Closing the digital divide: T-Mobile is committed to digital justice

Originally published in T-Mobile’s 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report

Today, digital connectivity is inextricably linked to the personal, economic and social vitality of people and communities around the world. That’s why we strive every day to break down barriers to consistent and reliable connectivity by advocating for broader access, more affordable options and skills-building programs to help people navigate an online world responsibly and effectively.

Choice and speed for communities everywhere

In 2020, we’re committed to delivering more speed and more choice to people across America by building a leading 5G network to cover as much of the U.S. population as possible.

At the same time, we have engaged with Big Internet to deliver broadband access to customers and communities traditionally served by fewer and more expensive providers. Offering more choice to more people on a leading 5G network has proven to be a recipe for success.

By the end of 2023, T-Mobile’s 5G network covered more than 330 million people, or 98% of the U.S. population. And T-Mobile’s 5G home internet was available to over 50 million U.S. households—a third of them in rural areas.

Reliable high-speed coverage made a big difference in places where we will continue to expand 5G coverage in 2023. This includes places like the Quad Cities region of Iowa and Illinois, where 87% of residents now have access to T-Mobile’s 5G network⁽¹⁾and in the 32,000 square miles of Virginia, where 97% of residents now have access to 5G.

CONNECTING RURAL AMERICA

Despite making up about 40% of the country, America’s small markets and rural areas have often been overlooked and underserved when it comes to connectivity. When we set out to expand our leading 5G network across the United States, we committed to covering 90% of America’s rural population by 2026. Because fast, reliable connectivity can make all the difference to the economic and social well-being of our rural communities across the country.

MAKING CONNECTION MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE

Closing the digital divide in education

A key factor influencing a student’s academic success is consistent access to a reliable internet connection. Connectivity impacts everything from student engagement and attendance to their motivation and academic performance. And as digital skills become increasingly important for careers, it’s important that the next generation can effectively and responsibly engage with the digital world to prepare for an increasingly connected future.

In 2023, we will continue to work to address this issue through Project 10Million and other education initiatives, underscoring our commitment to supporting families across the United States who are disproportionately impacted by the digital divide.

We offer free mobile hotspot and free internet access to up to 10 million eligible student households in the U.S. T-Mobile also offers school districts free and heavily subsidized data plans for their students. Through this program, both students and their families have access to affordable laptops and tablets.

We have already made major contributions to bridging the digital divide in America by connecting nearly six million students to the Internet and delivering more than $6.4 billion in products and services.

With millions of students⁽²⁾ Although we are not yet connected, we are working tirelessly to reach as many eligible households as possible. That’s why we partner with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS), one of the most trusted nonprofits in the country with a network of 230 agencies in 5,000 communities. Together, we are raising awareness about Project 10Million and the tremendous opportunities it provides to eligible families.

We’re also working with school districts and education partners to understand how we can best meet students’ evolving needs and how we can provide continuous and adaptable solutions to advance digital equity. While we’re proud of the impact we’ve made so far on this important issue, we know there’s still a lot of work ahead to make connectivity equal for all.

School District Administrators can apply here and eligible Student families can register here.

Equip newcomers with basic connectivity

For newcomers seeking refuge in the U.S., connectivity is critical to rebuilding their lives in a new country. That’s why T-Mobile has partnered with Welcome.US, an innovative public-private partnership that provides essential supplies, training and community support to people seeking refuge by entering the U.S. through safe and orderly pathways.

We’ve committed up to 200,000 lines of free voice, text, and data service through Metro by T-Mobile for one year. In 2023, we’ve partnered with resettlement agencies and community organizations to deliver free smartphones from Google to 24,000 newcomers so we can provide them with free service for one year. We’re honored to be able to play a small part in helping thousands of newcomers to the U.S. transition to their new homes.

Providing affordable connectivity

We’ve built our reputation on offering a great network at a great price. To bring affordable, reliable connectivity to millions of low-income families and individuals across the U.S., T-Mobile offers a range of low-cost plans through our Connect by T-Mobile prepaid plans, which include options starting at $10 per month, and our lowest plan with unlimited talk and text for $15 per month.

T-Mobile continued to participate in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through the Metro by T-Mobile and Assurance Wireless® programs. ACP offered eligible households a monthly discount of up to $30 (up to $75 on some tribal lands, as determined by the Federal Communications Commission) on internet service on certain plans. Our participation in 2023 covered more areas of the country to serve eligible households in 48 states and the District of Columbia, helping to close connectivity gaps across America.

Our heroes connect

Our first responders play a critical role in every community across the country, keeping us and our families safe when we need them during emergencies and natural disasters.

That’s why in 2020 we launched Connecting Heroes, our 10-year commitment to first responders that provides free unlimited service, support from our dedicated emergency response team, and priority access and preemption for all eligible agencies (eligibility for priority and preemption is determined using DHS/CISA criteria). Our wireless products and services equip public safety organizations with solutions to improve operational capability, productivity, and safety, and meet the needs of first responders and citizens – all over our unmatched 5G network.

Support for diverse connectivity requirements

We are committed to supporting the diverse communications needs of ALL our customers. Through accessibility options such as alternative billing for the visually impaired, free credits for 411 directory services, RTT (real-time text), and easy-to-use cell phones, T-Mobile enables our customers to connect their way. We also offer IP Relay services that allow people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or speech-impaired to use an Internet connection or computer, or connect to relay operators who convert voice communications to text.

NEW WAYS TO ACCESS LIVE SPORTS

Many blind or visually impaired fans are unable to enjoy live sporting events because the broadcasts are not clear and are delayed. In 2023, we partnered with OneCourt Technologies to improve the sporting experience for these fans. We offer real-time updates through our 5G network, even in busy sports arenas. With OneCourt’s innovative haptic technology, which uses touch to convey what is happening during the game, we work with them on their devices so fans can experience every move of the game at their fingertips.

^{(1) 5G-capable device required; coverage not available in some areas. Some uses may require a specific plan or feature; see T-Mobile.com. Based on average overall combined 5G speeds as per Ookla® analysis of Speedtest Intelligence 5G average download speed data for Q3 2023. Ookla trademarks are used under license and reprinted with permission.}

^{(2) https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/featured-content/files/final_-_what_it_will_take_to_permanently_close_the_k-12_digital_divide_vfeb3.pdf}

Learn more about how T-Mobile is making connectivity more accessible in the 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report

T-Mobile

T-Mobile

T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s powerful Un-carrier, offering an advanced 4G LTE and a groundbreaking nationwide 5G network that delivers reliable connectivity to all. T-Mobile customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, relentless obsession with giving them the best possible service experience, and undeniable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information, visit: https://www.t-mobile.com/news.

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