Partnership Provides Free WiFi Access, Plus a
$500,000 Grant for a Technology
Makeover
That Will Enable Virtual Digital Skills Training Across
the State of Georgia
ATLANTA, Oct. 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast announced today it has
installed its first Flagship Lift Zone in partnership with
Inspiredu in Atlanta, Georgia.
Building on the legacy of its award-winning Lift Zone program,
which now offers free WiFi in more than 1,250 community centers
nationwide, this inaugural Flagship Lift Zone continues five years
of proud collaboration between Comcast and Inspiredu. Not only will
Inspiredu still provide free, fast, and reliable WiFi for visitors,
powered by Comcast Business, but also expand its reach and capacity
with a grant of more than $500,000.
The investment will fund a technology makeover as well as the
ability to deliver even more digital skills training classes.
"Lift Zones are about more than just providing free access to
the Internet. They are about teaching people how to use the power
of broadband to transform their lives and careers," said
Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief
Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms, Comcast. "The
biggest barrier to getting online is not having the skills or the
resources to do so. With this Flagship Lift Zone, Inspiredu will
now be able to make an even greater impact."
Comcast's Lift Zones program, a key component of Project UP, is
part of the company's comprehensive, $1
billion commitment to advance digital equity and build a
future of unlimited possibilities. Since its launch in 2020, Lift
Zones have provided essential internet access for those in need
outside the home. It also complements Comcast's Internet Essentials
program, which offers in-home broadband connectivity to
lower-income families.
"These resources will help us expand our reach not just in our
local community, or even in the greater Atlanta metro area. Now, we'll be able to
provide digital skills training classes remotely to anyone,
anywhere in the great state of Georgia," said Richard
Hicks, CEO & President of Inspiredu. "Given Comcast's
focus on the Internet and ensuring that everyone has the skills to
navigate it, I can think of no greater partner for us at
Inspiredu."
"This Flagship Lift Zone represents the next step in our
long-standing partnership with Inspiredu to bridge the digital
divide here in Atlanta," said
Mike McArdle, Senior Vice President
of Comcast's Big South Region. "By providing free, high-speed
Internet access and technology resources, we're empowering even
more Atlantans to learn, grow and connect to opportunities that can
transform their lives. We're proud to further our work with
Inspiredu and invest in creating a brighter digital future for our
communities."
Technology Makeover
Comcast and Inspiredu
collaborated to develop a customized plan to ensure the
organization could expand its reach through the use of
state-of-the-art technology. As Inspiredu was already making a
significant capital investment to upgrade its facilities, Comcast
was able to partner early in that planning process to ensure WiFi
access points with increased reliability and speed were installed
throughout the facility. In addition, other tech upgrades funded by
Comcast include:
- Digital cameras and whiteboards in two fully connected
classrooms equipped with four 85-inch Yealink screens to offer both
in-person and hybrid instruction.
- A Muraflex wall that can transform the classroom area into
a spacious room for up to 50 students, two smaller rooms for up to
25 students, or a fully open space to accommodate large, community
events.
- Two 85-inch television screens to display real-time updates,
special announcements, upcoming events, and daily class
schedules.
- Enhanced audio-visual and design in the huddle rooms, designed
for up to four people to enable Inspiredu staff to deliver
digital navigator counseling sessions in a private setting.
Digital Skills Training
Part of Comcast's
investment will also enable Inspiredu to hire
more instructors, doubling the number of teachers from four to
eight. This allows Inspiredu to teach both large
format classes, as well as offer a greater variety of smaller, more
specialized courses around topics like cyber security, financial
literacy, and coding.
Over the last three years, Comcast has made more than
$47.9 million in cash and in-kind
contributions to more than 70 Georgia-based nonprofit
organizations. These contributions support local community programs
that help establish and promote the company's Digital Equity
Network in Georgia. Comcast's
network of digital equity partners helps people acquire computers,
provide digital skills trainings, and offer opportunities for
community members to explore and train for careers in tech-related
fields. They can also develop the kinds of digital skills that can
help them launch and grow their own business.
About Inspiredu
Inspiredu is a Georgia-based non-profit working to bridge the
gaps in device ownership, digital literacy, and digital access by
providing Georgia's most
marginalized and vulnerable citizens with the devices and training
they need to join the global internet community. In Inspiredu's
digital skilling workshops, participants learn fundamental
technical skills such operating the computer and accessing the
internet, practicing internet safety, using basic software such as
Microsoft Office, understanding how to use technology to increase
financial wellness or acquire certifications to bolster work
readiness, and understanding how to use online resources to support
student learning. The communities that Inspiredu serves, both rural
and urban, are families of meager or lower incomes who lack the
devices and training necessary to take advantage of recent
broadband initiatives in Georgia.
To learn more, please visit https://www.iuatl.org.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq:
CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the
connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and
experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of
customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class
broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business,
and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment,
sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo,
Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and
attractions to life through Universal Destinations &
Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more
information.
Media Contacts:
Portia
Akins, Comcast, portia_akins@comcast.com
or 470.322.0332; https://south.comcast.com/
Francesca Rodriguez-Williams,
Inspiredu, fwilliams@iuatl.org or 404.593.0490
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