Current research shows that the number one barrier to internet adoption is cost of service. Some Internet Service Providers have responded to the COVID-19 crisis with new or improved discount broadband plans, that will only be available for a short time; others continue to offer plans that were created prior to the crisis. Libraries can encouraged to make this information available widely available to patrons.

• Free & Low-Cost Internet Plans compiled by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. All offers are less than $20/month total cost (with no installation fees).
• BroadbandNow is the largest database of broadband providers. Search by zip code for information on prices, plans, and ratings.

Internet Offers

Some Internet Service Providers have responded with new or improved discount broadband plans that will only be available for a short time; others continue to offer plans that were created prior to the crisis. The following is a list of current offers available to Arizonans.

EveryoneOn is a nonprofit dedicated to creating social and economic opportunity by connecting low-income families to affordable internet service and computers, and delivering digital skills training. In response to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on society, multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have made updates to their low-cost internet service programs to ensure individuals and families stay connected to the internet during this challenging time. EveryoneOn has updated its low-cost internet service options tool to reflect these changes. For more information, visit the EveryoneOn website.

Cox Communications is opening about 2,500 free public Wi-Fi hot spots, increasing internet speeds for free to help with load capacity and is offering enrollment in its low-income broadband internet program. For more information, visit the Cox Communications website.

CenturyLink will suspend data-usage limits.

Altice (Suddenlink) is offering K-12 and college students who do not currently have home internet access the Altice Advantage 30 Mbps free for 60 days for households within the Altice service footprint. For more information, call 888-633-0030.

CableONE (Sparklight) is offering 15 Mbps internet for $10 per month for the next 60 days for low income families. Unlimited data is available for all internet services for 30 days to all customers. Free Wi-Fi hotspots are available in the Sparklight office parking lots during the COVID-19 crisis. For more information, call 877-692-2253.

Comcast is offering free Wi-Fi for 60 days to lower income families. All Xfinity hotspots are free to the public. Comcast serves Oro Valley, Marana, Pima County and parts of Tucson. For more information, visit the Comcast website.

Comcast's Internet Essentials - Complimentary 'Internet Essentials' package free for low-income customers for 60 days with no contract (normally $9.95 a month). Speeds are up to 25 mbps and the self-install kit includes a modem and router. People can apply at https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19 or call 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.

Charter is offering free access to broadband and Wi-Fi for 60 days and for new K-12 and college student households. For more information, visit the Charter website.

Orbitel Communications is offering a $15 a month, 10 Mbps product that includes a modem and router and free install for families with K-12 students eligible for the free and reduced meal program. Service area includes Maricopa and Sun Lakes. Find out more at orbitelcom.com.

AT&T is providing all AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet, unlimited internet data. Business customers currently on or who purchase an AT&T World Connect Advantage package receive 50% off the current rate in a monthly bill credit (max $7.50/mo.). Businesses, universities and schools can keep their teams and classrooms connected through conference calls and video conferencing with Cisco Webex Meetings with AT&T for 90-days, and seamlessly forward calls to both mobile and landline phones with AT&T IP Flexible Reach. Eligible low-income households can continue to receive internet through Access from AT&T program for $10/month, with new customers enjoying two months of free service. AT&T has also created a new Distance Learning and Family Connections Fund to support new demands for at-home learning. First responders, health care professionals, educators and other essential customers will receive additional support to ensure the continuation of critical service to communities through FirstNet, which will provide unthrottled connectivity and priority communications. Note that AT&T store availability will be limited. To locate a store, visit www.att.com/stores.

T-Mobile is expanding network capacity for customers across the country. It is also expanding roaming access for Sprint customers to use the T-Mobile Network. All current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers who have plans with data will have unlimited smartphone data for 60 days. For more information, visit the T-Mobile website.

Verizon is providing free access to its public WiFi hot spots and unlimited data for its consumer home internet wireline customers and fixed wireless internet customers. Verizon will waive overage charges and late fees to support customers who may be financially affected by the COVID-19 crisis, in addition to automatically adding 15GB of high-speed data for wireless consumers and small business customers. Verizon also announced two months waived internet and voice service charges for current Lifeline customers and a new affordable internet option for low-income households ($20 discount per month). In addition, first responders are provided priority and preemption abilities for voice and data, and consumer and small business Fios and DSL broadband internet plans have no data caps. For more information, visit the Verizon website.

Tech Soup and Mobilebeacon (Sprint service area) provide hotspots for ~$120 a year with unlimited data plans

Sprint will offer unlimited data per month for customers with metered data plans. It will also provide customers with an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot data at no extra cost. For more information, visit the Sprint website.

Discount & Refurbished Computers

Nationally, 13% of Americans are smartphone-only internet users. Among low-income households, the Pew Research Center reports “[a]s of early 2019, 265 of adults living in households earning less than $30,000 a year are “smartphone-dependent” internet users - meaning they own a smartphone but do not have broadband internet at home.” Smartphone-dependence hinders full use of ICTs as the small touchscreen environment makes activities such as writing essays, participating in an online class, conducting research, and creating digital content difficult and frustrating.

RefurbIT (Yuma, AZ) offers discounted computers and equipment for individuals

RefurbIT also provides discounted tech support services in Yuma, San Luis, Somerton, Wellton, Gadsden, Parker, Quartzsite, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, Casa Grande, and Maricopa.

PCs for People a national non-profit which offers discount computers, software, and internet service (hotspots) for individuals and non-profits. Open to residents of the US. However, certain Microsoft and Internet products are only available to individuals and nonprofits meeting our eligibility requirements. Eligibility is validated at checkout if needed.