ATLANTA, Ga., July 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications today announced it is extending its efforts to close the digital divide through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's ConnectHome internet adoption project.

ConnectHome is a pilot program launching in twenty-seven cities and one tribal nation, and is focused on expanding high-speed internet service to low-income households. The program was announced today by President Obama and U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro.

Cox serves four of the municipalities that have been volunteered for the pilot: Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Macon, Georgia; Meriden, Connecticut; and New Orleans, Louisiana. In these cities, Cox will partner with local public housing authorities to offer home internet service for $9.95 per month to eligible families with school-aged children.  Additionally, in Macon, the James M. Cox Foundation will make 1,500 discounted tablets, pre-loaded with educational software, available for $30 to students and their families participating in ConnectHome.

 "As Internet-based homework quickly becomes the norm, students who don't have internet at home struggle to keep up. This is especially challenging for low-income families who are disproportionately on the wrong side of the digital divide," said Cox Communications President Pat Esser. "We are excited to build upon our strong foundation of community support for our broadband adoption efforts, and will continue to leverage public-private partnerships to provide students and their families the tools and technology they need for future success."

Cox has led the industry by voluntarily offering affordable Internet service to low-income families with school-aged children.  The company was a founding partner of Connect2Compete, which provides affordable Internet service and devices to K-12 students and their families who qualify for the National School Lunch Program. The program is modeled after a broadband adoption program Cox launched in California in 1999. Since 2012, Cox has connected more than 100,000 low-income Americans to the internet through the Connect2Compete program.

In addition to providing access to internet service in the home, Cox has been a National Technology Partner of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for more than a decade, funding more than 75 Cox Technology Centers across its 18-state footprint. Its commercial services division, Cox Business, provides Internet services to more than 7,400 schools serving 4 million students. 

"As a partner in Connect2Compete and now ConnectHome, we're excited to join Cox Communications -- one of our core partners since our launch in 2012 -- in this venture and bring our knowledge of home adoption to local communities," said EveryoneOn Chief Executive Officer Zach Leverenz. "The road to ending the digital divide is a challenging one and ConnectHome is a vital part of helping connect hundreds of thousands of individuals across the country."

Connect2Compete (C2C) is EveryoneOn's flagship program for K-12 students and provides affordable Internet and devices to students and families that qualify for the National School Lunch Program.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and digital media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For eight years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity 10 times, including the last nine years. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

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SOURCE Cox Communications