DALLAS, March 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With the
COVID-19 virus having unprecedented impacts on our society and
keeping millions of students and teachers home for the foreseeable
future, AT&T* is stepping up to enable virtual classrooms
across America. AT&T is offering schools a way to save on
unlimited wireless broadband connectivity for students.
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.1
And schools know they need to protect their students while
online – which is why AT&T is also making
AccessMyLANTM for the qualified lines available at
no cost for 60 days.1 This service allows school
administrators to manage the internet sites their students can
access to help protect them from unsafe content and also to block
malicious sites, malware and hacking attempts.
"We know that schools and universities across America are
grappling with the impact of COVID-19, and that moving the
classroom into the home requires access to the internet for all
students," said Mo Katibeh,
EVP-chief marketing officer, AT&T Business. "This is an
important step to help schools address the challenge.
AT&T is committed to finding innovative ways to support
education institutions during this public health crisis."
To keep administrators, teachers, parents, and students
connected, we're also offering AT&T Office@Hand
Premium powered by RingCentral at no cost for eligible new
customers in K-12 education, as well as healthcare and
non-profit social services for up to 60 days with agreement. This
enables schools to quickly activate video meetings and always-on
chat groups where teachers and students can share files and
collaborate on assignments. Schools can setup hotline, phone, fax
and SMS capabilities through Office@Hand mobile and computer
apps.
Supporting eLearning Tools
Beyond helping schools meet the connectivity challenge, AT&T
is directly supporting the development and deployment of eLearning
resources. This includes launching a $10
million Distance Learning and Family Connections
Fund to give parents, students and teachers tools they need
for at-home learning. The fund launched with a $1M contribution to Khan Academy – to help
them improve and expand online learning resources to meet the
growing demand from parents, teachers and students.
Additionally, to help keep families connected during this
uncertain time, AT&T is funding 60 days of free access and
unlimited usage of Caribu, a video-calling application
that allows family members to read, draw, and play games with one
another while in distant locations.
Keeping Communities Connected
To further support Internet access to communities across the
country, we've expanded our low-cost option for home Internet
service, the Access from AT&T program. In addition to
those previously qualifying as limited income households for
$10 per month service, now households
participating in the National School Lunch Program and Head Start
are eligible. We're also offering new Access from AT&T
customers two months of free service.
For more information about AT&T's response to coronavirus,
please visit our COVID-19 Response page.
*About AT&T Communications
We help family, friends and neighbors connect in meaningful ways
every day. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video
streaming, we innovate to improve lives. We have the nation's
fastest wireless network.** And according to America's biggest
test, we have the nation's best wireless network.*** We're
building FirstNet just for first responders and creating
next-generation mobile 5G. With a range of TV and video products,
we deliver entertainment people love to talk about. Our smart,
highly secure solutions serve nearly 3 million global businesses –
nearly all of the Fortune 1000. And worldwide, our spirit of
service drives employees to give back to their communities.
AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). Learn
more at att.com/CommunicationsNews.
AT&T products and services are provided or offered by
subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T
brand and not by AT&T Inc. Additional information about
AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com.
Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook
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© 2020 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.
AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service
marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated
companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of
their respective owners.
**Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data
average download speeds for Q4 2019. Ookla trademarks used under
license and reprinted with permission.
***GWS OneScore, September
2019.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education,
strengthening communities and improving lives. We have a long
history of investing in projects that create learning
opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement, and
address community needs. Our AT&T Aspire initiative uses
innovation in education to drive student success in school and
beyond. With a financial commitment of $550
million since 2008, AT&T is leveraging technology,
relationships and social innovation to help all students make their
biggest dreams a reality.
1 After 22GB, AT&T may temporarily slow data
speeds if the network is busy. Offer limited to select data plans
and may be used for educational purposes only. Receive bill credits
for data plan (min. $50/mo.; max
credit $100) and AccessMyLAN svc
(min. $9.99/mo.; max credit
$19.98) for 60 days. Restrictions
apply. More details are available here.
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SOURCE AT&T Communications