Internet Service at Home - Forrest County School District

General Information

Most carriers are participants of the Federal Communications Commission’s Keep America Connected pledge as part of a nationwide effort. Companies pledge for the next 60 days to not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic; waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic, and open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.

Details about COVID-19 programs, offerings, and allowances, can be found on the following pages.

AT&T/Cricket

The following pages explain deals and additional data allowances depending on the plan. AT&T is also working to upgrade towers to handle the increased traffic.
- ATT Covid 19 Page
- Cricket Wirelss Health and Safety Update

C-Spire

C-Spire has whitelisted over 50 education sites for users on C-Spire smartphones or hotspots and visiting those pages will not go against their plan’s data usage. This is regularly being reviewed to see if more educational pages can be added. Whitelisted sites can be found on the webpage. For most customer plans, C-Spire has added 25 GB of additional data for plans with limits. Click here.

Sprint

Customers with metered data plans will receive unlimited data per month for 60 days (a minimum of two bill cycles) at no extra cost. Sprint will provide customers with an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot data per month for 60 days (a minimum of two bill cycles) at no extra cost. Customers with mobile hotspot-capable handsets who do not have a mobile hotspot today will now get 20GB as well per month for 60 days (a minimum of two bill cycles) at no extra cost. Click here.

1 Million Project

A 501(c)(3) working to help 1 million high school students who do not have reliable Internet access at home by giving them mobile devices and free high-speed Internet access.

Click here for more info.

Comcast

Comcast Covid 19 page
Comcast is pausing data plans for 60 days giving all customers Unlimited data for no additional charge. Comcast has affordable internet solutions for low income households:
- Internet Essentials
- Comcast is offering Xfinity Public Hotspots in communities
  - For additional details click here

T-Mobile

ALL current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers as of March 13, 2020 who have legacy plans without unlimited high-speed data will get unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming). Starting March 20, 2020, providing T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers on smartphone plans with hotspot data an additional 20GB of smartphone mobile hotspot (10GB per bill cycle for the next 60 days) for each voice line. (T-Mobile Connect excluded). Working with our Lifeline partners to provide customers extra free data up to 5GB of data per month through May 13, 2020. Increasing the data allowance for free to schools and students using our EmpowerED digital learning programs to ensure each participant has access to at least 20GB of data per month through May 13, 2020. Click here for more info.

Sparklight

Local hotspots are available at Sparklight offices. (The Mississippi Library Association has a detailed map with information on those locations and details on accessing. For details, visit http://www.misslib.org/. ) All plans are unlimited until May 12th. Sparklight does not throttle internet service. Click here.

TEC

TEC has installed a public hotspot at their office in Bay Springs, MS. That office is located at 382 Highway 18, Bay Springs, MS 39422. TEC also does not throttle internet service. Click here.

Windstream

Network can withstand additional traffic. For any new customer who is eligible for Lifeline service, we are offering service free of charge with no activation fee for two months. Click here.

ViaSat

Viasat is prioritizing work from home and school at home traffic. Working on a community internet options, expanding to schools. Click here.

Satellite Broadcasting & Communications Association (SBCA)

ViaSat and HughesNet have different policies and customers should check with them, but SBCA mentioned the Bonus Zone. This is a period of time typically 2 am-8 am, when all customers have access to of additional data that does not count towards their plan. SBCA is encouraging customers to use this additional data to download large files like education materials, movies, system updates for your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Often, these downloads can be scheduled on the device.

View following links for more info.

Satellite Broadcasting & Communications Association (SBCA)