The city of Long Beach announced Wednesday that it is launching a new program to offer free mobile hotspots and tablets with keyboards to low-income residents.
More than 550 free tablets with keyboards and 250 mobile hotspots with one-year paid internet service plans are available, while supplies last, on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified Long Beach residents with proof of qualifying income of 200% below the federal poverty guidelines, officials said.
“This program will provide critical technology resources to help keep residents and families connected, which is more important than ever during the pandemic,” Mayor Robert Garcia said.
Residents can apply by calling the city’s Digital Inclusion Resources Hotline at 562-570-7000 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The hotline is closed on alternating Fridays as part of the city’s furlough schedule.
The city will begin distributing the free mobile hotspots and tablets after reviewing applications and determining eligibility.
Low-cost internet services, computers and a free virtual digital literacy course also are available to qualifying households through human-I-T’s Connect, Equip and Digital Literacy Training programs. Residents can text “City of Long Beach” to 562-372-6925, call 888-391-7249 or visit human-I-T’s website for more information.
In July, the city council approved a spending plan for the city’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds and allocated $1 million to support digital inclusion programs as part of the city’s Digital Inclusion Initiative.
The city is also developing a “digital inclusion roadmap” to further address the digital divide and advance “digital equity and inclusion” in Long Beach, officials said.
Earlier this year, Long Beach was designated a “2020 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer” by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, marking the second time the city has received the recognition for its work on local government initiatives that promote digital literacy and broadband access for under-served residents.