Rogers bridging the digital divide for up to 150,000 Canadians

Rogers Communications Canada Inc. - English

Connected for Success to expand across Rogers' entire cable internet footprint

$9.99/month internet available to tenants with low-incomes in 533 non-profit housing organizations

OTTAWA, April 7, 2016 /CNW/ - Rogers is investing in communities by expanding its Connected for Success program, which started in Toronto in 2013, to everywhere it provides internet service. This means families and individuals living in rent-geared-to-income non-profit housing in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador will now have the opportunity to benefit from very low-cost internet access to help them fully participate in the digital economy.

"We've had a tremendous response to our pilot project with Toronto Community Housing and are thrilled to expand Connected for Success to our whole cable internet footprint," said Deepak Khandelwal, Chief Customer Officer, Rogers Communications. "From kids connecting after the school day is done to seniors staying in touch with their friends and using banking or government services, internet access isn't a nice to have – it's a necessity in our digital world."

The expansion is kicking off in Ottawa, in partnership with Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation and other non-profit housing agencies. The service is available for $9.99/month and includes speeds of up to 10 Mbps download and up to 1 Mbps upload.

"We're really excited that our tenants will be able to take advantage of this offer. It's especially important that kids will be able to access the internet from an early age so they can learn and not fall behind," said Debbie Barton, Manager, Rental Department, Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation. "We thank Rogers for expanding this program and look forward to a great partnership."

533 non-profit housing agencies across Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador are eligible to enter into a two-year partnership with Rogers as part of the Connected for Success program. All of their residents in rent-geared-to-income units are eligible for the offer.

A recent Ipsos-Reid study found that while 91% of Canadians currently access the internet at home, that number drops to 70% in households with an annual income under $25,000.

Rogers has also launched Internet 5, a new low-cost service for $24.99 (Modem rental $8/month extra) that is available to anyone within Rogers' internet service area.

Residents in non-profit housing receiving the rent-geared-to-income subsidy can call 1-866-689-0758 for more information about Connected for Success, and people interested in Internet 5 can call 1-888-ROGERS1.

About Rogers
Rogers is a leading diversified Canadian communications and media company.  We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services to consumers and businesses. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).

SOURCE Rogers Communications Canada Inc. - English

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