Closing the Digital Divide
Learn More About the Awardees
According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, nearly 17 million public K-12 students have fallen into the “homework gap” due to COVID-19 school closures. In addition, Bellwether Education Partners estimates that approximately 3 million at-risk students may not have experienced any formal education—virtual or in-person—since March 2020.
These schools and nonprofits are receiving devices and services to help finally close that homework gap for some of our nation’s most at-risk kids. Use the map below to find links to each of the groups benefitting from this program. Click here for the full list of awardees.
Additional Resources for Students and Parents
Broadband Emergency Benefit
The Emergency Broadband Benefit, overseen by the FCC , provides funds for broadband service and devices for eligible households.
Find and Access FREE Internet Hotspots
A hotspot is a physical location where people can access the internet, typically using Wi-Fi. Some internet service providers offer “hotspots” across the country. The following list of links can help you find these.
- Check your local library and ask if they are loaning out hotspots.
- Check state offices. For example, InnovateOhio has identified free hotspots throughout the state: https://innovateohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/innovate/news/news-and-events/04042020
- Check local universities and community colleges. Many are offering free Wi-Fi to the public.
Resources for School Districts
Where to find online Storytime resources
Living room concerts, workout classes, watching baby goats! Here’s an awesome list of stuff you can do with your kids (or alone) while spending time at home.
Locate Free Provider Hotspots
01
- Cox Communications
- Get access to free Spectrum Wi-Fi hotspots: https://www.spectrum.com/wifi-hotspots
- Xfinity Wi-Fi (covers Comcast) — the company is giving free access to everyone, including nonsubscribers, for 60 days. You can find hotspots anywhere by heading to this website.
02
- AT&T provides hotspots nationwide. To access from your AT&T smartphone or wearable device:
- Your device should automatically connect to AT&T’s network when you’re at a Wi-Fi hotspot location
- From a tablet or laptop
- Note: Make sure your Wi-Fi is enabled
- Select att-wifi or att wifi from your list of available wireless networks.
Resources for Finding Low-Cost Internet (or Phone) Service and Devices
Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet. Eligible customers will get up to $9.25 toward their bill. Head to this website to see if you qualify and to find companies near you that participate.
EveryoneOn provides a short form to help you establish eligibility for low-cost internet and devices (laptops and desktops) and locate companies based on your ZIP code. This can be found here.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance recently put together a list of free and low-cost internet plans (all less than $20 a month total cost). You can find that list here.
- Mobile internet offers
- Home internet offers
- Access from AT&T is offering two months of free service as well as $5 a month and $10 a month plans (plus tax), based on speed, for new customers who order before April 30. It also expands eligibility based on income (household income based on 135 percent or less than the federal poverty guidelines) and participation in the National School Lunch Program/Head Start and is waiving all home internet data overage fees. This pdf provides additional details, including how to enroll, or simply call 1-855-220-5211 (English) or 1-855-220-5225 (Spanish). Additionally, visit att.com/access to enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
AT&T K-12 Homework Gap Program
Equipment, service, and content filtering is being provided to awardees at no cost for this program. You will never receive a bill for the hotspots or service you received from this grant award.
You will receive a report that contains the device IMEI (unique identifier), SIM card number, and shipping tracking numbers. We recommend recording who each of the devices are assigned to as you distribute them and keep this for your records in case any are lost or stolen.
Students/Parents will need to be shown how to find their Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and the password for that network. We recommend having them connect to the device when they pick it up to ensure there are no connectivity issues with their laptops/tablets/etc. that may require troubleshooting. You can find the Wi-Fi network name and password by doing the following: 1. Press and hold the Power Button for 3 seconds until the welcome logo appears on the display. After a few seconds, the Wi-Fi signal icon will appear on the display. 2. Look for the network (SSID) “Moxee HotspotXX_2.4G”or “Moxee HotspotXX_5G”, where XX are the last two digits of the device IMEI. 3. Click “Connect” and enter the default password found on your device. Your Wi-Fi SSID and password information can be found on your device’s “Wi-Fi Info” screen or on the SSID label located underneath the battery cover.
