At Comcast, Military Engagement and building a future of unlimited possibilities for veterans, service members, and military families are part of our company’s DNA, and we’re honored to partner with organizations meeting the needs of veterans, servicemembers, and military families. As we honor veterans throughout National Veterans & Military Families Month and year-round, we are proud to spotlight Willie Williams, a 16-year U.S. Coast Guard veteran who shared his story on how the support from the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center and access to technology has improved his life.
With two “Lift Zones” at the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center’s Hyannis and Mashpee locations, Comcast provides free, high-speed WiFi to help connect Willie and other veterans to the Internet so they can complete digital literacy training, participate in distance learning or remote work and apply for jobs. Comcast has installed over 1,000 Lift Zones in community centers across the country – with more than 70 across Massachusetts – as part of Project UP, a comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.
“Knowledge is power! I’m thankful for the outreach center and Comcast for allowing me to access all of this,” said Willie.
In the video below, Willie describes how the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center helped him overcome homelessness and further his passion of learning through Comcast’s Lift Zone.
“The veterans we serve on the Cape & Islands needed increased connectivity in order to complete digital literacy training programs and better engage with their community. Comcast powering our centers with WiFi-connected Lift Zones gives us the bandwidth and speed we need to provide veterans like Willie with an array of tools and online applications,” said Jim Seymour, Executive Director of the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center.
Millions of eligible low-income households now have greater access to affordable broadband through many tools and programs available to them. Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials, which has helped connect a cumulative total of over 10 million low-income Americans to the Internet at home since 2011, including more than 388,000 in Massachusetts. Qualifying households can also take advantage of the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides eligible residents with up to a $30/month ($75/month on Tribal lands) credit toward their Internet and/or mobile service. When combined with Comcast’s Internet Essentials, customers can effectively get broadband for free after the government credit is applied.
Find more information on Comcast’s efforts to advance digital equity here. Additional information on Comcast’s commitment to veterans and the military community is available here.
