Eligible households will get a free hotspot for five years, and 100 GB data per year.
T-Mobiles CEO actuallyannounced this scheme last November, long before COVID-19 shutdowns.
For kids and workers, internet access is almost as essential as electricity.
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And many lower-income households still only have mobiles.
Digital Divide
Its 2020, and in the US, broadband internet isnt distributed anywhere near equally.
18 percent of all US students dont have home broadband.
T-Mobile
This is bad at the best of times.
Even if kids have a school-supplied computer, they still cant access basic requirements like online class materials.
And while there are many ways toget online for free or cheap, they arent ideal.
The Solution?
T-Mobiles Project 10Million will be administered by schools.
School districts can distribute the 5G hotspots to those that need them.
And while 100 GB per year doesnt sound like much, its likely enough to get schoolwork done.
The five-year duration is also essential.
Kids are getting around these kinds of issues by using their phones.
He then made voice calls free, and set data plans cheaper than all other providers.
This meant that virtually everyone could afford the internet, and it crushed the digital divide.
Jio is now thelargest mobile operator in India.
He disrupted the existing market.
In the US, it would take a new entrant like Jio to radically change things.
The problem isnt availability, but a lack of competition and government regulation.
