Equipping School Buses with WiFi

According to the Associated Press, 18% of US students do not have access to broadband internet and 17% do not have access to computers at home. While some homes have broadband internet, increases to the home workforce have significantly slowed data rates. Using CARES act funding, Thomas’s school district was able to purchase laptops for students who didn’t have one, but now he needs to get those laptops online.

Thomas contacted USAT, a provider of communications and connectivity solutions. They recommended equipping his district's school buses with the capability to broadcast WiFi. USAT recommended pairing an Airlink® MP70 router with an LTM602 antenna, which would allow each school bus to broadcast WiFi instantly to up to 100 students at speeds up to 300 Mbps. They showed how well it was working in Leon County, and provided a very useful case study featuring the solution.

Additionally, USAT advised they utilize AirLink® Management Service (ALMS). With it, Thomas would be able to remotely configure, deploy, and monitor every MP70 device his district installs. The service also would allow him to deliver security and functionality updates seamlessly with a single command. And with automatic alerts, he'll be notified when each device goes on and off-line.

With an MP70 router and LTM antenna installed, a school bus can provide students secure access to the distance learning materials they need, and Thomas, and his IT team, can manage approved internet traffic and secure connections to the schools network. Later, when the current crisis abates, Thomas can look to utilize all the extra benefits of WiFi equipped school buses like live video monitoring, automatic vehicle location, telemetry data, and more.