Internet Access is the Key to a Brighter Future for Los Angeles Students

AT&T Blog Team
March 7, 2022
Broadband Access and Affordability


Internet Access is the Key to a Brighter Future for Los Angeles Students

“AT&T has been committed to connections for 140 years. Over this last year and a half, we’ve seen where there are gaps, where we need to step in and where we need to provide additional connectivity.” ~ Rhonda Johnson, President – AT&T California

Rhonda said it perfectly, our core business is connectivity. No one understands the power and opportunity that access to the internet brings better than we do. But, we also understand that access to technology is not the same for everyone and are working on ways to bring improved connectivity to more communities. In California, this includes opening 4 AT&T Connected Learning Centers, 3 in South Los Angeles, to help students, parents and families overcome barriers to connectivity so that they can benefit from an increasingly online world.

We hope you’ll check out the two-minute video above to learn more about the first center we opened in California in December. The AT&T Connected Learning Center at Coalition for Responsible Community Development’s (CRCD) YouthSource Center in South Los Angeles provides free access to AT&T Fiber internet, Wi-Fi, and computers, as well as educational and mentoring resources for students and families. CRCD was started in 2005 by a group of community leaders to create opportunities for young people ages 18-24, particularly Black and Latino youth, in South LA’s Vernon-Central neighborhood. Connectivity is essential to creating this opportunity and we’re proud to work together to serve Southern Los Angeles.

This effort is just a small part of AT&T’s $2 billion commitment from 2021-2023 to help to bridge the digital divide through efforts that promote broadband affordability, accessibility and adoption. Other highlights include:

  • Teaming up with non-profits like Digitunity to get devices, including laptops, directly into the hands of students.
  • Making broadband more affordable, including by driving down the cost of home internet for eligible households to the best monthly rate – $0. This free option is made possible by combining a new plan from our low-cost Access from AT&T program with federal benefits from the new Affordable Connectivity Program.

We know that advancing digital equity requires a sustained and wide-ranging effort from internet providers while also demanding a local commitment to improving internet access and adoption in specific communities. AT&T is excited to work with local governments and community groups to help bridge the digital divide and help make broadband more accessible and affordable.

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