T-Mobile Empowers Refugees, Expands Affordable Connectivity & Enhances Accessibility
Advancing Digital Connectivity for Personal, Economic, and Social Growth
Today, digital connectivity is essential for the personal, economic, and social vitality of individuals and communities worldwide. We are dedicated to overcoming obstacles to consistent and reliable connectivity by promoting broader access, affordability, and skill-building programs to help people navigate the online world responsibly and effectively.
Expanding Choice and Speed Nationwide
In 2020, we embarked on a mission to enhance speed and choice for people across the United States by developing a leading 5G network to reach as much of the population as possible. Concurrently, we challenged major internet providers to offer broadband access to customers and communities typically served by fewer, higher-cost providers. Increasing options for more people through our leading 5G network has proven to be a successful strategy.
By the end of 2023, T-Mobile’s 5G network reached over 330 million people, covering 98% of the U.S. population. Additionally, T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet was available to over 50 million U.S. households, including a third in rural areas. Reliable, high-speed coverage significantly impacted areas where we continued to expand 5G in 2023, such as the Quad Cities region of Iowa and Illinois, where 87% of residents now have access to T-Mobile’s 5G network, and in Virginia, where 97% of residents in 32,000 square miles now have 5G access.
Connecting Rural America
Despite comprising about 40% of the country, small markets and rural areas in America have often been neglected and underserved in terms of connectivity. Our goal to extend our leading 5G network across the United States includes a commitment to provide coverage for 90% of America’s rural population by 2026. Fast, reliable connectivity is crucial for the economic and social well-being of rural communities nationwide.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Education
A key factor in student success is having consistent access to a reliable internet connection, which impacts participation, attendance, motivation, and academic performance. As digital skills become increasingly vital for future careers, it is important that the next generation can effectively and responsibly engage in the digital world.
In 2023, we intensified our efforts to address this issue through Project 10Million and other educational initiatives, reaffirming our commitment to support families across the U.S. disproportionately affected by the digital divide. We offer free mobile hotspots and internet connectivity to up to 10 million eligible student households and provide school districts with free and heavily subsidized data plans for their students. Additionally, affordable laptops and tablets are available to both students and their families through this program.
Our efforts have already made a significant impact, connecting nearly six million students to the internet and providing over $6.4 billion in products and services. However, with millions of students still unconnected, we are continuously striving to reach as many eligible households as possible. Partnerships with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS), with its network of 230 agencies across 5,000 communities, help raise awareness of Project 10Million and its benefits.
We also collaborate with school districts and education partners to adapt and address students’ evolving needs, promoting digital equity through ongoing and flexible solutions. While we are proud of our progress, we recognize that there is much more work to be done to ensure equitable connectivity for all.
Empowering Refugees with Vital Connectivity
For those seeking refuge in the United States, staying connected is crucial for rebuilding their lives. T-Mobile has teamed up with Welcome.US, a groundbreaking public-private partnership that offers essential supplies, training, and community support to refugees entering the U.S. through safe and orderly pathways. We've committed to providing up to 200,000 lines of free talk, text, and data service for one year via Metro by T-Mobile. In 2023, we collaborated with resettlement agencies and community organizations to distribute free smartphones from Google to 24,000 newcomers, ensuring they had access to a year of complimentary service. We are honored to assist thousands of refugees in transitioning to their new homes.
Offering Affordable Connectivity
T-Mobile is known for delivering a reliable network at an excellent value. To make affordable and dependable connectivity available to millions of low-income families and individuals across the U.S., we offer a variety of low-cost plans through our Connect by T-Mobile prepaid plans, starting at just $10 per month, and our most affordable unlimited talk and text plan for $15 a month. Additionally, T-Mobile continued its participation in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through Metro by T-Mobile and Assurance Wireless®. ACP provides eligible households with a monthly discount of up to $30 (up to $75 on some tribal lands) for internet service on certain plans. In 2023, our participation extended to more regions across 48 states and the District of Columbia, helping to close connectivity gaps nationwide.
Connecting Our Heroes
First responders are vital to every community, especially during emergencies and natural disasters when they ensure our safety. In 2020, we launched Connecting Heroes, a 10-year commitment to first responders that offers free unlimited service, support from our dedicated emergency response team, and priority access and preemption for all eligible agencies (as determined by DHS/CISA criteria). Our wireless products and services enhance the operational capabilities, productivity, and safety of public safety organizations, meeting the needs of both first responders and citizens on our unparalleled 5G network.
Supporting Diverse Connectivity Needs
We are committed to meeting the diverse communication needs of all our customers. T-Mobile provides accessibility options such as alternative billing for the visually impaired, free credits for 411 directory services, real-time text (RTT), and user-friendly handsets, empowering customers to connect in their own way. Additionally, we offer IP Relay services that allow individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or have a Speech Disability to use an internet connection and a computer or to connect with relay operators who convert voice communication into text.
Enhancing Live Sports Accessibility
Many fans with blindness or low vision face challenges enjoying live sporting events due to non-descriptive and delayed broadcasting. In 2023, we partnered with OneCourt Technologies to improve the sporting experience for these fans. Leveraging our 5G network, we provide real-time updates even in high-traffic sporting arenas. OneCourt’s innovative haptic technology conveys game action through touch, allowing fans to experience every play through their fingertips.
