Comcast connects 41,000 families to Internet through low-cost program

Comcast announced that 41,000 families, an estimated 160,000 Americans, took advantage of the company's low-cost Internet program last year.

Comcast's Internet Essentials plan offers broadband Internet service for $9.95 per month to low-income families. The company agreed to offer the plan to gain approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its $13.8 billion merger with NBC-Universal last year. The plan also offers a laptop computer for less than $150 to eligible families. Comcast said it sold 5,500 computers during 2011. Comcast said it advertised the program in 4,000 school districts and more than 30,000 schools.