Cellular company T-Mobile is making a significant donation to Arkansas households and students as part of its Project 10Million initiative.
Aimed at increasing rural internet access, Project 10Million is a $10.7 billion effort to boost internet connectivity for households and students across the United States. Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced on Thursday, Oct. 1 that T-Mobile would be donating 100 gigabytes of data to eligible households as well as 18,000 internet access devices to students as part of the program.
“This generous donation, combined with the Arkansas Access Point Project, will further increase the number of students with home access to the internet,” Hutchinson said in a statement. “T-Mobile’s leaders understand that students need reliable access to the internet. This is especially welcome as we search for ways to continue school during the pandemic.”
T-Mobile has partnered with school districts throughout the United States to provide free wireless hotpots and high-speed data, as well as access to laptops.
Mike Katz, the executive vice president of T-Mobile for Business, called internet connectivity a “critical issue” throughout the country and one that would provide opportunities for students.
“T-Mobile has been working closely with schools, state governments and technology partners since the pandemic started to connect those who need it most, including more than 1.6 million students nationwide and nearly 5,000 right here in Arkansas. Now, with Project 10Million, we are going even bigger to tackle this critical issue head on – connecting thousands more across the state. We believe access to the internet means access to opportunity, and we’re going to give millions of students in the U.S. the connectivity they need and deserve,” he said.
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