Cox Communications appears to be in step with new FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's focus on closing the digital divide, stepping up its efforts in concert with the American Library Association.

Cox President Pat Esser plans to announce later today that the company is boosting its long-standing Connect2Compete efforts--since the late 1990's--to provide broadband access to low income Americans by increasing access to digital literacy training for students and families at libraries and online (www.digitallearn.org).

The company points out that more than nine out of 10 students say Internet is required to do their homework.

Cox says it will create, in partnership with the ALA, customized training courses in both English and Spanish in Tucson (where Esser will announce the effort), as well as Topeka and Baton Rouge, then study the outcomes.

In addition, all Cox markets and local libraries in those markets will "collaborate on digital literacy and internet adoption initiatives, including an advertising campaign on Cox’s cross-channel cable lineup."

Cox customers will be able to access training at www.digitallearn.org as well as in many of the 1,500 libraries in the company's footprint (18 states).

“Experience with computers and the internet is necessary for competing in today’s digital world,” said Esser in a statement about the pilot project. “Through our partnership, we will ensure that the libraries never close for our families, expanding the reach of their digital collections and services, and empowering more families to experience limitless learning and full participation in the knowledge economy.”

“America’s libraries combine the expertise of our librarians with a robust technology infrastructure and growing digital resources to advance digital opportunity for all in our nation,” said ALA President Julie Todaro of the joint effort.  “We look forward to working with Cox to further extend our reach and resources to help more families thrive online.”

Cable ops have long said that digital literacy, in addition to access, is a key component of driving broadband use. "Those who receive formal digital literacy training (as opposed to informal assistance from family or friends) are significantly more likely to use the internet to pursue economic opportunities and cultivate social ties," says Cox.

Cox has been a major force in Connect2Compete, the industry program providing discount broadband to families of kids eligible for school lunch programs. In addition, last year Cox began offering free in-home WiFi for Connect2Compete participants.

Charter Communications announced a new low-cost broadband service for low-income customers that the MSO pledged to offer within six months of the close of its proposed acquisitions of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.  

The service, which will be offered across Charter’s footprint within three years of close, will deliver speeds of up to 30 Mbps downstream and 4 Mbps upstream for  $14.99 per month. The speeds happen to exceed  FCC’s current definition of wireline  “broadband”  -- 25 Mbps down by 3 Mbps up.

Other MSOs have launched similar high-speed Internet options for low-income families. Those from Cox Communications (Connect2Compete) and Comcast (Internet Essentials) currently offer max downstream speeds of 10 Mbps, but cost less to homes that qualify -- $9.95 per month. The Cox and Comcast programs also provide free WiFi routers, and Comcast’s provides access to discounted computer equipment (less than $150).

Charter, meanwhile, will hang its hat on  faster speeds through its $14.99 per month program, which is targeted to families with students who participate in the National School Lunch Program, and seniors who are 65 years and older who receive Supplemental Security Income program benefits. Additionally, enrollees can’t have had a Charter, TWC, or BHN broadband subscription within 60 days of signing up. Eligible participants won’t need to undergo a credit check, but must clear any bad debt with the three MSOs.

In addition to the 30/4 service and a free modem and self-install kit, Charter’s low-cost option for eligible subs will also be in line to receive “promotional” video and phone service bundle offerings.

"Recognizing the central role broadband plays in our daily lives and the economic challenges faced by many Americans today, we look forward to launching this offering that will provide more consumers a superior broadband service," Tom Rutledge, president and CEO of Charter, said in a statement.  "Our industry-leading low-cost broadband service is just one of the many benefits these transactions will bring to our customers. We look forward to providing this superior broadband service to underserved families and seniors throughout Charter's footprint."

Charter’s plan drew praise from Public Knowledge, a group that is scrutinizing the proposed deals.

