Schools have gone on lockdown throughout the world due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. For many students living in rural or remote locations, studies have come to a halt. This has generated anxiety among educationists as well as international organizations across the Globe. Different nations are trying to come with a course of action that can help deal with this situation without putting anyone in harm’s way.
The Federal government has initiated different plans during this time to help more students and families benefit from Internet facilities so that the education loss is covered. Every child has a right to get educated and to achieve that, students need Internet connections that are reliable and fast to help with their everyday needs. Moreover, if these connections are budget-friendly then families with low incomes can also benefit immensely.
To help students find a connection that can fulfil most of their daily education requirements, the following ideas may be beneficial.
- Students should look for any Government assistance programs that may be open for them. These will help enable the students to qualify for discounted Internet services from the best ISPs in the market.
- The Connect2Compete program helps provide affordable internet to K–12 students.
- The National School Lunch Program and New York City public schools are also on the panel and if you qualify then you can get the Altice Advantage Internet.
Additionally, ISPs are offering their discounts to students as well. They have launched such plans that can cater to most students nationwide.
Spectrum internet
There are quite a few standalone and bundle plans that Spectrum is offering to all its customers. However, there is a specially tailored student internet program, which covers residential areas and some on-school campuses. There are no data caps and no contracts with super-fast speeds. Students can enjoy steady services, especially for live online classes and for streaming long lectures every day.
There are thousands of free Wi-Fi hotspots spread throughout the USA. Students can get their Mobile plan and access their steady, reliable bandwidth from anywhere, especially during COVID-19, following the social distancing regime.
Xfinity internet
Available in 39 states across the USA, Xfinity is one of the biggest ISPs with some outstanding student internet offers. They provide high-speed internet to some selected eligible institutions at discounted rates. Their tailored plans are offered with some extra rewards like a prepaid visa card, special discounts if you get their TV plan, and unlimited music for 6 months from Amazon.
They are quite forthright with their plans and offer many packages with some amazing promotions. The downside for some may be their one-year contract commitment. All these offers are for students studying remotely.
Frontier internet
Frontier differs from Xfinity with its focus on something for everyone. While Xfinity only offers deals for college undergrads, Frontier tries to provide an internet solution for every student. So, whether you’re a college grad or a K-12 student, they have a plan to suit your need. They offer high-speed uploads for submitting hefty assignments or papers. They offer Wi-Fi if you need to be on the go.
If you’re living on the campus then your roommates can also chip in. This way, you can all get reliable internet without compromises on bandwidth. The downside is that their discounts are somewhat short-lived, i.e., for the first 12 months. Additionally, they aren’t as widely available as Spectrum or Xfinity.
AT&T internet
Finally yet importantly on our list for best internet providers for online education is AT&T with its promise of supporting and spreading education to the underserved areas as well. They have come up with free internet and Wi-Fi hotspots for struggling students. They have joined in partnership with a non-profit organization called Connected Nation.
This is a new venture of AT&T and its details will keep appearing but you can call their customer services department to know if you are eligible for this plan. They are offering other government assistance-based discounts to regular students as well and some special initiatives have started due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Other ISPs that aren’t mentioned in our list also offer almost the same internet services and sometimes, you can find a good deal by trying to talk to a customer representative. They might not boast about their plans but since everyone is coming together during these fateful times, you can expect at least some support on all fronts.
Free internet
There are some companies though who are offering free of cost internets like NetZero and FreedomPop. However, the download or upload speeds are not good for any long-term connectivity. Moreover, you can find free internet at local restaurants, shops, and malls but these are not the most reliable options, especially during the ongoing lockdown situation.
Bundles
Families can get bundle deals with their discounted student internet packages. You can TV services or Voice services at additional costs. There will no compromise on the Internet bandwidth if anyone selects a bundle deal instead of the standalone plan.
Run an inventory to make sure of what you aim to get out of your internet connection. You will find this helpful in making the right decision at the right time.
