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We’re working tirelessly with our nation’s school districts to help ensure that every child has internet access at home. More news will be coming as soon as we get everyone settled.

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This also correlates to the technology being well over 100 years old and relatively unchanged. To put this into perspective, the Windows OS has been in use since 1985 and it has encountered 27 iterations, 39 versions, and 59 editions in a span of just 36 years.

Why is there a Need to Replace POTS Lines?

Overall, the POTS line technology has remained technically unchanged for over a century. Telecom providers consider these analog phone lines superannuated, which prompted the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report that POTS lines are no longer sustainable and proceeded to issue a mandate to terminate the copper lines. The FCC’s order stipulates that resellers and customers who utilize POTS line services must shift to an alternative service on or before August 2, 2022.

Due to the services pending termination, the two immediate effects of this mandate are a continuous reduction in provided support and a continuous increase in the service’s monthly cost.

In general, the pain points that merit this need for innovation exist in three distinct categories. They are as follows, the expense of maintaining and operating POTS lines, their inherent lack of monitoring capabilities or remote management functionality, and the lack of support. Even if these universal issues are considered individually, each of these three facets would singularly warrant the need to switch to an alternative solution.

Typically, when we discuss copper POTS systems, phone or fax lines are the first thing that usually comes to mind. Although this is correct, the ecosystem encompasses a vast selection of devices and use cases. For example, the majority of elevators, emergency call boxes, and alarm systems rely upon POTS lines for their functionality. Another use case is the Blue light towers located on college campuses that are backhauled by POTS lines to get calls out to the internet. In addition, most fire alarm systems employ POTS lines to achieve functionality.

Only after we understand the scope and importance of POTS Line technology, and all of the mission-critical systems it affects do we see that it is an intricate component that impacts every business, individual, and industry.

The FCC Forbearance Order 19-72A1 requires that all POTS Lines in the U.S. be replaced with an alternative service by August 2, 2022. The order effectively ushers in an end-of-life scenario for traditional analog copper POTS line systems. This also means that this aging and disintegrating infrastructure which provides life-saving emergency communications for our various mission-critical systems must be replaced without disruption. The challenges of this replacement mandate can and will provide an enormous challenge for businesses, individuals, and industries alike.

The more important factor besides the task of replacing such a critical component is the urgency needed to address it. Keep in mind, that critical systems like voice and Fax lines, credit card machines, HVAC systems, ATMs, elevators, security systems, fire Alarms, and many more will cease to function properly or completely. This disruption can lead to loss of revenue, reduced production, and decreased customer satisfaction for your business. However, if we consider the other systems affected by this technology, disruption can lead to slower response times, an inability to relay distress, or even loss of life.

Although the urgency and effects of POTS replacement are all-encompassing, the methods to effectively replace the technology are not. There are two primary methods for modernizing POTS Line technology, and they are VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and cellular. However, there are distinct differences between Cellular and VoIP Lines. Although they each format audio into signals that are carried along to a receiving party before reverting to audible form, that is where the similarities end.

VoIP lines require the internet for functionality and Cellular, of course, utilize cellular networks for functionality, but both are cost-effective in comparison to POTS lines. Though the major difference between cellular and VoIP resides in the methods they employ when transmitting data signals. VoIP’s functionality employs a packet-switched network whereas cellular lines utilize a circuit-switched network. In a circuit-switched network, the line is protected from superfluous traffic whilst remaining open.

However, VoIP lines transmit data through private and public networks in smaller fragmented data packets, which is the same way the Internet functions. This particular method can introduce distortion and irregularities that derive from the surrounding traffic and thus deviate traffic routes. There are also issues involving a lack of security for the data being transmitted. Since VoIP utilizes non-encrypted data packets, they are extremely vulnerable to being hijacked or subjected to DDoS (distributed-denial-of-service) attacks. As you might imagine, these issues and others like call tampering can cause VoIP calls to become uninterpretable, which makes VoIP unreliable in certain emergency situations.

In contrast, cellular utilizes a dedicated line managed by a telecommunication company, which inherently ensures data reliability. The other differentiator between VoIP and Cellular is the requirement for a backup power source. Functionally, VoIP technology is dependent on uninterrupted power to maintain internet connectivity which means a loss of power could compromise the safety of your security system. This, of course, is not an issue with Cellular since it continues to provide emergency call functionality during power outages.

The Smartest POTS Replacement on the Market

Our solution, Simplifi, enables IoT, business, POTS replacement, and work from home, by leveraging the connectivity of 4G and 5G Networks, UCaaS, and Smart products. Simplifi’s all-in-one technological approach brings Internet connectivity, voice communications, and collaboration tools into one platform that benefits every facet of your business regardless of industry. 

