Knight Foundation Donating $3 Million to Connect2Compete

Low-cost broadband program preparing to launch in almost 1,000 communities

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/3/2012 9:35:53 AM

Connect2Compete (C2C), the cable operator-backed public-private partnership for broadband deployment and adoption to low-income households, is getting a $3 million infusion from the Knight Foundation.

C2C was launched by the FCC last November, expanding on Comcast's Internet Essentials model of providing low-cost broadband -- $9.95 a month -- digital literacy education and a low-cost computer to every home with a school-age child who qualifies for the nation's free-lunch program.

C2C had a three-year goal of raising $20 million to help provide those computers, access and training, and is now over a third of the way there including a $3 million donation from the foundation of Mexican telecommunications entrepreneur Carlos Slim in May. The Slim donation is to help fund a digital literacy ad campaign in conjunction with the Ad Council, which produces and distributes PSAs by putting together donated creative with donated ad time from broadcasters, cable operators and others.

"Low-income and minority Americans disproportionately find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide - excluded from the $8 trillion digital economy and all of its benefits. So it is extremely gratifying to have the long-term support of the Knight Foundation to bridge that divide," said C2C CEO Zach Leverenz in a statement.

C2C is in the process of launching a national pilot program in almost 1,000 communities in 22 states.

The White House and FCC are pushing for universal broadband adoption as government services, education, health care, entertainment are moving online.