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Getting Internet Access: Available Plans

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Main Web Page

Access: Telecom and Data Companies Extending Services

Internet For All Now: The California Emerging Technology Fund has provided access to affordable offers, as well as a number to call 1-844-841-INFO (4636) to assist parents: http://www.internetforallnow.org/get_affordable_internet_today.

The following table contains special offers extended by various providers throughout the state.

Provider COVID-19 Response Contact
AT&T

No termination regardless of ability to pay, waive late payment fees due to inability to pay, and keep public Wi-Fi hotspots open for those who need them.

  • Up to $10 per month (plus taxes)
  • 10 Mbps
  • No term commitment
  • No deposit
  • No installation fee
In-home modem included.
https://accessatt.solixcs.com/#/home
Comcast/Xfinity

New customers who sign up for Internet Essentials will receive 60 days of free internet service, increase speeds from 15/2 to 25/3, 40 hours of Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots per month and open on an unlimited basis.

  • Internet Essentials Free to New Customers
  • Xfinity Wi-Fi Free For Everyone
  • Pausing Our Data Plan
No Disconnects or Late Fees.
https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
Cox

New customers will receive their first month of service free. Offer available through May 12, 2020. Remote customer service support at no charge between now and May 12, 2020.

  • $9.95 per month (plus taxes)
  • 10 Mbps
  • No term commitment
  • No deposit
  • No installation fee
In-home modem included.
https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete.html

Mediacom Communications

 

Mediacom’s Connect2Compete was designed to help families with K-12 students who qualify for free or reduced lunch (NSLP). New customers who sign up for Connect2Compete by Aug. 20th, 2020 will receive 60 days of free internet service.

  • $9.95/mo. (plus taxes)
  • 25 Mbps
  • No Deposit
  • No Contract
  • No Installation Fees
  • No Equipment Rental Fees
  • Wi-Fi modem via no-cost lease

Your household may qualify if:

  • Mediacom offers internet service in your community or area 1
  • You have at least one student K-12 living at home
  • At least one child qualifies for free or reduced-price school lunch (NSLP)
  • You are not a current Mediacom customer and have not subscribed to our internet service in the past 90 days
  • You do not have an outstanding Mediacom bill or unreturned equipment (Families with an outstanding bill or unreturned equipment can discuss payment options)
https://mediacomc2c.com/
Spectrum/Charter

Charter Communications, Spectrum’s parent company, announced Friday that beginning March 16, it will make its services available for free for 60 days to households with K–12 and/or college students who do not already have internet through the company.

  •  Free Internet modem
  •  High-speed Internet at 30 Mbps
  •  No data caps
  •  No contracts
 Optional in-home Wi-Fi service at $5/month.
https://www.spectrum.com/browse/content/spectrum-internet-assist
Sprint

Sprint announced the following general: For the next 60 days:

  • No disconnects or late fees

Starting on Tuesday, March 17:

  • Complimentary international calling rates from the U.S. to countries defined by the CDC as Level 3 External link opens in new window or tab..

By Thursday, March 19:

  • Metered data plans receive unlimited data for 60 days
  • Additional 20GB of mobile hotspot data External link opens in new window or tab. per month for 60 days

Coming soon:

  • Mobile hotspot-capable handsets who do not have mobile hotspot today will receive 20GB per month for 60 days

For 1 Million Project Foundation participants only:

  • Data allotment per student increased to 20GB each month from now through June 30, 2020
Acceleration of receipt of more than 100,000 new devices intended for use next school year.
https://newsroom.sprint.com/covid-19-updates-sprint-responds.htm
T-Mobile

The following refers to the next 60 days:

  • Current customers will have unlimited smartphone data (excluding roaming)
  • An additional 20GB of mobile hotspot / tethering service
  • Extra free data up to 5GB of data per month
Increasing the data allowance for free to schools and students using our EmpowerED External link opens in new window or tab. digital learning programs to ensure each participant has access to at least 20GB of data per month.
https://www.t-mobile.com/news/t-mobile-update-on-covid-19-response

1 Mediacom Communications, California communities served:

  • Bodfish
  • China Lake Naval
  • Clearlake
  • Clearlake Oaks
  • Clearlake Park
  • Cobb
  • Finley
  • Glenhaven
  • Hidden Valley
  • Inyokern
  • Kelseyville
  • Kernville
  • Lake Isabella
  • Lakeport
  • Loch Lomond
  • Lower Lake
  • Lucerne
  • Menifee (Sun City)
  • Middletown
  • Nice
  • Onyx
  • Ridgecrest
  • San Pasqual
  • Upper Lake
  • Valley Center (Pauma Valley)
  • Weldon
  • Wofford Heights
Questions:   California Department of Education | 916-319-0800
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, January 25, 2022