The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to adapt in ways we could have never expected in 2020.
One of the monumental changes to everyday life in America has been the “new normal” of remote learning and working from home. However, internet access, good WiFi connection and a reliable computer are not always accessible. So the City of Covington and Cincinnati Bell teamed up last summer to expand wireless infrastructure in Covington’s low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
On July 8, 2020, Cincinnati Bell and the city of Covington, along with six other partners, announced their Covington Connect Initiative, a $2.5 million plan to provide better resources to local families. Their website describes it as an “aggressive push to demolish one of the biggest obstacles to economic opportunity for (Covington) families — the lack of ready and reliable internet access.”
Since the announcement of this initiative in the summer, many new steps have been taken. Cincinnati Bell is working to complete the installation of 124 “strategically” placed WiFi Access Points, according to a recent press release. These access points, or “hotspots,” will offer free public WiFi to the streets and houses around them. This flier will help you register and connect to one of these networks. (You must enter an email address and answer some basic demographic questions to qualify.)
So far, Cincinnati Bell has reported that over 600 people have signed onto Covington Connect 8,000 times in the past 30 days, and average of 13 times each, and the average session time was around 50 minutes. As more people have access to this free WiFi and better resources, these numbers will climb even higher.
“This has been a fantastic partnership that, quite simply, will strengthen the quality of life of literally thousands of families,” says Covington Mayor Joe Meyer. “Internet access is critical — people go online to access information, shop, pay rent, apply for a job, reserve a library book, attend a training seminar, see a doctor, and perform a myriad of other tasks.”
One obvious goal of the initiative was to promote remote learning for students in Covington’s schools as the pandemic has raged on. However, this new access to the internet will help people with employment opportunities, housing and health care access. Additionally, 1,000 free, refurbished computers were distributed to residents with the help of two Latonia-based computer firms: Blair Technology Group and ReGadget. Another milestone in the initiative was the installation of free WiFi in more than 600 apartments in the City Heights and Latonia Terrace housing complexes.
“We’re continuing to work with partners like Cincinnati Bell to create a 21st-century ‘smart’ city,’” says Covington City Manager, David Johnston, “but we need to make sure that it is one in which all residents are presented opportunities, not just a few.
“This will move us further on the road to digital equity, and we look forward to seeing its impact not only on individual Covington families but also on the economic health of the city as a whole.”
This article appears in Jan 1-31, 2021.