COVID-19 Temporary Internet Access

IS&S is currently creating a plan of action to provide students temporary internet access at their residence.  Please read the information below carefully before completing the DocuSign application.  The IS&S helpdesk will be available to answer your questions or concerns from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F (859) 985-3343 or help_desk@berea.edu.

  1. Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. Please check the Charter/Spectrum coverage map before completing the DocuSign form.
  2. Comcast is offering two months of free high-speed internet access to college students (Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, Comcast is offering two months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19).)  Comcast coverage area is for TN, VA, GA and IN, please check the map for coverage in your area. View applications and more information.
  3. IS&S is coordinating with Verizon to offer mobile Mi-Fis for students.  If your area has Appalachian Wireless coverage, Verizon’s towers are in use, and Verizon Mi-Fis will work. Mi-Fis are small mobile hotspots that allow your laptop to connect to the internet.  Please note that the Mi-Fis should only be used for academic purposes. At any time, if IS&S detects that the device is being used for entertainment purposes (Netflix, Hulu, Facebook, Etc.), we reserve the right to deactivate the Mi-fi remotely.  The Verizon Mi-fi service will only be active until May 31, 2020.  After May 31, 2020, the Mi-fi will no longer connect to the internet.  IS&S will provide each student with a shipping label to mail the units back to the College.  Please check the Verizon coverage map before completing the DocuSign form (select the “Expand interactive map” to zoom into your residence for coverage).
  4. Alternative options to consider for internet access
    • Free internet at your local library
    • Most fast-food restaurants (McDonald’s, Starbucks) and, in some cases, you can access these networks from your car
    • Family members or friends with internet access
    • Share a single Mi-fi with another BC student who lives nearby
  5. Please contact IS&S by phone or email to request the DocuSign form required to request the Verizon Mi-Fi device. Please understand that we may not have enough devices to handle every request.