"Although we still have significant concerns about Charter's proposed merger with Time Warner Cable, we also recognize that some of the commitments that Charter has made could serve as a model for the rest of the cable and broadband industry,” said John Bergmayer, senior staff attorney with Public Knowledge, in a statement. “For example, its commitment not to impose data caps on its users. Similarly, Charter's effort to make it easier for low-income seniors and families with children to access broadband service has many good attributes, including fast broadband speeds. In conjunction with a modernized Lifeline program, Charter's proposal can help the nation achieve universal affordable access."

In its announcement, Charter rallied support from leaders with several organizations, including the  National Urban League, National Action Network, League of United Latin American Citizens,  The National Hispanic Media Coalition, California School Boards Association, Connected Nation, Digital Divide Partners LLC, NOBEL Women’s Initiative, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and the Los Angeles Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC).

Cox Communications is doubling the downstream speed and bringing an in-home WiFi component to Connect2Compete, the MSO’s high-speed Internet program for low-income families with school-aged children.

Cox said it will bump downstream speeds for the program to 10 Mbps, and tack on WiFi for $9.95 per month. The new speeds take effect on  December 3, and will benefit nearly 130,000 people who are on the program. WiFi equipment will be included for all new enrollments in the program after December3.

The MSO announced the updates today at Broadmoor High School in East Baton Rouge Parish in Louisiana, and was joined there by FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai.

"Students with high-speed Internet access at home have educational opportunities that were inconceivable just a generation ago,” Pai said in a statement. “But students without it are essentially stuck in the era of the No. 2 pencil," said Commissioner Pai. "I applaud Cox Communications for helping to bridge this gap with its Connect2Compete program. By offering fast, affordable Internet access and WiFi connections at home, Cox is giving students in Baton Rouge and around the country every chance to succeed in the digital age."

"Affordable, home access to the Internet, especially for students and their families, is a vital component of ending the digital divide," added  Zach Leverenz, CEO of EveryoneOn, the parent organization of Connect2Compete. "Digital equity for students inside and outside of school also requires equity in the type and quality of service. Cox Communications' commitment to not only providing affordable service, but also expanded speeds and WiFi, is an important part of home access for the underserved populations."

Cox went national with Connect2Compete in April 2013.

Among other MSOs, Comcast recently doubled Internet Essentials’ download speeds to up to 10 Mbps, added free WiFi routers to the mix, and has begun to test a version of the program for low-income community college students.

Cox Communications has opened a technology center at the new Desert Pines Boys & Girls Club in east Las Vegas and launched a “re-deployment” of Connect2Compete (C2C), a program that offers discounted high-speed Internet service to qualified low-income families.

Cox made the announcements Tuesday (April 14) at Desert Pines Boys & Girls Club facility, with Michael O’Reilly among the scheduled speakers. 

The Desert Pines Tech Center will feature 15 Dell desktop computers with 20-inch monitors, 4GB memory,1TB hard drive and a Microsoft software package.

“Connecting youth to technology is a core value of Cox Communications, and we are thrilled to see the tremendous momentum with our Connect2Compete program,” said John Wolfe, senior vice president and region manager for Cox’s Southwest Region, in a statement. “Families are recognizing that the Internet is a critical educational resource for today’s students to stay competitive in the classroom.”

Cox, citing Connect Nevada’s 2013 Residential Technology Assessment, said 81% of households in Nevada subscribe to home broadband services, up from 78% in 2010. However home broadband adoption in the state varies across economic and demographic lines -- the adoption rate for low-income households is 55% while for Hispanics it’s 70% and African Americans 82%.

To help narrow the Digital Divide, Cox is strengthening its C2C campaign in the “Desert Pines Corridor,” a three square mile area served by nine East Las Vegas schools near the Desert Pines Boys & Girls Club where the Cox Technology Center is opening.

Nationally, nearly 25,000 families, representing 100,000 people, are now connected to the Internet through the company’s Connect2Compete program, Cox said, adding that, across its 18-state footprint, more than 1 million promotional flyers have been distributed to families in 6,500 schools, and more than 500,000 public service announcements have aired on its cross-channel cable network lineup.

Cox said its support of the Connect2Compete program exceeds $20 million since 2012.