Mayor Walsh and Comcast Announce Senior Discounts
Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced an agreement with Comcast Cable to extend the Boston Cable License through October 8, 2020. The agreement introduces improved senior discount opportunities for cable TV while preserving the legacy senior discount package for existing customers. In addition to the senior cable TV discounts, Comcast will be offering eligible Boston seniors an opportunity to purchase significantly discounted high-speed internet access.
"We are committed to giving back and improving the quality of life for our seniors, and I am proud we have been able to partner with Comcast to save our seniors money," said Mayor Walsh. "In my State of the City address, I called on essential service providers to improve discounts our seniors. In reaching this agreement, and with Comcast introducing the Internet Essentials Senior Pilot Program, we are meeting that goal. We hope our pilot program will serve as a model for cities and providers across the country."
The benefits that Comcast will offer eligible Boston seniors include:
- A ten percent discount on both Basic and Digital Starter Cable TV;
- Continued support for Senior Basic Lifeline cable service at $5.00/month for existing customers, and;
- Internet Essentials high-speed service for $9.95/month, and access to discounted equipment and training programs.
"We have made real and significant progress toward closing the digital divide for low-income parents and children across the country. In less than four years, Internet Essentials connected more than 500,000 families, or more than 2 million low-income Americans, to the power of the Internet at home," said David L. Cohen, Comcast Corporation Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer. "Here now in Boston, we are offering our first-in-New England low-income senior citizen pilot. Seniors can get connected to the Internet in their homes and use it to communicate with friends and family, access healthcare and financial information, and enjoy online news and entertainment."
"Serving the people and businesses of the City of Boston has always been a great privilege for Comcast since we began doing business here in 2003," said Comcast Regional Senior Vice President, Tracy Pitcher. "We are looking forward to continuing to offer Bostonians the best Comcast has to offer in innovative products, services and customer experiences for many years to come.''
"Extending the terms of the current franchise until 2020 secures and enhances the benefits received by the City in the existing Comcast agreement," said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief Information Officer for the City of Boston. "And it helps support our goals of digital equity and inclusion for all residents.''
The Internet Essentials Senior Pilot Program resource line can be accessed by eligible seniors effective November 11, 2015. To learn more about the Internet Essentials Senior Pilot Program, please call 1-855-804-8010.
