T-Mobile donates $4 million to boost online learning for Savannah-Chatham County students

The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is receiving a donation of over $4 million from T-Mobile’s Project 10Million to support students with free resources for online learning, according to SCCPSS administrators.

During a Jan. 12 press conference, representatives from the SCCPSS and T-Mobile announced that T-Mobile’s Project 10Million initiative would be donating funds to deliver free wireless hotspots and high-speed data to Savannah Chatham-County students. Each device and line of service is worth a minimum value of $500 per year. The SCCPSS will receive an initial allotment of 5,685 devices, with an additional 4,000 devices to be added in July.

Project 10Million was launched prior to the pandemic to address issues of digital inequality, according to T-Mobile representatives. In an effort to bridge the digital divide, T-Mobile has been working to provide discounted internet services to schools that, in turn, provide the tools needed for success in online classes.

“This new partnership will open new opportunities for my students in need,” said SCCPSS Chief of Data and Accountability David Feliciano.

According to Feliciano, to support students and teachers the school district has already distributed over 25,000 devices, purchased online instructional software, and rolled out WiFi on Wheels in Savannah and Chatham County for online learning.

“We are grateful to T-Mobile for their generous support of our students,” said Dr. Ann Levett, SCCPSS Superintendent. “Internet connectivity is as necessary as electricity to our students. These devices mean our students can access digital learning in a timely and appropriate manner.”

Households will be eligible for the devices if they have at least one child receiving free and/or reduced school lunches. All hotspots and other devices will be provided to eligible households by their school.