Many internet service providers are offering special internet offers during the COVID 19 pandemic that may assist the Biola community.
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Please note that many of these special internet offers list limited timeframes for their offers that may have already started. Please see the internet service provider's website for more information on when these special offers begin and end.
Identify the FCC's rough guideline on defining what type of service you need (Basic, Medium, Medium/Advanced or Advanced).
Identify how many devices are typically actively accessing the internet.
Identify the level of internet activity your devices are using (Light, Moderate or High Usage).
Your service need is where the two intersect on the FCC's chart.
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Review the internet speed (mbps) the FCC recommends as a rough guideline for your unique need.
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Step 2: Identify What Internet Speed You're Paying For
Contact your Internet Service Provider or log in to your online service portal to confirm what internet speed your current plan should be providing you.
Stand next to your internet modem/router, run the speedtest and note the following:
mbps Download Speed
mbps Upload Speed
Ping or Latency (ms)
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Run the speedtest on multiple devices (if possible).
Note: This can help determine if the issue may be with your internet hardware or the device you're using.
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Step 4: Determine the Cause of Your Home's Internet Issues
Results from Steps 1 - 3
Assessment
What to do
Your internet needs are greater than the plan you're presently paying for.
Your plan is meeting your needs and you need to upgrade/change your internet plan.
Contact your internet service provider to see what plans or offers they may available in your area that meet your needs.
Note: If you haven't modified your internet plan in a while, current internet offers may allow you to increase your speed at little to no additional cost.
Your internet plan meets your needs, but you aren't getting these speeds in real life.
There may be an internet outage or degraded service in your area or you may have faulty internet hardware from your service provider.
Contact your internet service provider to see if there is a service outage in your area or if they might be able to troubleshoot your home internet hardware.
Comcast is offering eligible University students a prepaid VISA card to pay for two months of Xfinity WiFi internet service with no up-front fees or installation costs if Comcast is available in their service area.
Comcast has wireless internet hotspots available across the United States at various public locations that users would typically have to pay to access. During the COVID 19 crisis, Comcast is making these internet hotspots free to access and use to the public.
Charter has wireless internet hotspots available across the United States at various public locations that users would typically have to pay to access. During the COVID 19 crisis, Charter is making these internet hotspots free to access and use to the public.
AT&T has wireless internet hotspots available across the United States at various public locations that users would typically have to pay to access. During the COVID 19 crisis, AT&T is making these internet hotspots free to access and use to the public.
For more information on how to find and use an AT&T public hotspot, please see AT&T's hotspot website.
T-Mobile is giving an additional 5 GB of data low income family customers that are enrolled in the Lifeline discount program (a government assistance program).
Verizon is waiving the service fees as well as boosting performance on internet and voice calling for low income families that qualify for or are enrolled in the Lifeline discount program (a government assistance program).
Note: If you do not see your local internet service provider, give them a call and ask if they have any special internet service offers for low income families, students or temporarily available due to the COVID 19 crisis,