Stories

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is expanding. At a White House ceremony on May 9th, President Biden announced a landmark commitment from 20 internet service providers—including Comcast, Charter, Cox and Mediacom—to provide ACP-eligible households with robust high-speed internet service for free, after redeeming their monthly subsidy.

Over the course of a week in March 2020, schools across the country had to unexpectedly close their doors amidst the start of the COVID pandemic. Teachers, students, parents, and schools were caught off guard during this transition to distance learning – especially given that some households did not have access to high-speed internet. Fortunately, broadband providers, businesses, schools, community organizations and governments quickly came together – through a variety of programs and initiatives – to get families connected to the internet so they can access distance learning. 

While the COVID pandemic disrupted every facet of our lives, few areas were as affected as education. After the onset of the pandemic, over a hundred thousand schools across the United States were forced to close their doors long term, leaving some 55 million teachers and students scrambling to keep vital lines of communication open. This unprecedented situation threatened to wreak havoc on our education system and cause harm to students who didn’t have an internet connection at home.

School is back in session! And thanks to widely accessible … Continued

After a single mother in D.C. found out that she qualified to receive discounted internet through her local broadband provider, life as she knew it changed for the better.

The public-health crisis of the past year has made it clear: broadband internet is an essential service and while millions of Americans have relied on their broadband connections for work, school and to stay connected with loved ones, some Americans still do not have access to high-speed connections. Broadband providers leaped into the breach, launching a series of programs in partnership with governmental agencies and community organizations to get families connected and close those gaps. And now, those same providers are working with the Federal Communications Commission in a promising new initiative: the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.

As Teacher Appreciation Weeks wraps up, we’re celebrating the partnerships with teachers and schools across the country that helped broadband providers connect students in need with low- and no-cost broadband at home. 

In an effort to maintain bonds and community cohesiveness in a time of separation, schools and organizations have discovered additional and innovative uses for the internet. Let’s take a look at two ways that parents and instructors kept the students at Churchill Road Elementary School in McLean, VA connected during a difficult year.