Internet Access
Internet Access - The Basics: By Ryan
With the onset of Covid-19 at the beginning of 2020, internet inequality has become more apparent than ever. Suddenly, students were being asked to complete remote learning via zoom and other applications and a lot of workers were told to work from home. However, many communities, especially minority communities found this very difficult as they did not have adequate internet access and devices to accomplish these tasks.
Additionally, this stress became compounded as public libraries were forced to shut their doors due to pandemic concerns. Public libraries are the main source of free public Wi-Fi nationwide, with Denver being no exception. The only requirement to access these hotspots is a free library card. In addition to providing free public Wi-Fi, Denver public libraries offer free, temporary checkouts of Chromebooks, wireless hotspots, or both so that users may complete their work at home. Aside from public libraries many companies offer free wi-fi to the guests that enter their store. The most major of these companies include McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Taco Bell, among others.
Getting an Affordable, Secure, and Fast Internet Connection: By Jacob
Unfortunately, these days internet access comes at a premium and may not be economically, geographically, or intrinsically feasible for many people. Fortunately, there are methods of getting free internet and faster internet without breaking the bank.
More recently, part of the third stimulus bill that congress passed is designed to get Americans online – known as the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. Essentially, this program provides a temporary discount to qualifying low-income households, who if eligible can receive up to $50/month off your broadband service and associated equipment rental, $75/month if your household is on qualifying tribal lands, and a one time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop (with co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50). This applies to EVERY internet service provider. This program ends when the fund runs out of money or 6 months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner. To join this program, visit https://getemergencybroadband.org/ or click the link below.
Sourcing A Faster Internet Connection: By Jacob
What if you already have internet, but it is slow and unreliable? There are programs developing that will provide insanely fast internet at a fair price.
Take for example, Centurylink fiber, which enables you to receive up to 940 mbps. If you visit the website, you can enter your address to see if they have Fiber or Fiber Gigabit service in your area. As of writing this article, CenturyLink is offering a 100 mbps internet plan for 50$ per month.
Google Fiber is a similar concept, and you can enter your address to see if it’s available near you.
Ting Mobile also offers Fiber internet services at a range of speeds and prices