Would you like free internet access to support your student’s education? Having access to classroom tools through a reliable internet connection is fundamental to success in today’s classroom. In partnership with Guilford County Schools (GCS), the Technology and Data Institute (TDI) is launching a pilot program through June 2026 to bring free broadband to students who reside in selected service areas of Fairview Elementary, Penn-Griffin School for the Arts, and High Point Central. Students will connect using a wireless access service called “eduroam”, which is operated by the non-profit research and education organization Internet2. The eduroam service provides secure, encrypted internet access for student research and educational purposes. This free service will enable students to access the digital tools available in the classroom while at home, on school buses, and within selected community centers.
Pilot Overview:
The pilot will provide students with flexible, no-cost access to modern learning tools outside of the classroom through reliable, high-speed broadband internet service. As a pilot participant, your student’s GCS Chromebook or iPad will have access to this service.
Benefits:
- eduroam connects your student’s content filtered GCS device to access the internet at their fingertips!
- Access to eduroam will be available at school, on selected buses, and at a number of municipal sites throughout Guilford County
- In addition, eduroam provides free and seamless internet access for GCS devices at thousands of colleges and universities all over the world. These locations can be found at https://eduroam.us.
Timeline:
Beginning October 30, 2023, families in the participating area may sign up for the free internet service. Lumos, the internet service provider for this pilot, will work with you to schedule service installation in your home, free of charge, and without commitment. Service will be available in the participating areas through June 2026.
Need more details?
Sign-up TODAY!
You must sign up for the free service at https://lumosfiber.com/TDIGuilford or call Lumos at 844-403-8182.
The pilot program is being funded through two grants to TDI totaling approximately $2.5 million including $1 million from GCS and approximately $1.5 million awarded as an earmark under the federal Department of Education’s Elementary & Secondary Education community program. The grants are being managed by UNCG, as fiscal agents for GCS and the Department of Education.
If successful, it is expected that the pilot will be expanded to cover an additional 30,000 students who lack adequate and affordable broadband access in their homes. A key aspect of the pilot is to evaluate the impact of providing internet connectivity at home on student performance.
About The Technology and Digital Institute (TDI)
TDI is committed to transforming the Piedmont Triad into a smart and connected region where communities and innovation will flourish through shared technology and data. TDI is a regional public service institute leading a collaborative effort to ensure that everyone — scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, communities, K- 12 students in underserved areas — has the digital infrastructure needed to thrive. TDI is a consortium of public service organizations including Guilford County Schools, the City of Greensboro, the City of High Point, Guilford County, North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University, UNC Greensboro, the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, and Business High Point. Learn more at https://nctdi.org.
About eduroam
eduroam (education roaming) is the secure, world-wide roaming wireless service developed for and by the international research and education community. eduroam allows students, researchers and staff to roam and find connectivity at more than 2,500 locations in the US, and more than 33,000 worldwide. Learn more at www.eduroam.us
About Lumos
Lumos provides 100% Fiber Optic Internet, whole-Home Wi-Fi, voice and streaming services, to more than 250,000 homes and businesses across North Carolina, Virginia and, recently announced, South Carolina footprint. We believe that the possibilities of tomorrow cannot be built on the infrastructure of yesterday. That’s why we’re building a 100% Fiber Optic network from the ground up for families, small businesses and communities, backed by local, expert customer service. An Internet built for that most hopeful of all things – the future. Because whatever the future holds, we make it faster. Learn more at www.LumosFiber.com.
You must sign up for the free service at https://lumosfiber.com/TDIGuilford
or call Lumos at 884-403-8182.