CALIFORNIA, USA — Coronavirus trends threw a curve ball for in-person classroom learning, but internet providers around Northern California might have the right hook up to get you through another round of distance learning.
Xfinity, Frontier, Charter Spectrum, Verizon, and AT&T pitched their best deals as students head back to school virtually for the fall. Some deals range from free for 60 days to less than $20 dollars a month.
From Sacramento to Stockton and Modesto, here's where to find the best deals for your dollar.
Access from AT&T
As kids head back to school, AT&T is advertising its Access from AT&T program, which is available for certain, limited-income households at $10 a month. The eligibility for the program has been expanded to include households participating in the National School Lunch Program and Head Start.
Installation and WiFi services are included. There's also no annual contract and no deposit.
The company said the program is good for education, homework, job searches, and keeping in touch with family and friends. The data allowance is 150 GB or 1TB depending on the available in your area with a $10 charge for each additional 50GB.
For more information on the program and speeds available, click HERE.
Xfinity Internet Essentials
Comcast Xfinity is advertising its Internet Essentials program. It's available to qualifying families with school-aged children and is available for other low-income households, which includes any that have people with disabilities and seniors.
New customers can get the package free for 60 days. The price after the free period is $9.95 a month plus taxes. The data cap for Internet Essentials customers is the same as Xfinity internet customers, 1.2 TB per month.
More information is available HERE.
Families with children in the Sacramento City Unified School District [SCUSD] might be eligible for six months of free WiFi with the Internet Essentials program from Comcast. Sign ups have to be done by Dec. 31. 2020. More information on the SCUSD offer is available HERE.
Spectrum Internet Assist
Spectrum said its best option would be Spectrum Internet Assist. It's an offer for certain low-income households that provides internet at $17.99 a month.
The program offers internet up to 30 Mbps with no data caps, no contracts, a free internet modem, and optional $5 per month in-home WiFi service.
Eligibility requirements include one or more members in the household receiving help from the National School Lunch Program [NSLP], Community Eligibility Provision of the NSLP, or Supplemental Security Income, which is for applicants 65 and older.
More information is available HERE.
Verizon's Just Kids Plan
Verizon is advertising its Mix and Match plans and Just Kids plan for back to school offers.
The Just Kids plan is a smartphone plan with 4G LTE data with 5GB per month, Verizon Smart Family Premium for parental control, unlimited talk and text for up to 20 contacts, a safety mode to avoid overages, and 480p streaming.
To get the deal, you need to have at least one mix and match unlimited plan to be the "parent" line for the Just Kids line.
Prices will vary, but there is a $10 per month, per line discount available on the Just Kids plan if you use auto pay and paper-free billing.
More information along with cost ranges are available HERE.
Frontier Fundamental Internet
Frontier is advertising a free Chromebook, while supplies last, for both of its low-cost internet programs. The programs are available to income-qualified California households.
Frontier Fundamental Internet is available for $19.99 a month, which includes internet service and a router. The program is available to households that have someone participating in Cal Fresh, Supplemental Security Income, Medi-Cal, or the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Frontier Affordable Broadband is less than $21 per month and includes a free WiFi modem/router, free installation, and no contract. This particular package also has to be bundled with California LifeLine landline service.
You'll need to speak with a representative to learn what speeds are available to your home. Both packages tout being able to connect people with work, school, and family and friends.
For more information on Frontier Fundamental Internet, click HERE. For more information on Frontier Affordable Broadband, click HERE.
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