Montage DigitalBridge is a digital divide solution, which partners wireless carriers and telecom service providers with schools and organization partners to provide better opportunities for students to gain access to computing devices and Wi-Fi access.

T-Mobile EmpowerED 2.0 Program Details

THE CHALLENGE:

Many families in the U.S. don’t have high-speed Internet at home. This problem is called the Digital Divide. But to succeed academically and compete in today’s digital world, every student needs equal access to online learning. Without this access, disconnected students can fall behind their wired peers, creating the Homework Gap.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Mobile access has the power to close the Homework Gap. T-Mobile plans to narrow the divide with EmpowerED™, a program that provides wireless devices and service plans to help students and schools succeed.

T-Mobile EmpowerED 2.0 Program Offering

EmpowerED 2.0 Mobile Equipment includes:

  • Free or low cost mobile Internet devices.


EmpowerED 2.0 Mobile Data Plans include:

  • Waived application requirement for EmpowerED 2.0 connected student plans
  • No cost hotspot option to support connecting all students in the household
  • Options from $10: 2GB High Speed Access and unlimited 3G to $20: Unlimited High Speed Access
  • Individual district conversations to determine student mobile access needs
  • Implementation teams will label and kit all devices for district direct to parent/student deployment if needed.
  • CIPA compliant filtering included on every device upon shipment
  • Reduced contract terms
  • T‑Mobile ONE Unlimited LTE for $20: Unlimited on-device 4G LTE data.

Mobile Data Plans

Video typically streams on T-Mobile device at DVD quality (480p). On all T-Mobile plans, the small fraction of customers using over 50GB/mo. may notice reduced speeds until next bill cycle due to data prioritization. Tethering at max 3G speeds. Sales tax and regulatory fees included in monthly service price.

EmpowerED 2.0 Service and Support includes:

  • Planning, implementation, and deployment support.
  • T-Mobile’s content filter helps prevent access to adult content.

Eligibility Criteria

We are now accepting applications from elementary, middle, and high schools, and districts across the U.S. The criteria for participation in this program are:

Required:

  • Individual schools targeted to receive funding have Title 1 designation.
  • At least 40% of students receive free or reduced lunch at each school.
  • Each school is located in an area where T‑Mobile has 4G LTE coverage over at least 80% of the school’s geographic enrollment zone. T‑Mobile will validate eligibility for this requirement; to see coverage in your area please check coverage map.

Preferred:

  • At least 15% or more of students are dropping out of high school (aggregate for all high schools if a school district is applying).
  • At least 15% of students are not grade-level proficient in math and reading by the 9th grade (aggregate for all high schools if a school district is applying).


T‑Mobile will select participants based on the criteria, application, and the interview described under “How to apply.”

Your Responsibilities

We are committed to the success of this program, and that means measuring impact. If your school district is approved, Montage Education will work with you to collect data from all students with access to off-campus mobile broadband access.

Your school district will need to:

  • Commit to training relevant teachers and administrators on how best to utilize the devices and service.
  • Provide annual aggregated data by grade level at each school, including ELA proficiency, math proficiency, and tardiness/attendance. Your school’s current data collection process and metrics are sufficient. T-Mobile is not asking for new metrics that are not already part of your reporting process.
  • Conduct two anonymous online surveys, created by T-Mobile, about student technology usage with students and teachers. The first survey will be administered prior to the student receiving access and the second will be held at the end of the school year.
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