Philadelphia marks second year of PHLConnectED, reports 22,500 internet connections

On Tuesday, the City of Philadelphia announced it had enabled 22,500 internet connections over the past two years as part of the PHLConnectED program.

A response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on school attendance, the PHLConnectED program was the city’s initiative to provide free internet access to pre-k through 12th-grade students in need. The city had said earlier this year that the program had been extended for another year beyond its original two-year term.

“As Philadelphia gets ready to go back to school this month, we need to make sure students have internet access in order to make the most of their education,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “The connections enabled by PHLConnectED have helped thousands of students take part in virtual learning, access online resources, and connect with their peers and teachers. By connecting our students’ households, we are investing in Philadelphia’s present and future.”

The city’s 2021 report on digital access found that PHLConnectED and other discounted internet programs have positively impacted school-aged children in the city. As of 2021, 91 percent of households with K-12 children have high-speed internet connections. In 2019, that rate was 70 percent, according to the American Community Survey.

PHLConnectED also supports broad digital equity initiatives, including digital skill-building classes and school-based initiatives for K-12 caregivers, outreach award-based grants to encourage schools to spread awareness about the program, and on-the-ground outreach with community-based organizations and digital navigators.

The program is made possible by support from Comcast, the Lenfest Foundation, Neubauer Family Foundation, Elevate 215, William Penn Foundation, Fralic Family Fund, the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, Hess Foundation, the School District of Philadelphia, select Philadelphia charter schools, and Independence Mission Schools.