Weymouth Public School is committed to finding ways to help promote Digital Equity for all our students and recommend the following resources for low cost broadband internet. We will continue to try to find solutions for families without internet and will update this page as we find new options available. As this continues to be a fluid situation we also recommend you reach out to internet providers or your cell phone carrier to ensure the information below matches your plan.
Free Wifi Hotspots
Comcast is providing FREE wifi to anyone at any of their hotspots throughout Weymouth and surrounding areas.
Commercial Hotpots: 12 hours at a time. At the end of that time the user can immediately log back into the hotspot and continue using.
Residential Hotspots: access is limited to 1 hour one time use.
Please visit https://wifi.xfinity.com to find a hotspot and learn more about different options.
To find a hotspot: look for the network called: xfinitywifi. You will only be required to provide your zip code. Make sure you use only the hotspots listed on the website.
Xfinity WiFi Network Nationally for Free
Xfinity® WiFi by Comcast Public Hotspot Offer
Low-Cost Internet Options
The Comcast Internet Essentials program offers a low cost high speed internet service for eligible households APPLY NOW 1-855-846-8376
Comcast has offered expanded features to help with COVID19
Cell Phone Data and Hotspots
The Weymouth Public School Education Technology Department has gathered a list of options for families who do not have internet or access to Xfinity hotspots. If you have a limited data plan with your cell phone carrier or a hotspot capable device, please find your carrier below for more information. Please make sure to monitor your hotspot data usage and do not forget to check with your cell phone provider to confirm you have the correct information on your plan.
We highly recommend hotspots only be used for basic school work and not streaming videos. You can use your cellphone to stream videos only if your plan has been upgraded to unlimited due to the COVID-19 emergency, if not you may be charged for this. Many carriers are also waiving late fees during this time of need and will not turn off service for those who cannot pay their bills.
How do I connect to a Hotspot?
1. Confirm with your cell phone carrier that the information provided above is still active and that your data plan is one listed.
2. Check to see if your Android is hotspot enabled. All iPhones are hotspot enabled, you can do this by going into the settings on your phone.
3. Turn on the hotspot capability and you phone will give you a network name to connect to as well as a password.
4. Connect your device to the network listed.
5. As always monitor your usage and be mindful of what you are using your hotspot for.
FAQs
What is a data plan?
A data plan is an agreement between a mobile carrier and a customer that specifies how much data the user can access, usually is per month, for a specific fee and varies per plan and carrier.
What is a hotspot enabled device?
A device that allows users to create a wireless access point (similar to WiFi) for a device, this could be a laptop or Chromebook, etc. by turning on hotspot using your cellular device. Keep in mind that your data plan is separate from your hotspot data plan. If you have unlimited data for cell phones it does not guarantee or mean you have unlimited hotspot data. Please confirm with your wireless carrier if you have any questions.
What is a hotspot?
A hotspot is a physical location where people may receive internet access usually using Wi-FI, via a wireless connection that uses a router connected to an Internet Service Provider.
What is a GB?
GB stands for gigabyte, this measures the amount of data you send and receive over a network. Thi is not the amount of time spent connecting to the internet.
Wondering how many GBs you are using?
1GB is equivalent to 50,000 single-page emails without attachments
1GB is equivalent to watching an 80-minute movie in standard definition or about 20 minutes of a TV show or movie in HD.