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Cable Industry Increases Deployment of Free Internet Service to Schools

  • 03/01/00
More than 5,700 schools and public libraries across the country are receiving free, high-speed cable modem Internet service as a result of the cable television industry’s commitment to education. National Cable Television Association (NCTA) president and CEO Robert Sachs announced that cable’s public service deployment of free Internet service has more than doubled over the past year, benefiting schools and public libraries in more than 1,100 communities across the country. This number is up from 692 communities and 2,500 schools and libraries receiving free service from NCTA in October of 1998.

The program began in July 1996, before the E-Rate was established, with Cable’s High-Speed Education Connection, a nationwide commitment by cable companies to provide free high-speed cable modem service to elementary and secondary schools. In Sachs’ recent announcement, he stated, “The cable industry supports the precept that all children — regardless of where or under what economic circumstances they may live — should have equal opportunity to participate in the information revolution.”

Other manifestations of the cable industry’s commitment to education include Cable in the Classroom and the webTeacher Web site. Now in its eleventh year, Cable in the Classroom provides more than 540 hours of commercial-free, educational programming each month. Need for teacher training led to the creation of webTeacher, a comprehensive, interactive online tutorial designed for teachers. It can be used individually or as part of a group training session. NCTA, Washington, DC, (202) 775-3669, www.ncta.com.

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