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Reduced Cost Internet options for Families during the Covid-19 Corona Virus time Period

Dear Roller Families,

The importance of internet access is especially apparent during this difficult time. Please see the information below for many reduced-cost internet options.

Aircards/Jetpacks: As of right now no wireless providers are currently offering free devices/service but many are offering discounts. The FCC and Congress are currently considering measures that may provide funding for such connectivity and how those funds would be administered. Stay tuned.

T-Mobile has announced that current T-Mobile wireless customers who have cell-phone plans with data will be granted unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days. They'll also receive an additional 20GB of mobile hot spot/tethering service for those two months. In addition, T-Mobile is increasing the data allowance for free to their schools and students using their EmpowerED digital learning programs to ensure each participant has access to at least 20GB of data per month for the next 60 days.

Free Community Wi-Fi Hot-Spots: The FCC has asked the nation’s telecommunications companies to take the https://www.fcc.gov/keep-americans-connected, which includes a commitment that vendors make their community Wi-Fi Hotspots open and free to all. These are the ones that we know about so far.

Comcast/Xfinity - https://hotspots.wifi.xfinity.com/
PenTeleData/Service Electric - http://www.ptdunleashed.com/
Zito Media - https://www.zitomedia.net/wifi/
Frontier - http://www.frontierwifi.com/coverageareafrontier.aspx
Charter Spectrum - https://www.spectrum.com/wifi-hotspots
Lackawanna County Free Wi-Fi - https://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/wireless
Atlantic Broadband - https://atlanticbb.com/my-services/my-account/wifi-hotspots

National Free Wi-Fi Map - https://www.wifimap.io/. Many of these locations are restaurants that are now closed, but their parking lots may continue to have active service.

Library Parking Lot Wi-Fi: The American Library Association has asked every library in the country to keep their Wi-Fi open during the shutdown so patrons can access it from their parking lots.

Low-Cost Home Internet: Several companies have low-cost, home-based Internet for low-income households.

Comcast/Xfinity – Comcast will offer new residential, low-income customers its $9.95-per-month Internet Essentials program free for 60 days. The company is also boosting the internet service speeds in this program from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps, which qualifies the service as high-speed broadband under FCC guidelines. Comcast will also suspend data caps for 60 days. https://internetessentials.com/
Zito Media - Zito Media will provide its 20 Mbps Internet Service free of charge for two months to low income residents.
AT&T – AT&T’s Access program provides $10/month home-based Internet to limited income households. Also offering two months of free service to new Access customers who order by April 30, 2020 ($10/mo thereafter) and waiving all home internet data overage fees. https://digitalyou.att.com/low-cost-internet/
Charter Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable) - 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 at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
CenturyLink: CenturyLink is suspending data usage limits for consumer customers during this time period due to COVID-19.

Federal Lifeline Program: Lifeline is one of the four federal Universal Service programs (E-rate is also one) that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet for low-income households. Eligible customers can receive up to $9.25 toward their bill. https://www.lifelinesupport.org/.

Internet Resources during COVID-19

https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/internet-guide-during-coronavirus-outbreak

You can get no-cost, in-home internet for up to two months during the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak if you qualify for certain low-income internet programs or have a student living in your household. Here’s a list of the internet providers offering limited, no-cost internet services during the outbreak.

Altice Optimum

Internet up to 30 Mbps

New customers with K–12 or college students in the household

No cost for first 60 days

1-866-200-9522

Altice Suddenlink

Internet up to 30 Mbps

New customers with K–12 or college students in the household

No cost for first 60 days

1-888-633-0030

Charter Spectrum

Internet up to 100 Mbps and no installation fees