Minneapolis, Allina Commons, Minneapolis
- The Sanneh Foundation, Conway Community Center, St. Paul
- Vietnamese Social Services, St. Paul
Several more Twin Cities Lift Zone partners are currently under consideration, including YMCA of the North and Division of Indian Work in partnership with the Phillips Indian Educators of Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors group, with the goal to have all locations installed by early 2021.
In addition, the company is providing free access to all outdoor WiFi hotspots until the end of 2020, plus hundreds of hours of digital skills content to help families and site coordinators navigate online learning. Lift Zone sites complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which has helped connect more than 8 million low-income people to the Internet at home, including more than 172,000 Minnesotans.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed Internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed Internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
