INTERNET OPTIONS
These options will help you with different internet options from how to attain affordable internet to many different kinds of helpful tutorials.
TGH RECOMMENDED
Comcast provides low-cost internet to eligible individuals (includes families with public school students). Once you are an Internet Essentials customer, you have the option to purchase a laptop or desktop computer at a discounted price.
Click here for more information about Comcast's internet options during COVID
Message from Comcast: "We have a massive backlog of calls as our volume is unprecedented. We are trying to get this message out to people as much as possible that the simplest, fastest, and easiest way to apply for the program is from their mobile device at www.InternetEssentials.com.
PCs for People offers quality refurbished desktops, laptops, internet service, and accessories to individuals and non-profits. To qualify, individuals must be currently enrolled in an income-based government assistance program or who are below the 200% poverty level. This tutorial will introduce you to their Hotpot options for internet service.
HOTSPOT SERVICE OPTIONS
Boost Mobile offers a single data plan for hotspots which is 50GB for $50 per month. If you have an old hotspot from TGH, you may be able to use it! If you don’t own a hotspot you’ll need to buy one.
It may be easiest to go into a store, ask about options and open an account. You can also sign up for a plan by calling 1-866-402-7366.
MetroPCS only offers hotspot service if you have a cell phone plan with them. You will not be able to use your old TGH hotspot with Metro, but you may be able to get a new hotspot device for free. They have several hotspot and data service plan options that range from $10 to $50 per month.
It may be easiest to go into a store, ask about options and open an account. You can also sign up for a plan by calling 1-888-8Metro8 (863-8768).
T-Mobile offers data plans for hotspots. They have several hotspot and data service plan options. Their data plan options range from $10 to $50 per month. Often, the price that is advertised is much lower than the price you will really need to pay for the service. Make sure to always asks what the costs are before making a purchase. It may be easiest to go into a store, ask about options and open an account. You can also sign up for a plan by calling 1-800-TMOBILE.
AT&T offers hotspots and data plans. If you already have an AT&T cell phone with a data plan, you may be able to add a hotspot to your plan for only $20 per month. If you are a new customer the service plans are advertised as $40 per month and $50 per month - however, there are many other costs involved and your final monthly bill will likely be between $80 and $100. The AT&T website is hard to navigate and the TGH staff was unable to complete a purchase for a hotspot and data plan even after calling customer service. If you would like to get a hotspot from AT&T, then TGH suggests that you visit an AT&T store in person or try calling 888-927-1236 to speak to a customer service agent.
Verizon offers data plans for hotspots. If you have an old hotspot from TGH, you may be able to use it! If not, you’ll need to buy one. If you have a smartphone with data through Verizon, the unlimited data plans are $20 or $30. However, if you are not a current Verizon customer, their data plans are $75 or $85 per month. Often, the price that is advertised is much lower than the price you will really need to pay for the service. Make sure to always asks what the costs are before making a purchase. It may be easiest to go into a store or call Verizon at 800-711-3400, ask about options and open an account.
OTHER OPTIONS
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary FCC program to help households struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic. As of May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the program to receive a monthly discount for the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting GetEmergencyBroadband.org. See the PDF factsheet linked above for details on eligibility and how to apply.
A new national benefits program providing a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills and a one-time discount for an eligible device for qualifying households.
● Discount paid directly to the internet provider.
● Limited to one monthly service discount and a one-time device discount
per household..
City of Boston's page contains information and resources on connecting to the Internet and accessing technology resources, including discounted internet plans for low-income residents and information from Internet Service Providers about offers and support for current internet subscribers in response to COVID.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on society, multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have made updates to their low-cost internet service programs. EveryoneOn has updated its low-cost internet service options tool to reflect these changes. This tutorial will teach you how to make use of EveryoneOn's resources.