Cox Goes National With Connect2Compete Initiative

Following a string of launches last year, Cox Communications has gone national with the rollout of a discounted Internet product that’s linked to the cable industry-backed Connect2Compete initiative.

The Connect2Compete program targets low-income families with children that qualify for the National Free School Lunch program. Cox is offering its Starter Internet service to eligible families for $9.95 per month for two years, including free installation and modem rental fees. The program also offers access to low-cost computers and free digital literacy training to families. Connect2Compete is the cable operator-backed public-private partnership for broadband deployment and adoption to low-income households who are not currently broadband subs. C2C was launched by the Federal Communications Commission last November, expanding on Comcast's Internet Essentials model. Comcast's program, now in its second year and a voluntary commitment tied to its acquisition of NBC Universal, has signed up more than 100,000 families so far. C2C, meanwhile, has a three-year goal of raising $20 million to help provide computers, access and training.