ISP Schools Broadband Offers 4G Solution to Get Kids Online

A specialist ISP for the UK education market, Schools Broadband, has today launched a new Mobile Broadband (4G or 5G) product to help digitally disadvantaged pupils with working from home, while still being able to receive the same security and “Prevent” compliant content filtering as they would if sat in a school.

The product, which stems from the provider’s partnership with mobile network operator Three UK, offers 30 day rolling contracts with tariffs from Pay As You Go (PAYG) and all the way up to unlimited data allowances; all of which include a “secure and content filtered 4G solution applicable for any educational establishment.”

Apparently you do not need to be an existing Schools Broadband customer in order to access this service.

David Tindall, CEO of Schools Broadband, said:

“We’re extremely proud of the solution we’ve created. Not only do we give specialised Internet access that keeps hundreds of thousands of pupils safe in the classroom, but we now extend their safe learning environment all the way into their homes.

Furthermore, it’s very affordable with prices comparable to the main carriers but with the added advantaged of including our managed security and content filtering solution. We have already managed to help over 1,000 disadvantaged pupils learn safely from home when in the past schools just could not afford to deliver safe 4G connectivity to their pupils.”

The associated product page doesn’t reveal much, although David informed ISPreview.co.uk that prices for this service start from just £9 per month for a 12GB (GigaByte) data allowance. Included is SSL decryption, which is said to be vitally important when monitoring key word searches for Prevent compliance and schools e-safety monitoring, as well as duty of care policies to protect children and young adults.

The solution is delivered via a private APN to the ISP, where they then put all data through their filtering and security platform so pupils can get the same level of filtering at home as they do at one of the provider’s connected schools (they can also offer this to “off-net” customers).

We should point out that this product is currently separate from the UK Government’s new 4G scheme for children (here), although that may change in the future. Sadly there’s currently no set time-line on the Government’s scheme, where as the one above is available immediately.