Showing posts with label broadband. Show all posts
Showing posts with label broadband. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Connecting Appalachia Speedtest and Rural Broadband Survey

Help Bring Better Broadband to our School District

State and federal agencies are getting ready to spend billions on rural broadband. This could be a game changer for families in our district who have slow or no internet access right now. We need to make sure those agencies understand just how widespread the need is.
To increase the chances of an upgrade, we need everyone to complete the steps below:
  1. Run a speed test: The State of Ohio is using Speedtest by Ookla® to identify locations that need better broadband. Run a free speed test on your home wi-fi or from wherever your children normally access the internet.
  2. Complete a rural broadband survey: Decision makers need to understand just how important broadband is to students and their families. Complete this 5 minute survey to share your experience with broadband in your neighborhood.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford broadband internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides:
  • Up to $50/month discount for broadband service;
  • Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and
  • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Who is Eligible?

A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
  • Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
  • Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year;
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020; or
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
Check out www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit for a Consumer FAQ and other program resources.

Three Ways to Apply

  1. Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
  2. Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
  3. Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with proof of eligibility to
Emergency Broadband Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742

Call 833-511-0311 or find more information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit at www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit