Access to Internet for Students

Posted on Apr 4, 2020 in Local Resources Related to Coronavirus |

Do you or someone you know need internet access for a school-aged child? There are various companies offering free internet connection as well as discounts to students who need to complete classes online. Contact your local service provider to inquire about access and discounts. The following links are examples of provider announcements.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Raise Speeds and Suspend Data Caps (read article)

ISPs raise speeds and suspend data caps

Comcast / Xfinity

https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19

https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19

Comcast has also opened their Xfinity hotspots for free. Anyone should be able to connect to one of those hotspots if it shows up in the available Wi-Fi connection on their device.

Charter / Spectrum

Charter Spectrum 60 days free access

Charter will offer FREE Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. The phone number is 1-844-488-8395.

https://www.foxcarolina.com/news/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-broadband-and-wi-fi/article_fe02c188-6798-11ea-843b-5f6f7ac2b748.html

Verizon has now increased the amount of data that can be used without penalty making cellphones useful for hotspots.

AT&T: Keeping Service Connected and Waiving Charges

AT&T is offering schools 60 days of unlimited data for laptops, tablets and hotspots

AT&T will keep their public Wi-Fi hotspots open for anyone who needs them

AT&T will keep service connected, waive late payment fees, and waive data, voice and text overage charges for any wireless customer experiencing hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In many rural areas, local school districts are parking school buses with Wi-Fi to make internet access available to students. Even though they are closed, public libraries, restaurants, and hotels are also boosting their coverage so that the internet is available outside the buildings. Areas such as Goose Creek have citywide internet coverage thanks to Google.