Today, digital connectivity is essential for the personal, economic, and social vitality of individuals and communities worldwide. We are dedicated to overcoming obstacles to consistent and reliable connectivity by promoting broader access, affordability, and skill-building programs to help people navigate the online world responsibly and effectively.
Expanding Choice and Speed Nationwide
In 2020, we embarked on a mission to enhance speed and choice for people across the United States by developing a leading 5G network to reach as much of the population as possible. Concurrently, we challenged major internet providers to offer broadband access to customers and communities typically served by fewer, higher-cost providers. Increasing options for more people through our leading 5G network has proven to be a successful strategy.
By the end of 2023, T-Mobile’s 5G network reached over 330 million people, covering 98% of the U.S. population. Additionally, T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet was available to over 50 million U.S. households, including a third in rural areas. Reliable, high-speed coverage significantly impacted areas where we continued to expand 5G in 2023, such as the Quad Cities region of Iowa and Illinois, where 87% of residents now have access to T-Mobile’s 5G network, and in Virginia, where 97% of residents in 32,000 square miles now have 5G access.
Connecting Rural America
Despite comprising about 40% of the country, small markets and rural areas in America have often been neglected and underserved in terms of connectivity. Our goal to extend our leading 5G network across the United States includes a commitment to provide coverage for 90% of America’s rural population by 2026. Fast, reliable connectivity is crucial for the economic and social well-being of rural communities nationwide.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Education
A key factor in student success is having consistent access to a reliable internet connection, which impacts participation, attendance, motivation, and academic performance. As digital skills become increasingly vital for future careers, it is important that the next generation can effectively and responsibly engage in the digital world.
In 2023, we intensified our efforts to address this issue through Project 10Million and other educational initiatives, reaffirming our commitment to support families across the U.S. disproportionately affected by the digital divide. We offer free mobile hotspots and internet connectivity to up to 10 million eligible student households and provide school districts with free and heavily subsidized data plans for their students. Additionally, affordable laptops and tablets are available to both students and their families through this program.
Our efforts have already made a significant impact, connecting nearly six million students to the internet and providing over $6.4 billion in products and services. However, with millions of students still unconnected, we are continuously striving to reach as many eligible households as possible. Partnerships with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS), with its network of 230 agencies across 5,000 communities, help raise awareness of Project 10Million and its benefits.
We also collaborate with school districts and education partners to adapt and address students’ evolving needs, promoting digital equity through ongoing and flexible solutions. While we are proud of our progress, we recognize that there is much more work to be done to ensure equitable connectivity for all.
Empowering Refugees with Vital Connectivity
For those seeking refuge in the United States, staying connected is crucial for rebuilding their lives. T-Mobile has teamed up with Welcome.US, a groundbreaking public-private partnership that offers essential supplies, training, and community support to refugees entering the U.S. through safe and orderly pathways. We've committed to providing up to 200,000 lines of free talk, text, and data service for one year via Metro by T-Mobile. In 2023, we collaborated with resettlement agencies and community organizations to distribute free smartphones from Google to 24,000 newcomers, ensuring they had access to a year of complimentary service. We are honored to assist thousands of refugees in transitioning to their new homes.
Offering Affordable Connectivity
T-Mobile is known for delivering a reliable network at an excellent value. To make affordable and dependable connectivity available to millions of low-income families and individuals across the U.S., we offer a variety of low-cost plans through our Connect by T-Mobile prepaid plans, starting at just $10 per month, and our most affordable unlimited talk and text plan for $15 a month. Additionally, T-Mobile continued its participation in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through Metro by T-Mobile and Assurance Wireless®. ACP provides eligible households with a monthly discount of up to $30 (up to $75 on some tribal lands) for internet service on certain plans. In 2023, our participation extended to more regions across 48 states and the District of Columbia, helping to close connectivity gaps nationwide.
Connecting Our Heroes
First responders are vital to every community, especially during emergencies and natural disasters when they ensure our safety. In 2020, we launched Connecting Heroes, a 10-year commitment to first responders that offers free unlimited service, support from our dedicated emergency response team, and priority access and preemption for all eligible agencies (as determined by DHS/CISA criteria). Our wireless products and services enhance the operational capabilities, productivity, and safety of public safety organizations, meeting the needs of both first responders and citizens on our unparalleled 5G network.
Supporting Diverse Connectivity Needs
We are committed to meeting the diverse communication needs of all our customers. T-Mobile provides accessibility options such as alternative billing for the visually impaired, free credits for 411 directory services, real-time text (RTT), and user-friendly handsets, empowering customers to connect in their own way. Additionally, we offer IP Relay services that allow individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or have a Speech Disability to use an internet connection and a computer or to connect with relay operators who convert voice communication into text.
Enhancing Live Sports Accessibility
Many fans with blindness or low vision face challenges enjoying live sporting events due to non-descriptive and delayed broadcasting. In 2023, we partnered with OneCourt Technologies to improve the sporting experience for these fans. Leveraging our 5G network, we provide real-time updates even in high-traffic sporting arenas. OneCourt’s innovative haptic technology conveys game action through touch, allowing fans to experience every play through their fingertips.
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