Simplifi actualizes simplicity from complexity by combining everything you need to efficiently operate your business into one place so that your business can function effectively from anywhere. Like any business, whether working from home, an office, or somewhere in between, it all starts with your ability to maintain reliable, stable, and efficient internet connectivity. 

Premier’s solution utilizes Simplifi’s VoiceLink technology. The VoiceLink Smart Dongle is specifically engineered to render POTS line replacement effortless. Its advanced tone stabilization and built-in management tools enable you to manage your device from anywhere. Today’s solutions require intelligence to meet your needs at the point of optimal resolution. The VoiceLink Smart Dongle is the intelligent solution that meets your need for POTS replacement at the point of optimum outcome. The VoiceLink Smart Dongle takes your complex issue and simplifies it by providing:

Compatible with standard POTS/PSTN equipment

Up to 2 REN (Ringer Equivalence Number) line load

Measures line load, voltage, and impedance

 means you will always be online. Simplifi allows you to back up your existing network in 3 ways:

Provide backup when you have a router or an extender

Since every example of Enterprise Failover is distinct, you should consult your network administrator before installing. However, a typical Enterprise failover application could include installing Simplifi on a Firewall in a network, PBX, or VOIP failover situation. As a result, by connecting an Ethernet cable directly to the LAN out port on Simplifi to the inbound WAN port on your firewall and configuring accordingly for in/outbound access in the event the mainline internet goes down, you are insuring your continued connection to the internet. Also, you can add another level of security to this environment by adding a Static IP Assigned SIM card. Our solution allows you to manage multiple devices across your entire facility with an ATA (analog telephone adapter). If your business requires an ATA-based POTS replacement solution, Simplifi provides an ATA POTS replacement as an add-on to their Connect series routers utilizing the Simplifi Lines platform. 

The Simplifi Remote Management Portal (SRMP)

The SRMP or Simplifi Remote Management Portal is a critical component that promotes enhanced productivity, increased efficiency, decreased system downtimes, reduced maintenance time, reduced operational costs, and seamless updates and setup. The SRMP is a cloud-based management platform that enables the end-user to remotely manage all their deployed Simplifi devices simultaneously.

Through SRMP’s centralized console, it enables the customer to perform remote firmware updates, check the device status of deployed devices, modify device configurations, and reboot their devices. The SRMP also affords management features such as tracking data usage, location, Carrier type, band selection, and various other performance-enhancing features. 

The most crucial benefit of the SRMP’s remote management functionality is, that it enables remote troubleshooting and contactless configurations. This translates into significant savings to your business because it negates the need to dispatch a technician, therefore reducing maintenance time, maintenance cost, system downtime, repair time, and operational costs.

POTS Replacement and the FCC Forbearance Order 19-72A1 

Every single mile from the first to the last, there is a focused need for safety. With districts facing unprecedented shortages of bus drivers and the effects of the pandemic, being able to know where our students are is paramount.

Student Ridership Prioritizes Student Safety First

Crosswalk K-12 and student ridership are revolutionizing student transportation. The “New Normal” in this case means that districts can leverage technology to reliably enhance student safety.

Student ridership is centered around the safety of our students. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCEMC), 460,000 children in the U.S. are reported missing every year (2021). The NCMEC further states that a child goes missing in the U.S. every 90 seconds. However, both law enforcement and independent agencies agree that the use and advancement of technology continue to lower these numbers every year. Crosswalk K-12 and student ridership are an intricate part of the technological solutions that increase student safety and serve as a deterrent.

Student ridership also provides bus drivers with accurate facial recognition of students, their assigned buses, precise address, exact bus stops for pick-ups and drop-offs, and ensures that the students who should be on a specific bus are the correct students. The added benefit of student ridership is it helps both new drivers and substitute drivers to efficiently learn the route. Also, it helps prevent students from boarding the wrong bus or getting dropped off at the wrong stop. In addition, there are detailed reports of when and where students boarded the bus, and this information is shared with the administrative office in real-time and can be accessed via PC or mobile devices.


Route Optimization Saves Time, Resources, and Enhances Efficiency

Every school district must contend with balancing its budget against meeting the demands placed on the district. The need for limiting cost without mitigating the safety and service offered to its students is another area of concern for school districts. However, solutions like student tracking and student ridership provide the technology tools to address those needs while remaining within the confines of a district's budget.

