Cox Communication launched the Connext2Compete initiative in Virginia Monday at a ribbon cutting ceremony in Fairfax County attended by Fairfax County Board of supervisors chairman Sharon Bulova, Federal Communications Commission acting chairwoman Mignon Clyburn, Connect2Compete CEO Zach Leverenz, and representatives from LULAC and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington.
Connect2Compete is a national not-for-profit initiative aimed at extending broadband access to families with children (K-12) participating in the National Free Lunch program, by offering discounted high-speed Internet service. Families that qualify will be eligible for high-speed Internet service for $9.95 per month, a free modem and free professional installation.
The expansion to Virginia follows a successful pilot of the program; the C2C program is modeled after a broadband adoption program Cox started in Santa Barbara, Calif., in 2002. Cox announced its national rollout of the program in April.
“Cox has a strong history of supporting broadband adoption programs across the country, and doing so in a way that connects the most vulnerable members of our society - our children - so they can compete and have a greater chance of success in the digital world that awaits them,” said Cox Virginia SVP and GM Gary McCollum, in a statement.
“For years Cox Communications has been a tremendous partner to Fairfax County. With Connect 2Compete launching in Virginia, disadvantaged children and families will have the opportunity to connect to the internet and the world,” added Bulova.
