ConnectED Announces More Than $2 Billion In New Funds

President Obama on Tuesday announced an initiative between the Federal Communications Commission and several corporations to deliver access to high-speed Internet to 20 million students. Obama unveiled the program at Buck Lodge Middle School in Adelphi, Maryland, where the students all have tablets.

The FCC will allocate $2 billion for the program, called ConnectED, while private-sector companies including telecoms AT&T and Sprint will provide another $750 million.

“The most important investment we can make to drive long-term prosperity for our country is finding smart new ways to make technology work for schools, teachers and students,” said Jim Cicconi, senior executive vice president, AT&T external and legislative affairs in a press statement. “Providing access to mobile broadband for educational purposes and the tools teachers need to help their students excel is a foundational building block to improving educational results.”

AT&T will pledge more than $100 million over three years to provide middle school students with free Internet access over their wireless network. Sprint meanwhile will provide 50,000 low-income high school students with free wireless service for the next four years, which the White House says is worth $100 million.

“Sprint is honored to be a part of this dynamic White House program,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO in a press statement. “This initiative will build on the efforts of today’s most innovative tech companies to help make our nation’s children better students, problem solvers, creative thinkers, and future leaders, while also training teachers to effectively use mobile technologies to improve student outcomes and prepare them for a competitive workforce.”

Several companies in addition to AT&T and Sprint have also pledged to provide free products and services. Apple will donate $100 million worth of products including iPads and MacBooks, while Autodesk will provide every secondary school in the U.S. with their “Design the Future” 3D design program. Verizon will also provide $100 million.