The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has worked with internet providers and cell phone carriers in the state of Rhode Island to help ensure all families in the state can connect to the internet at home.

The goal is to make the shift to distance learning as easy as possible for students, families, and teachers, without creating a strain for those who may lack reliable and affordable in-home internet access.

Now everyone in Rhode Island with a smartphone cellular data plan can get unlimited, free data through their phones during the COVID-19 crisis. This will allow you to use your phone to access distance learning or to turn your phone into a mobile hotspot in order to connect other devices (like a Chromebook or iPad) to the internet.

If you do not have internet at home or a smartphone cellular data plan, Rhode Island’s two major internet service providers, Cox and Verizon, are also providing free short-term internet access for qualifying families who are not current customers.

For more information on these programs designed to help ease the transition to distance learning, please visit the RIDE website.

If you are outside of the state of Rhode Island, visit the Federal Communications Commission to learn how internet service providers in your area are helping to keep America connected.