School Bus WiFi: A Cost-Effective Way to Bridge the Homework Gap
Students without internet at home face additional barriers to completing their homework, have lower graduation rates, and score lower on standardized tests when compared to their well-connected peers – even before the pandemic. School bus wifi helps bridge that digital divide.
Around 30 percent of all U.S. students do not have adequate internet at home – causing an internet gap the moment they leave the classroom. Our wifi-equipped buses fill the homework gap for dozens of students at a time.
School Bus Wifi Must-Haves
Researching school bus WiFi solution providers? Make sure any solution you're looking at includes these critical features:
- Wireless Connectivity eSIM Support
Best network guaranteed with each device provisioned with at least two cellular carriers. Support for active-active connections. Unlimited data without overages. - Content Filtering
CIPA-compliant content filtering for all devices attached to the WiFi network, without the need for integration with school networks or on-premise filtering systems. Filtering by category (time of day, routes, grade levels, etc.).Support for latest security threats, proxies, inappropriate content, and social media.
- Appropriate Hardware
Ruggedized hardware with an operating temperature range of -30 °C to 70 °C.
Support for various use cases ranging from 5 to 85 student connections.
- Flexible Contracting Options
Multi-year contract availability (flexibility of 1-year term with up to 5-year extension). - Care and Management
Web-based platform for real-time reporting of device and data usage, including daily student ridership, cellular signal quality metrics, and threat detection reporting.
24/7/365 technical support for staff, students, and drivers.
Deployment assistance including configuration management, with option to limit to district issued and approved devices.
- Installation
Harnesses and conversion kit availability. Installation capabilities with non-permanent options for leased fleets.
School Bus Wi-Fi is Now E-Rate Eligible
We applaud the 2024 FCC ruling that makes school bus Wifi eligible for E-Rate funding. This student-centric decision extends the classroom and helps to bridge the digital divide for those students who might need internet connectivity while traveling to and from school, to sporting events, and on field trips.
Watch This Video Testimonial
Farmington Municipal Schools
Farmington Municipal Schools Transportation Director Billy Huish talks to us about his real-world implementation of SmartBus. Watch this video and learn about
• The positive impacts he's seen on students
• How he's able to use the analytics to gauge student success
• How built-in content filtering keeps students on task and off of blocked sites
• How SmartBus has turned FMS buses into true extensions of the classroom
Download the Guide
The Connected Bus
A Complete Guide to Implementing School Bus Wifi in Your District
To bridge the digital divide and make it easier for students without Internet access at home to keep up with their peers and enjoy better access to learning material and other resources outside school, many school districts have outfitted school buses with WiFi.
Download this guide and learn more about
- The importance of bridging the digital divide, particularly in the K12 setting
- Why extending the classroom into the school bus makes sense for you and your students
- Other benefits of school bus wifi
- How to get started with school bus wifi for your school or district
