T-Mobile’s Project 10Million doubles data to 200GB for students, partners with Boys & Girls Clubs of America

T-Mobile has announced an expansion of Project 10Million (P10M), which provides affordable internet access to students across the United States. 

As of 26th September, students from kindergarten through 12th grade who are enrolled in the programme will receive 200GB of data per year, double the previous 100GB allocation. This update will apply to both new and existing users for the remaining duration of their five-year subscription.

P10M is designed to help bridge the digital divide, which continues to affect millions of students across the U.S. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), up to 17 million school-aged children still lack consistent access to reliable internet services at home. This gap is particularly challenging as technology use in education has risen by 226% over the last five years, leading to increased demand for data to support activities such as online research, digital assignments, and virtual learning.

Families participating in the programme will also have the option to purchase a 10GB data pass for $10 if they exceed their allotted data. Beginning in October 2024, school districts with the highest need will also receive additional support, with their students being eligible for up to 200GB of data per year.

T-Mobile launched Project 10Million in 2020 to address the issue of internet access for students, with the goal of providing free or subsidised connectivity to up to 10 million students. Since its launch, over 6 million students have benefited from the programme.

Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile, explained:

"We launched our groundbreaking Project 10Million programme back in 2020 with a simple goal – to provide free or highly subsidised home Internet to up to 10 million students at home, so they won't fall behind in school. And today, after providing more than 6 million students with the critical Internet access they need to succeed, we're making the programme even better."

Boys and Girls Clubs of America team up

T-Mobile is also partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to increase awareness and encourage enrollment. Recent sign-up events were held in Dallas, Texas, and the Bronx, New York, with the participation of artist and activist Common, a supporter of digital equity and education. The events are part of T-Mobile’s broader effort to ensure that more students have access to the necessary resources for academic success.

Jim Clark, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, commented:

 “Our Club professionals are dedicated to ensuring all youth have the resources and support they need to achieve academic success. We believe strongly in the power of collaboration and community, which is why we’re joining forces with T-Mobile to make sure families with school-aged children have access to the essential connectivity that enables all youth to unlock their full potential.”

Further enrolment events are planned for other cities, including Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Tacoma, Washington; Kansas City, Missouri; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Project 10Million initially focused on providing free hotspots, data plans, and affordable devices such as laptops and tablets to students who lacked internet access at home. To date, T-Mobile reports that it has contributed $6.9 billion in products and services through this initiative.

Households eligible for the National School Lunch Programme can enrol in Project 10Million directly through T-Mobile. Schools working with T-Mobile to provide access to qualifying students may also participate in the programme’s enhancements. However, during times of network congestion, P10M users may experience reduced speeds due to data prioritisation.