KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Families and students across Knoxville will be able to connect to the internet easier after Comcast announced it launched 13 new "Lift Zones" in community spaces.
Lift Zones provide Wi-Fi hotspots for free, giving students the chance to get online and participate in virtual learning. Through these hotspots, low-income students can complete homework or connect with educators so they can succeed in school.
The hotspots also help adults connect to online learning, find jobs, learn about healthcare options and find other kinds of public assistance, according to a release from officials. Since the hotspots are built into community centers, people will also be able to find resources for other issues they may have.
A list of hotspots is available below:
- Boys and Girls Club - Northridge Crossing Location - 3916 Carus Road (open)
- Boys and Girls Club - Walter P Taylor Location - 317 McConnell Street (open)
- Boys and Girls Club - Haslam Location - 957 Irwin Street (open)
- Boys and Girls Club - Western Heights Location - 1331 W. Oldham Avenue (open)
- Morrison Hill Christian Church - 106 Morrison Hill Cir (open)
- Boys and Girls Club - Debusk Family Location - 1819 Dry Gap Pike (open)
- Boys and Girls Club – Montgomery Village - 4530 Joe Lewis Road (open)
- Boys and Girls Club – North Ridge Crossing Location - 3916 Carus Road (open)
- Boys and Girls Club - Clinch Valley Location - 102 S. Jefferson Circle (opening early June)
- Centro Hispano de E TN - 2455 Sutherland Ave (opening early June)
- Shora Foundation - 2425 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. (opening early June)
- Knox County John T. O’Connor Senior Citizens Center - 611 Winona St. (open)
- Boys and Girls Club - Vestal Club - 522 Maryville Pike #2412 (open)
Demand for internet access increased across the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as several jobs and school systems moved to a digital environment. Internet access is also vital for families who need information about how to stay healthy or treat sicknesses.
The launch of the hotspots is part of Comcast's plan to develop more than 1,000 Lift Zones at community centers across the U.S.