The ability to mitigate operational costs is more vital than ever, especially when we consider a district’s annual fuel costs. For example, a diesel school bus that travels 8.5 miles per gallon over a distance of 12,000 miles will cost approximately $6,225.88 to fuel for the year. Therefore, it is paramount that school districts leverage technologies like student ridership and student tracking to alleviate bus stop errors, excessive idle time, route errors, and student misplacement.

Aside from the operational cost savings, student tracking means knowing when your child is on the bus, which bus they are on, where they were dropped off, and through the app, a parent or child will know when the bus is approaching their stop.

This negates the need for students to wait out in the cold, dark, rain, or for an undetermined amount of time for the bus to arrive. Student ridership and student tracking ensures transportation safety for every student, efficiency for school districts, and peace of mind for parents.

Although a school district’s budget is a close comparison to a high wire juggling act without a safety net. Schools are routinely tasked with doing more with less. The current pandemic placed this analogy on an elevated pedestal accompanied by a spotlight. However, like always, our school districts were equal to the task and found a way to keep their commitments to their respective communities.

Every District is Accountable for Our Most Precious Resource: Our Students

Accountability to our students and their parents is the focus of every school district. The utilization of technology like student ridership and student tracking demonstrates a district’s commitment to safety and service. Transporting students safely, timely, and keeping parents informed is a monumental task. This is exacerbated by limited access to much-needed resources and frequent driver shortages.

Premier Wireless understands these challenges and we realize that failure is not an option because of what is at stake; our future. We know that the responsibility to the parents and the students in their custody and care is a district’s top priority. It is this level of care, responsibility, and accountability that motivated the creation of Crosswalk K-12 and its featured solutions student ridership and student tracking.

How Smart Technology Promotes Enhanced Productivity and Reduces Driver Stress

Driver shortages are universal across all industries. However, for school districts, the importance of these critical positions is magnified by the importance of their transports, i.e., students. Being the son of a former bus driver, I remember my father telling me about the added stresses of the position. He would say that you had to deal with the weather, students switching seats, getting in the aisles, occasional fights, and sometimes getting sick. In essence, the job required the driver to be a student counselor, nurse, and mediator, all while maintaining focus on student safety, the road, and other driving hazards.

With such an important job that affects the very fabric of a school district’s functionality, developing new ways to retain their drivers is essential. The features of student ridership and student tracking provide benefits that will lower the stress level of your drivers.

Through this solution, a driver can easily identify each student by name and face. This inherently reduces uncertainty and it gives the student a sense of comfort that the driver acknowledges them as a person and not a student number. Student tracking and student ridership also increases the accuracy of student drop-offs and student pick-ups by ensuring the correct student is getting on the bus or off the bus at the correct stop.

School bus drivers are human and the vast majority of them chose this career path because they genuinely care about our students. Therefore, with this care comes added stress induced by worrying about student safety. However, one way that could help alleviate some of these stresses is by acknowledging them and the outstanding work they do. The benefit of this appreciation will lead to higher driver retention. One of the ways a school district can provide such recognition is through a rewards or incentive programs.

The student ridership program offers real-time data that is empirical by nature and could provide the tools a district needs to accurately assess a driver’s performance.

How Student Tracking Enhances Contact Tracing and Promotes Safety

Another critical benefit afforded by student tracking and student ridership is its ability to significantly contribute to the mitigation of the spread of COVID. These benefits involve the use of the location data provided by student tracking to assist with contact tracing, which is proven to be an effective method of controlling the spread of the virus.

The overall benefit of the use of student tracking, in this scenario, is it drastically reduces contact tracing time and increases the accuracy of contact tracing. Furthermore, it allows those who are possibly exposed to be informed quicker and at times, it alerts those who otherwise may not know until it's too late.

The need for more effective and accurate contact tracing is vital in keeping your students safe, your drivers safe, your administrators safe, and your families safe. The added benefit is it helps with driver retention. This is critical now more than ever, especially when there are numerous reports of drivers dying from COVID exposure, including a report by Kaiser Health News that states that school bus drivers in at least 10 states have died of the disease as of August 2021. Sadly, these numbers are not complete without any central government repository, according to the National Education Association.

Here are some of what the benefits of Student Ridership and Student Tracking helps school districts to do:

Safeguard student riders every mile of the ride.

Ensure compliance with regulatory safety standards.

Optimize routes, vehicle usage, and fuel efficiency.

Utilize data for contact tracing purposes

The ability to provide an incentive program for drivers

Ensure students are dropped off at the correct bus stop

Help drivers to learn their students by name and face

Help drivers and students form a comfort level

Reduce the stress on drivers by significantly reducing the possibility of error

Enhance efficiency and makes a driver's job easier and less stressful

Student ridership and student tracking is technology being leveraged to enhance safety, provide peace of mind to parents, demonstrate a district's commitment to accountability and reliability to the community, and be an effective method of retaining drivers by making their jobs easier while enhancing their effectiveness.

