ST. CROIX — Public school students territory wide are closer to picking up their free computer tablets from Heritage Wireless under the Affordable Connectivity Program as the Virgin Islands Department of Education announced today that it is sorting the devices, and a distribution schedule will be shared with the public.
The announcement came a day after WTJX wrote an article detailing the lack of information from the Department of Education about the tablet distribution as the Federal Communications Commission winds down the Affordable Connectivity Program because full funding for the program will be exhausted at the end of April unless Congress acts on pending legislation to appropriate an additional $7 billion to extend it.
READ MORE: FCC webinar discusses end of internet subsidy in April; No word from VIDE about tablet distribution
As federal lawmakers consider whether to fund ACP beyond the initial $14.2 billion appropriated in 2021 that is running out, the Department of Education announced that 1,584 eligible households who applied through the department will receive tablets and internet service through a partnership between Heritage Wireless and VIDE. The households include 889 in the St. Thomas/St. John District, and 695 on St. Croix.
Procurement of the tablets and internet services by Heritage Wireless comes at no cost to eligible families since the Affordable Connectivity Program is supported by federal government funds, according to VIDE. Heritage Wireless will notify all applicants on whether they were eligible.
The ACP benefit provides a $30 monthly discount toward internet service for eligible households. VIDE noted that ACP households may also receive a one-time discount up to $100 to purchase a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
Families can continue to receive free internet service under this benefit if federal funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program remains intact and the $30 subsidy remains available, according to VIDE. Heritage Wireless offers monthly internet and cellular service plans as low as $30.
Each tablet from Heritage Wireless will come equipped with a SIM card powered by the T-Mobile cellular network, activated for internet use, VIDE announced. The tablets will be the personal property of the students. They will not need to be returned to Heritage Wireless or the Department of Education. VIDE does not pay for the devices or internet services and is not responsible for the care or maintenance of either.
