Home Telecom and Berkeley County School District Partner to Launch Low-Cost Internet Program for Cross Community Students

MONCKS CORNER, S.C., Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Home Telecom, the Lowcountry's award-winning technology company, is thrilled to announce its renewed collaboration with the Berkeley County School District (BCSD) to bridge the digital divide in one of South Carolina's rural communities. This initiative aims to ensure families with school-age students in Cross, SC, have the tools they need for educational success by providing free or discounted internet to their homes.

"We are excited to renew our partnership with Home Telecom, a vital partner supporting our students' educational success," said Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon. "This ongoing collaboration plays a crucial role in bridging the digital divide, ensuring that every student in the Cross Community has the necessary tools to excel academically, both inside and outside the classroom."

With a generous Google grant awarded to BCSD and data provided by BCSD to identify qualifying families, Home Telecom is once again rolling out its affordable high-speed internet service with in-home Wi-Fi for the remainder of this school year and into next school year. This program will be open to households with students attending Cross Elementary or Cross High School (grades 1 -12).

Over the past six years, BCSD has implemented transformative programs like the OneBerkeley Connects initiative, equipping students in the Cross community with Chromebooks for both school and home use.

This initiative highlighted the critical need for reliable broadband internet in rural communities. Home Telecom recognizes that internet access is a necessity in today's world, supporting education, remote work, telehealth, and many other vital services.

"Home Telecom is proud to partner once more with the Berkeley County School District to launch this impactful program in the Cross community," said William S. Helmly, President, and CEO of Home Telecom.

Helmly continued, "While this initiative will provide free or discounted broadband access, Home Telecom has been hard at work upgrading older broadband technology in the Cross area. Home installed over six hundred miles of fiber optic cable in 2024, and most of these locations will enjoy the benefits of lightning-fast Internet immediately. By Spring 2025, the remaining households in this project will have access to the most advanced fiber technology available."

The process of contacting eligible households and setting up the service has already begun, ensuring that students can stay connected and succeed academically.

Media Contact: Caoimhe Zett, Home Telecom, [email protected] or (843) 761-9859.

SOURCE Home Telecom