Comcast Expands Low-Income Broadband Program, Adding 3 Million Households

Comcast is boosting eligibility of its Internet Essentials program of broadband access for low-income subscribers, with new criteria opening it up to an estimated 3 million more households in its footprint, the company said Tuesday. It said about 7 million households now are eligible, and 2 million households have signed up since it launched the program in August 2011. It's adding as eligible applicants who are participating in one of a variety of government assistance programs such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Supplemental Security Income, it said. The Free State Foundation applauded the move.