Free or Low-Cost Internet Access
As the COVID-19 crisis forces California Community Colleges to move classes and services online, access to reliable internet service is critical. Below is a list of several companies providing free or low-cost internet access during the current emergency.
As part of the Keep Americans Connected Pledge, AT&T, Comcast, Charter, Cox, Google Fiber, Spring, Verizon, and T-Mobile will not disconnect any customers for the next 60 days regardless of payment status.
AT&T is offering unlimited internet data and internet access for limited-income households at $10 a month through the Access from AT&T program. They are also offering free Wi-Fi in some locations.
California Connects Mobile Internet mobile hotspot service is powered by Sprint. It offers nationwide 4G LTE internet access for $20 per month with no contract.
Charter Spectrum is offering free broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 or college students who don't have a Spectrum broadband subscription. Call 1-844-488-8395 to enroll. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. Additionally, all WiFi hotspots are now free of charge.
Collegebuys offers discounted software, hardware, and related equipment. This service is supported by the Foundation for California Community Colleges.
Comcast is offering new Internet Essentials customers two free months of internet service to those who qualify for $10 per month plus tax. Comcast is also opening their Xfinity Wi-Fi network for free along with providing unlimited data to customers. Hotspots across the country will be available to everyone for free, including non-subscribers.
Cox is temporarily waiving the first month of Connect2Compete service for households with K-12 children.
Lifeline offers discount wireless phone service and/or broadband service for low-income consumers.
T-Mobile - all current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers who have plans with data will have unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming). Students using the EmpowerED digital learning program will receive access to at least 20GB of data per month for the next 60 days.
Verizon is waiving late fees and suspending service termination for customers negatively impacted by the global crisis.