According to The Harris Poll of 564 U.S. (Sept. 2021), approximately 33% of parents rely on school bus transportation 100% of the time, and 76% of parents want a better way to track their kids to and from school and receive notifications via mobile app. With parents currently demanding the use of solutions like student ridership and student tracking, your district cannot afford to wait.

Top 5 Benefits of Student Ridership & Crosswalk K-12

Expanding opportunities for underserved students that lack additional resources can change the trajectory of their life. Providing internet connectivity can help these students push past their limited surroundings to achieve new heights in technological innovation. If not for genius-minded innovators, we might not enjoy the same quality of life as we do now.

Dr. Patricia Bath was the first African American woman to receive a 

. Her Laserphaco probe was a medical breakthrough that allowed non-invasive cataract removal. Upon her observation of the sight disparity between Harlem Hospital patients and Colombia University patients, Dr. Bath began her research into ophthalmology. A new discipline called Community Ophthalmology was born and served to fix those medical disparities. She entered the medical field at a time when Black women were underrepresented due to education and employment biases. Despite the limits of her environment, she was not only able to assert herself in a white, male-dominated space but also opened doors for the next generation. Diversity in the STEM industries breeds innovation and benefits us all.


Limitations Inside & Outside the Classroom

On average, Black students are facing limited access to digital resources at a higher rate than white students. Due to this limited access, Black students are facing a disadvantage in the pursuit of STEM careers compared to their peers who already have device capability and knowledge by the time they enter higher education institutions. School districts have the power to bridge this gap in accessibility to resources by providing digital devices for immersion inside and outside the classroom. This can lead to improved test scores and greater interest in the pursuit of STEM careers.

, 8th grade students who use a computer at home tend to have higher reading scores than students who do not. Access to a digital device with internet capabilities seems to encourage students to read more often which will only improve their reading abilities. Students who have a computer at home are also able to access online learning resources that could assist with schoolwork. Websites such as Khan Academy provide a 24/7 portal of tutorial videos and practice problems to reinforce concepts that students are learning in school. Without these valuable online resources, it is difficult for underserved students to get the additional help they need if they cannot afford the time or money for in-person resources like tutors, libraries, after school programs, etc.

58% of Black Children Live in Low-Income Households

Students cannot be expected to utilize the full potential of digital learning resources when they lack accessibility. According to the Pew Research Center, 

 of Black households are smartphone dependent for internet access. Most of these families are low-income which can prohibit Black students from reaching their full potential. These students have a harder time accessing online resources for tutoring services and may not have the additional time or support at home to supplement their education. This is troubling when 

 of highschoolers are assigned multiple internet-based assignments every month.

Imagine a young Black student arriving home after a 45-minute bus ride, taking valuable time away from responsibilities at home and schoolwork. This same student is now struggling to finish their homework because they do not have Wi-Fi or have a slow broadband connection. Either way, this student is unable to complete the online portion of their assignment and now must find alternative methods to submit their work. Even if the student can access the internet, now they might have questions about the assignment but no parents at home to assist them. The libraries in their area may be too far away or close early. How can that student get those valuable questions answered? These are some of the real-life concerns Black students face.

Using technology in the classroom prepares students for the future landscape of the STEM work field. Jobs are becoming more technology dependent, relying on computers and internet connectivity to grow and manage business operations. Even knowledge, or lack thereof, of something as simple as Microsoft Office can significantly impact a future employee’s work. Increased usage of computers both in the classroom and at home increases a student’s interest and enhances their understanding of technology.

During the 2019/2020 school year, ten middle school teachers utilized 

 in their classrooms to increase understanding of sensory technology and data displays. Variation in the successful understanding of this technology rested on the language teachers used. Overall, students were given an opportunity to study a piece of technology more intimately and challenged to hand draw a model of the data display. They were also given activities that allowed them to generate their own data sets, making the exercise more immersive for the students. Throughout this learning unit, students were generating more in-depth questions to further their technical understanding and increasing their interest in technical innovation. By the end of the program, 20% of the students were able to provide a general description and model of the sensory technology and data displays.

