Millions of children are home and we want to ensure those kids can keep learning with wireless tools and great educational resources. The wireless industry is expanding existing industry-leading efforts to connected unserved and underserved communities.

This includes the new Connecting Kids Initiative, a resource for schools and school districts to help keep kids learning in these unprecedented times. Schools districts are encouraged to submit their connectivity needs, and we will help connect them to wireless operators in their communities.

AT&T announced that it is contributing qualified schools activating new lines on qualified data-only plans for school-issued tablets, 4G LTE-enabled laptops and hotspot devices will get unlimited wireless data service at no cost for 60 days. It also committed more than $2M to small businesses focused on distance learning solutions and organizations supporting teachers, underwrote an online resource for eLearning Days from the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) and launched a new $10 million Distance Learning and Family Connections fund, including contributions to Kahn Academy and funding 60 free days of the Caribu app.
Verizon has tripled its monthly data allowance for Verizon Innovative Learning Tier 1 middle schools and has committed $10 million to nonprofits directed at supporting students and first responders. A fast track to Verizon’s national Distance Learning Program is now available to more than 38 million students across 40 states and the District of Columbia. Verizon is also helping bridge the digital divide through Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement. Citizen Verizon will help more students than ever stay connected and thrive in today’s virtual learning environment by providing 10 million young people with the digital skills training necessary for them to thrive in a modern economy.
T-Mobile announced the launch of Project 10Million, offering school districts free internet access and mobile hotspots for 10 million eligible households. With many schools moving to remote learning due to COVID-19, so the initiative is also offering school districts low-cost options to increased monthly data plans to provide connectivity to their students for free. T-Mobile also increased the data allowance to 20GB/month for free to schools and students using their EmpowerED digital learning programs.
UScellular donated over $100,000 in much needed technology to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The donation supported 13 Clubs with a variety of technology including tablets, laptops, video production equipment, headphones and video cameras as they prepared for back to school in these unprecedented times.
Intel pledged more than $50 million in a pandemic response technology initiative to combat the disease through accelerating access to technology at the point of patient care, speeding scientific research and ensuring access to online learning for students.
In response to the disruption of education by COVID-19, Ericsson joined the UNESCO-led Global Education Coalition and launched Ericsson Educate, a digital program delivering online learning content focused on improving digital skills for students in secondary schools and universities. Ericsson partnered with the Vermont Telephone Company and Rutland City Public Schools to equip students in rural Vermont with access to free high-speed Internet and Google Chromebooks.
In support of ongoing distance learning, Qualcomm donated 900 custom-built, cellular-connected laptops and more than $140,000 to the San Diego Unified School District. The computers run on the company’s Snapdragon processors and include built-in cellular connectivity, giving students with limited access to Wi-Fi another avenue to learn remotely.
Since April 1, Smith Bagley, Inc. has delivered more than 1,300 access points to 10 schools (either MiFi or smartphones as needed), with 6,600 potential more devices in the pipeline. It also introduced an unlimited data plan at a significantly reduced cost for schools.

Read more about how the wireless industry is committed to connecting America’s students.

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