COVID-19 Student Device & Wi-Fi Deployment Options

Student Wi-Fi Deployment Options

Comcast/Xfinity

  • Comcast has announced a 60 days free DSL internet program for qualified households. Additionally, all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time.
  • They are also boosting the base speeds to 25/3, which would help with leveraging Canvas and video/synchronous learning like WebEx, etc. https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
  • Qualifications households include those where:
    • You are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and others.
    • You do not have outstanding debt to Comcast that is less than a year old. Families with outstanding debt more than one year old may still be eligible.
    • You live in an area where Comcast Internet service is available but have not subscribed to it within the last 90 days.
  • Customers must apply by April 30, 2020 at https://apply.internetessentials.com/

 

AT&T

  • AT&T has temporarily suspending broadband caps on WIRED service (i.e. DSL, Fiber optic). They also will not initiate disconnects for users with lapse bills for 60 days. AT&T is not offering a “free” DSL service, but they do have a low-cost Internet Service ($10/month) called AT&T Access for SNAP households with similar qualifications as the Xfinity offering. Customers must apply by April 30, 2020 at https://www.att.com/access

Student Device Purchase Options

Option 1 – Comcast Essentials student purchase program (Limited discounted available units)

From Comcast Internet Essentials

  • In addition to the 60 days free Comcast/Xfinity internet service, Comcast is providing those students that sign up as customers for a 12-month agreement, a purchase code option for a reduced cost laptop. This laptop purchase option will be offered to a limited number of students at the cost of $149.99. Customers must apply by April 30, 2020.
  • The proposed device specifications correspond with the HCC recommended minimum device specifications for users. o Wi-Fi internet service, after the 60-day free period, will be provided to the student at a cost of $9.95 per month (for a 12-month/1-year contract).
  • The link follows → https://internetessentials.com/ 

 

Option 2 – Barnes and Noble purchase

From HCC and Barnes & Noble Book Store

 

Option 3 – Dell Student Purchase

From Dell’s University Discount Student Portal

  • Dell will provide students the option to purchase a Dell Chromebook 11 3000 Series for $264.98.
  • The proposed device specifications correspond with the HCC recommended minimum device specifications for users.
  • Students must purchase their own Wi-Fi internet service and can choose to utilize one of the HCC recommended service options as desired. (See Additional Connectivity Options Information provided below)
  • The link follows → www.dell.com/hccs 

 

Additional Connectivity Options Information

ADDITIONAL Wi-Fi OPTIONS INFORMATION (Information Provided by Educause CIO Article) / Connectivity Options

FCC agreement: Stating that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hot spots.

Comcast COVID-19 response: Offers free Wi-Fi for 2 months to low income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time.

AT&T COVID-19 response: Offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low income families.

Charter Free Internet offer for 2 months: To ease the strain in this challenging time, beginning Monday, March 16, Charter commits to the following for 60 days:

  • 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 and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student
  • Charter will partner with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely. Charter will continue to offer Spectrum Internet Assist, high speed broadband program to eligible low- income households delivering speeds of 30
  • Charter will open its Wi-Fi hotspots across our footprint for public
  • Spectrum does not have data caps or hidden

Verizon COVID-19 response: No special offers but following the FCC agreement.

Sprint COVID-19 response: Follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge (I expect others will follow).

T-Mobile COVID-19 response: Follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge (I expect others will follow).