Comcast Doesn’t Want To Improve Its ‘Internet Essentials’ Program For Low-Income Consumers

By Chris Morran

February 16, 2015

With Comcast’s $45 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable nearing the finish line, you’d think the company would be willing to do something as insignificant as make promises to improve its broadband program for low-income users. You’d be wrong.

As part of its deal to acquire NBC Universal back in 2011, Comcast convinced regulators that it would create a broadband program for lower-income Americans to help them get online in a world where Internet access is increasingly important.

Since that program, dubbed Internet Essentials, launched, it’s been criticized by consumer advocates as little more than window-dressing that erects up too many barriers to entry and provides too few benefits for subscribers.

Comcast Gets a Merger Approval, But Objects to New Low-Income Requirements

California seeks more cheap Internet for the poor. Comcast says it's too hard.

By Jon Brodkin

Feb 14, 2015

California has tentatively approved Comcast's $45.2 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable, but Comcast isn't entirely happy because some of the conditions demanded by the state "create a more intrusive regulatory regime."

The proposed approval with conditions came yesterday from Public Utilities Commission Administrative Law Judge Karl Bemesderfer. Comcast Executive VP David Cohen quickly wrote a response criticizing Bemesderfer's proposed conditions.

For Immediate Release

Updated: February 16, 2015

Contact: Susan Walters, Senior Vice President
Office: 415-744-2385
Email: [email protected]

Proposed Decision of California Public Utilities Commission Administrative Law Judge Recommends Approval of Comcast-TWC Merger and Requires Major Expansion of Low-Cost Internet Program

Proposed CPUC decision requires Comcast to offer affordable Internet service to all low-income households, enroll 45% of eligible households in 2 years

San Francisco, CA – February 16, 2015 – The presiding Administrative Law Judge at the California Public Utilities Commission on Friday issued a proposed decision for approval of the merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable, Inc. but requiring significant public interest conditions that were requested by the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the Digital Divide in California.  CETF urges the full Commission to approve the proposed decision with a yes vote on Thursday, March 26, 2015, after comments are received on the decision by parties.  Among the highlights: