Last year, America’s wireless “un-carrier” T-Mobile, launched an initiative called Project 10Million. The objective was to give students access to more data to assist in their studies throughout the school year. Fast forward to the summer of 2020 and we are seeing this plan in action with the project even receiving some expansion.
T-Mobile has had quite the busy year with the crown jewel being its successful merger with Sprint. One of the projects T-Mobile committed to while working on gaining approval for the merger is Project 10Million; in addition to its commitments to create affordable prepaid plans and an ongoing project to give free 5G connectivity for first responders. T-Mobile is committed to spend the next five years spending $10 billion to help provide 10 million underserved homes with quality Internet access. A couple of highlights from Project 10Million include 100 GB of data every year for five years, at-cost laptops and tablets, and even free mobile hotspots for better connectivity.
The expansion will take the project further by providing additional options for students to gain access to more data. By working with school districts across the country, the company is hoping to help bridge the homework gap as a result and as if access to quality Internet wasn’t already a struggle before, the COVID-19 pandemic has created more obstacles for education as students and school districts deal with the shift to online learning. “The goal is to address the increased need for bandwidth at schools as they move into a fully virtual environment,” said Mike Katz, the leader of T-Mobile’s Education Team.
So far, these efforts have been a rounding success. With 1.6 million students in 3,100 school districts receiving free or subsidized Internet access, the project is helping students continue their education during unparalleled times. Before the pandemic, an estimated 9 million children lacked reliable access to the Internet that is needed to complete assignments and assist in their homework. Schools are getting their wish as T-Mobile expands the plans available to them by providing more data plans including an unlimited LTE data plan for $15 a month. These programs come at no cost to the students while schools apply for students who are eligible by representing those who qualify for the National School Lunch Program.
Students will have access to Franklin Wireless T9 hotspots and schools can choose from a variety of devices for students at home without one including a Coolpad Tasker tablet, Samsung Chromebook 4, Lenovo 100e Chromebook, or a Lenovo 100e Windows PC. This mission could not have come at a better time for students and T-Mobile doesn’t seem to be the only company looking to keep students connected. Verizon is expanding its Distance Learning Program in response to the pandemic which provides affordable 4G LTE access, device management, and online security for students across 38 states and the D.C. market.
Source: Fierce Wireless