Low-Cost Internet and Devices

Staying Connected During the Coronavirus Situation

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households. If your household is eligible, you can receive:

• Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
• Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
  Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household.

Learn More about the EBB Program

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Guidance to District on Providing Internet to Students

The Texas Cable Association released information on free broadband and internet services here, describing steps to enable and expand access to broadband.

All four Texas Cable Association members have pledged to not cut off broadband or telephone service to any customers, even those unable to pay their bills; waive late fees incurred because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic, and open their Wi-Fi hotspots to all.

View TEA Document

BiblioTech is Offering Internet Hotspots and Tablet Loan Program

Devices include 150 new Internet hotspots available for checkout.

BiblioTech branches are providing curbside service for Bexar County residents, including Alamo College’s students and employees, to pick up/drop off tablets and Internet hotspots for use at home.

Though the checkout process will be different than what regular visitors are used to, patrons can expect to borrow tablets and hotspots for three weeks and will need to bring an ID to check out devices.

To make a reservation, patrons should call the BiblioTech branch where they would like to check out a device between 9 - 11 a.m. – with curbside service only available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at all branches.

Call:

• BiblioTech East, 210-631-0230;
• BiblioTech South, 210-631-0180;
• or BiblioTech West, 210-631-0190.

Spectrum/Charter

Starting Monday, March 16, Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps.

To enroll in the program, call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.

Learn More About Spectrum/Charter

Internet Essentials by Comcast

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with the coronavirus.

Comcast has also increased the speed of the program to 25 Mbps downloads, and 3 Mbps uploads for all new and existing customers. 

You can apply through their website: 

https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19

Learn More about Internet Essentials from Comcast

AT&T

Through May 22nd, qualified schools activating new lines on qualified data-only plans for school-issued tablets, 4G LTE-enabled laptops and hotspot devices will get the wireless data service at no cost for 60 days.

Learn More about AT&T's Offer

Lifeline

Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone and internet. Eligible customers will get up to $9.25 toward their bill. You can only use Lifeline for either phone or internet, but not both.

Learn More about Lifeline