Free and low-cost hotspots will be available to Brainerd Public Schools families as a part of T-Mobile’s Project 10Million.
Brainerd is one of two school districts in Minnesota to apply for and be accepted into the program, which makes internet hotspots available for free or at a low cost to students and families across the country.
Hotspots are not intended to replace current broadband internet but are for students and families who either do not have access to adequate broadband in their current location and/or are not able to afford the broadband access that is available to them. These hotspots will not provide the quality of internet that a strong broadband connection would.
Two program options are available:
Unlimited data for $15 a month. A one-time payment of $105 is due at device pickup.
A free option of 100 gigabytes for families who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. Or email Director of Technology Sarah Porisch at sarah.porisch@isd181.org for alternative options.
One hundred gigabytes is enough data for 140 hours of video streaming, 320 hours of online virtual learning, 5,000 hours of internet research or 200 hours of online college test prep.
Both options below include filtering for children, a dedicated T-Mobile customer support line and free equipment. The term on both options is November/December 2020 through June 2021. The program will then be reevaluated at that time and may be open for re-enrollment.
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The school district will not provide a refund for any period of time a device is not working. It is the responsibility of the family to work with T-Mobile to identify a solution and/or contact the school helpdesk for a replacement. Damaged devices may be assessed a $100 replacement fee, and non-returned devices may be assessed a $100 fee.
