BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport Public Schools has been awarded $714,456.95 through Connecticut’s Community Wi-Fi Grant initiative to expand broadband access for students, families and residents in the city, officials said.
The funding, provided by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services in partnership with the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology and the Connecticut Education Network, will support upgrades to wireless infrastructure in targeted neighborhoods. The effort also incorporates access through eduroam.
"This initiative is about removing barriers for our students and the communities we serve," said Interim Superintendent Dr. Royce Avery in a statement. "Reliable internet access is essential, and it is our hope that this work helps ensure our students can learn and stay connected beyond the classroom while also providing a much needed service to the broader community."
The project will prioritize residential areas including Trumbull Gardens, Charles F. Greene Homes and parts of the P.T. Barnum housing communities. The district is working with Park City Communities to identify coverage zones, install signage and inform residents about how to connect.
Residents will be able to access the network by registering through local housing authority offices or by connecting via eduroam, according to officials.
Officials said the funding will expand the district’s existing RESNET wireless network, first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, into a longer-term system rather than a temporary solution.
District leaders said the expansion is aimed at increasing access to online learning, job resources and other essential services for households without consistent internet connectivity.
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