A rural college launches a free in-home connectivity program

Even before the pandemic, Dr. Kyle Wagner, Northeastern Technical College (NETC) president, was a strong proponent of distance learning. Many of the residents in the rural South Carolina communities the school serves, where incomes fall below the national poverty level, don’t pursue a college education due to factors including lack of access to transportation and childcare. He firmly believed that enabling off-campus learning could overcome these barriers, and was working to expand the school’s remote learning program when the pandemic hit.

Wagner was suddenly faced with the unexpected challenge of rapidly transitioning to a 100 percent remote learning environment. But the obstacles were seemingly insurmountable. A school survey showed that only 30 percent of students had access to high-speed internet in their homes or the means to pay for it. He knew he could cover student connectivity costs using grants, donations and other sources. What he didn’t know was who could deliver the reliable, high-speed connectivity required to service student homes. He started the search for a partner who could provide both the right technology solution and the dedication required to get things done quickly.

Wagner finds a technology partner just as committed as he is

Wagner reached out to longtime NETC consultant Mamie Harris for help. First, they identified and mapped where students live across the three counties the university serves. Next, they overlaid internet service providers. What they found was that Spectrum Business for enterprise would be able to provide connectivity to many of the students through its existing service area. But that was not their only requirement: They also needed a technology partner just as committed as they were to their vision for remote learning. He brought in local Spectrum Business for enterprise engineers to determine if they were the right fit.

During initial meetings, Wagner explained the program needed to be supported by a solution that could quickly deliver the reliable in-home connectivity required to support live online classes, course replays and any necessary tutoring. “We didn’t want to take away from that face-to-face feeling of the classroom,” says Wagner. “Our students use videoconferencing applications to collaborate on projects, and we needed a solution that would enable that.” By listening and understanding NETC’s challenges, “we came together to determine how we could best serve the college and its student population,” says Kristin Perkinson, Spectrum Business for enterprise strategic account specialist.

A vision becomes reality

Wagner was confident Spectrum Business for enterprise could quickly make his connectivity program a reality. He, Harris and the Spectrum Business for enterprise team designed and deployed a program that provides each participating student with broadband internet equipment and download speeds up to 200 Mbps, along with simple installation instructions and a toll-free number for Spectrum Business for enterprise technical support in case help is needed during installation, or at any other time.

Tight collaboration between NETC and Spectrum Business for enterprise enabled the program to launch in just three weeks. “We have been working so closely that it feels like Spectrum Business for enterprise is an extension of the college,” says Harris.

The program goes permanent

Today, students attend classes through videoconferencing applications, and can virtually collaborate on group projects or meet with tutors. And students have received an unexpected benefit: reduced course materials costs. Many courses can be supported with open educational resources, which are available for free online.

Because the program has been so successful, Wagner plans to make Internet services and remote learning permanent offerings for students. “Even when we’re allowed to come back on campus, we’ll be utilizing distance learning,” he says.

And Wagner knows that whatever unexpected challenges get thrown his way next, Spectrum Business for enterprise will be there to help. “Spectrum Business for enterprise is a great partner. Everything they said they could do, they made happen. It’s been a terrific relationship.”

To learn more about the program, read the case study.