The significance of reliable Internet service for students cannot be overstated. Whether it's for academic research, online learning, or social connectivity, a dependable and affordable WiFi connection for students is a non-negotiable necessity. The demand for reliable Internet service for students in college has risen lately as well. With the prevalence of online courses and remote learning experiences across the country increasing, the need for a robust Internet connection to handle their workload has become a highly sought-after commodity.

In this blog, we'll be talking about Internet connections for students. We'll talk about what to look for, what's best, and even some deals you can take advantage of to save yourself some money.

What is "Good Internet for Students?"

Depending on how you as a student and your family use the Internet, what's good and important to you may be different from someone else. Someone who plays video games online will have different speed requirements than someone who casually browses the Internet, but, generally, a good Internet connection can be defined as any connection that allows you to reliably do what you need to do without causing you frustration. So, if you play video games, a good connection will keep your lag low. If you spend your time browsing the web, good Internet will load pages quickly. Whether you're working from home or streaming television in your free time, having a connection that works for your needs and your budget is the most important thing.

What Kind of Internet Do College Students Need?

Since many students don't have a workload that requires the fastest Internet connections available, most broadband connections like DSL or Cable should meet their needs. That being said, if you're a student, it's worth auditing your Internet usage and finding out just how much data you consume before making that decision. For instance, if you live in an apartment with three other students who are all using the Internet for schoolwork at the same time, you'll probably need a higher-speed plan just to keep up. So, consider the data and speeds necessary to download and upload files, watch lectures, and dial into video calls with your professor — and allow for breathing room so any other students you live with can easily do the same. All of these tasks use a wide range of data, and you may be using more data than you think, so finding that out and planning to accommodate may help you decide on a plan.

Another important point to consider when looking at options for student Internet plans is the service's reliability. If the connection is spotty or disconnects regularly, this can interrupt your workflow, so prioritizing reliable service from a reliable provider like Shentel is a must. Shentel offers some of the fastest speeds available and starts as low as $65 per month! For more information, contact us here and get started with Shentel today.

What Internet Discounts Are Available For Students?

Federal and Nonprofit Assistance

There are several Internet deals available for students and families to take advantage of that aim to make Internet services accessible and affordable. Some available options are:

• Lifeline: a program provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that offers a discount toward monthly communication plans to lower the cost of telephone and Internet for qualifying families.
• Enhanced Tribal Benefit: an extension of the Lifeline service that helps to further discount Internet services for qualifying families living on Tribal lands.
• EveryoneOn: a national nonprofit organization that collaborates with Internet providers to connect homes to low-cost Internet service and furnish their homes with affordable Internet-capable devices.

These programs typically cater to low-income households and have specific eligibility requirements, which you can find on their websites. For more information, you can refer to some comprehensive guides or visit their respective websites to explore these programs further.

Internet Provider Discounts

Students may also be eligible for special discounts on their Internet service from some providers. These discounts vary depending on the provider and the time of the year, so you may have to check with your Internet provider to find out if you qualify. Still, eligible customers can take advantage of these plans to reduce their bills and enjoy a more affordable, reliable connection. To see the current discounts and incentives that Shentel offers, visit our Promotions page here.

Conclusion

From federal programs to provider discounts, students can take advantage of more discounted service options today than ever. However, not all of these options are available for everyone, and some providers may not always offer incentives, so it's worth doing your research to determine which options are available and discover the best student Internet plan for you.

At Shentel, we make it easy to connect. For more than a century, Shentel Telecommunications Company has been keeping families in the Shenandoah Valley connected — and we can help you too. If you need reliable Internet, TV, or home phone service, our experts will set you up quickly and affordably so you get online and get work done. Contact Shentel or visit shentel.com for more details.