Students/Parents will need to be shown how to find their Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and the password for that network. We recommend having them connect to the device when they pick it up to ensure there are no connectivity issues with their laptops/tablets/etc. that may require troubleshooting. You can find the Wi-Fi network name and password by doing the following: 1. Press and hold the Power Button for 3 seconds until the welcome logo appears on the display. After a few seconds, the Wi-Fi signal icon will appear on the display. 2. Look for the network (SSID) “Moxee HotspotXX_2.4G”or “Moxee HotspotXX_5G”, where XX are the last two digits of the device IMEI. 3. Click “Connect” and enter the default password found on your device. Your Wi-Fi SSID and password information can be found on your device’s “Wi-Fi Info” screen or on the SSID label located underneath the battery cover.
You will receive Moxee hotspots, that have an unlimited data plan and built-in Enterprise Traffic Protector (ETP) content filtering. See below for more information on the data plan:
DATA RESTRICTION: After 50 GB of data usage on a line in a bill cycle, for the remainder of the cycle, AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds on that line during times of network congestion. VIDEO STREAMING: Plan is not eligible for Stream Saver. For content we can identify as video, wireless streaming speed will be slowed to Standard Definition quality (max1.5 Mbps, about 480p). Video speed is capped at Standard Definition regardless of network device is on (for example, 4G LTE). Ability to stream, video resolution, and other data usage (including speed) are not guaranteed, may vary, and may be affected by a variety of other factors.
ETP includes: • Automatic enforcement of Strict Mode for access to YouTube Content • Automatic Safe-Search enforcement for all web searches via Google and Bing • Access to common education tools like Zoom, Blackboard, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams • Enforcement via DNS-Based policies – this is seamless and operates separately from other on-prem tools and filters & protects all devices accessing the Internet via protected hotspot device
You will see a message in the internet browser when a site is blocked, and it will provide a specific reason. Please take a screenshot of the message you are receiving and send to Connected Nation at lconrad@connectednation.org. The team will review and add the site to the whitelist if necessary. NOTE: Adware and Malware can cause blocking errors to appear if it is installed on your laptop/tablet/etc. Please review the URL on the blocking message to confirm if it matches the website you are trying to access before sending in your whitelist request.
Please send the IMEI and SIM information for the device that has been lost, stolen, or physically damaged to Connected Nation (lconrad@connectednation.org), so that it can be disconnected.
Please send the IMEI and SIM information for the device that has been lost, stolen, or physically damaged to Connected Nation (lconrad@connectednation.org), so that it can be disconnected.
Please alert Connected Nation (lconrad@connectednation.org) and provide the device IMEI, SIM, and a summary of this issue you are having. Hotspots have a 12-month warranty from the manufacturer and can be replaced if they are malfunctioning within that warranty period.
AT&T has extended the service agreement from the 12-month term that was originally communicated to 14 months, starting from the date when your hotspots are ordered. For example, if your hotspots are ordered on April 20 but are not received until May 10, the 14-month period would extend from the date that CN orders the devices for you through AT&T (in this case, 14 months from April 20).
You can opt to return the devices for recycling through AT&T, keep them and do nothing, or keep them and purchase a paid service plan directly from AT&T. Additional information about these options will be provided as we near the end of the service agreement.
Connected Nation, Inc. (CN) has been selected as an independent third-party non-profit organization to assist AT&T in fulfilling its K-12 homework gap program commitment and will make the sole and final determination as to which schools or non-profit organizations, if any, receive an award under the program. The submission of an application is part of a competitive process that in no way guarantees the award of any contribution to the applicant. CN is not an agent of AT&T, and this program is entirely independent of any past, current, or future E-rate procurement process. An award agreement must be fully executed before any award under this program is final.