Affordable Technology + Affordable Internet Access = A Solution for Low Income Americans

How would you react if you moved and were forced to buy different tech devices to get online? And by the way, you can’t carry your account with you when you change school districts.

For people living below federal poverty guidelines, this is a fact of life. Their low-cost internet service (when/if they can get one) is constantly disrupted. Not because they aren’t paying, but because they’re doing what they need to do to get by — things like moving to be closer to a job or working another job to increase their income.

Today, the cost of a new computer and standard internet service puts them beyond the reach of many of the people who really need them. More and more government services have moved online. Job placement has moved online. Student’s homework is online. Doctor appointments are online.

When someone’s internet service is cut off, it’s harder to find work. Harder to apply for services. Harder to make a doctor’s appointment. Harder for their kids to do their homework. In today’s digital world, internet disruption has become another hurdle along the path of success — just to get access to many basic services.

That’s a big problem.

But let’s talk about a solution.

Let's take a look at a successful and innovative program that helps people gain — and keep — long-term internet access.

One that’s working today across the US.

Lowering the Barrier

A lot of nonprofit and government programs focused on closing the digital divide are geographically based. For example, many schools have programs that provide low-cost laptops to students with need. And these students can often access the internet while at school.

But what happens if they move school districts and their new school doesn’t offer these services? For many students, they’re just out of luck. Their homework is online. But they are not.

At 35 Mile Foundation, we’re addressing this challenge through a partnership with PCs for People.

Since 1998, PCs for People has provided refurbished computers and technology to eligible individuals, families, and nonprofits who need it the most. That includes desktop computers, accessories (like monitors, keyboards, and cables), laptops, and mobile hotspots that provide their customers with internet access.

They also provide low-cost high-speed internet access. That’s what 35 Mile Foundation brings to the partnership. This service, available nationwide via the T-Mobile network, enables individuals, including those experiencing housing insecurity or working as migrant workers, to stay connected wherever they go — with no break in service.

Long-term Service

PCs for People’s customers often face short-term, month-to-month contracts that can be easily withdrawn. This partnership offers long-term, reliable internet with contracts up to three years — eliminating the worry of disconnection or unexpected monthly fees. The goal is to help families sustain internet access 24/7/365, even in summer when schools are out. Their 4G and 5G LTE Internet program automatically includes a mobile hotspot.

PCs for People has 12 locations, nationwide. But their customers don’t need to be local. These services are portable. Internet access is through the mobile hotspot rather than a cable. So wherever a cellular signal is available, their customers can get internet access. Essentially, any place a cell phone works, they can get online.

Move to a new town or city? All good. Your account moves with you.

Change schools? Keep the same account. This is a significant advantage over location-based services. And it carries forward throughout the contract — a tremendous benefit for individuals and families.

Let’s Ramp This Up

When we kicked off this partnership in 2024, we limited the number of accounts (lines of service) for the first six months so we could analyze the results, adapt as needed, and grow the program responsibly.

It’s been a success. Casey Sorensen, CEO for PCs for People, shared this reflection on the first phase of our partnership:

"Our partnership with the 35 Mile Foundation is transforming what’s possible for the people we serve. Nearly 80% of our customers lacked home internet at the time of signup. By lowering the cost of 4G and 5G service and enabling longer-term subscriptions, this collaboration expands access to affordable high-speed connectivity, supporting education, employment, healthcare, and long-term stability."

Casey also supplied some statistics to back up his feelings about the success.

Total Number of Customers: 9,134

Total Number of People Served: 18,210

Average Household Size: 2.24 People

Total Number of Students Served: 7,384

Average Number of Students per Household: 0.91

Average Annual Income per Household Served: $15,080.21

Percentage of Customers Who Own a PC: 47.42%

Percentage of Customers Who are Employed: 26.72%

Percentage of Customers with Internet at Signup: 23.06%

With the initial results in, we’re ready to move forward and offer more access to more people through this growing partnership.

An Invitation to Other Affordable Technology Nonprofits

PCs for People isn’t the only organization in the US that refurbishes technology and makes it available to those that qualify at affordable prices. As our partnership with PCs for People expands, we invite like-minded organizations across the county to join us in finding innovative ways to provide affordable internet access along with internet-ready devices.

This is a proven way to ensure that people who need reliable long-term internet access are able to get it at a price they can afford. It’s a model that addresses one of the biggest challenges that people living below federal poverty guidelines face — having their internet access be a start/stop experience based on the whims of government programs. That’s not stability. That’s people having the rug pulled out from under them over and over.

The model that we employ through our partnership with PCs for People reduces disruption and improves stability. The result is more than continuous internet access. It’s an improved ability to find employment, access services, pay bills, and do homework — activities that many people take for granted today.

Let’s Grow!

We’re looking forward to expanding our partnership with PCs for People. The model has given us the confidence to scale — not only with our current partner — but with other organizations across the US. And we invite organizations similar to ourselves and PCs for People to take up the model and get more people online. Together, we can narrow the digital divide and provide stability to thousands and thousands of people. And in the process, we can drive down the cost and lower the barriers for low-income Americans who rely on continuous internet access regardless of where they live, if they move, or whether or not a government-backed subsidy program goes away overnight.