PHLConnectED: Connecting K-12 students to the internet

PHLConnectED will connect up to 35,000 K-12 student households with internet service in Philadelphia. The program will offer eligible student households up to two years of high-speed internet. Participants will not pay any out-of-pocket expenses or installation fees. PHLConnectED has three key components:

1. Provide eligible K-12 households with wired, high-speed, reliable internet from Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, or a high-speed mobile hotspot for families who are housing-insecure.
2. Ensure K-12 public school students have the devices they need (such as a laptop or tablet). The Philadelphia School District recently distributed over 128,000 devices to students without devices at home. The School District and Charter Schools will continue to work with schools and families to make sure they have the resources they need to succeed.
3. Offer outreach, digital navigation, and digital skills training to students and families with the greatest needs to ensure connectivity for those who are the hardest to reach.

The PHLConnectED program is possible thanks to collaboration among business and civic leaders who came together to support Philadelphia students.