In today’s world, access to higher income can be awarded through educational institutions. College graduates between the ages of 22-27 

 compared to their non-college graduate peers of the same age range in 2020. Access to higher education is often stunted by lack of financial resources and funding. Many scholarships and grants require online applications, putting low-income and Black students who lack internet resources at home, at risk of missing their opportunities to apply. Not only are these students missing college funding opportunities, but they are also missing access to valuable ACT/SAT prep programs and resources. Now in this digital age, there are online prep courses and materials for 

. Those programs exist to give students with an economic disadvantage a chance to catch up to their peers who can afford in-person tutoring and classes. Without internet connectivity at home, these students are forced to rely on finding free Wi-Fi locations outside of their home.

 of these occupations reliant on computers. Technological literacy is essential for graduating high school students who may be encountering these devices (laptops, tablets, etc.) for the first time in college or at their workplace and lack technical proficiency. Their peers may have had access to and became acquainted with these devices throughout their childhood, putting them at a clear advantage. Access to STEM careers can be improved through knowledge affirming via certifications and college degrees. Although some STEM careers like Cybersecurity may not require a degree, they still require proof of knowledge via professional certifications.

As average working adults, we have extensive access to free or price-reduced Wi-Fi services. Coffee shops and fast-food restaurants like Starbucks and McDonald’s have been successful in using Wi-Fi accessibility as a marketing tool to retain clientele. They understand that providing a free service is an investment for their customers and improves retention rates. School systems should understand that providing equitable solutions for mitigating the digital divide is an investment in their students’ future and success and growing the community. The students will be more likely to utilize online learning resources that could determine their success rate in the classroom. By utilizing digital learning resources, students are more likely to earn their high school diploma and pursue higher education.

A real solution to addressing internet connectivity issues amongst low income and minority students is mobile study halls. 

 provides students with the additional time necessary to complete assignments when they are used to competing for time on public internet connected devices such as library computers. A wi-fi capable bus changes a student’s average 30-minute commute into a mobile study hall. For students who live in rural areas that face longer commutes, they are given back their time to use online tutoring services, complete assignments, do research and more. Addressing the digital divide regarding internet connectivity, students can now learn to be comfortable and familiar with technology.

Mobile device hotspots and wi-fi enabled Chromebooks are crucial for students without reliable internet connectivity. They are an easy solution to close the digital divide at home where students may have slow broadband connection, if any at all, and there are limited internet-connected devices. As evidenced above, internet connectivity at home improves educational scores which can motivate students to complete their education instead of dropping out.

If school systems are successful in providing more technological privileges, they can imbue on students the desire to explore technology further. Fostering a healthy interest in STEM will motivate students to pursue higher education and career fields that are STEM related. It is imperative the education system provides an opportune learning environment that aids students in overcoming the limitations of their circumstance. There are countless minds left uncultivated due to poor support systems, financial instability, and lack of resources. Low income and minority students overlap and are at risk of repeating poverty patterns when denied opportunities that could impact their lives. It is time for the education system to change their future and utilize more digital resources both inside and outside the classroom.

Changing the Education Landscape Through Digital Resources

, an estimated 55% of K-12 students rely on the school bus for everyday transportation. For 

 who deal with longer bus rides up to 90 minutes, this is valuable time taken away from their productive hours. Vulnerable student populations like low-income students, students of immigrant families and rural students who face longer travel times all need a way to reclaim their time to focus on school. This extra time could especially benefit low-income students who face more challenges at home than their non-low-income peers. 

 and internet connectivity allows students to utilize this time to their advantage and even provides a mobile study hall.


 (ATUS) shows that low-income students spend less time on homework than their non-low-income peers. What could cause this gap and how can we fill it? Although they manage to keep the gap small, they sacrifice leisure time to do so. Unlike their non-low-income counterparts, they do not have the luxury of enjoying a healthy social life and leisure time without taking time away from their responsibilities. This may not sound like a dire need; however, this increases students’ stress levels and leaves them less focused.

Time pressure can make an impact in stress management and affect productivity by volume and quality. Even adults have difficulties managing stress and productivity when time pressure is applied as shown in a study from 

. If adults face these issues, then certainly minors who are less experienced in the world will also struggle with time pressure. Although the school system may not be able to alleviate a student’s stress and responsibilities at home, they can provide resources that could help low-income students while they are on school property such as a school bus.


, within that group are a number of students who use that additional income to support their families. Unlike their peers, they are responsible for contributing to the financial stability of their family. Low-income students do not always have the luxury of taking time off to focus on studies. Since the start of the pandemic from 2020 to now, approximately 

43% of American adults have reported a loss of household income

. This has influenced some students to take on additional work responsibilities to maintain their household. According to the Pew Research Center, this loss has mostly impacted lower-income families. The side effects from this action have led to less time for students to focus on their studies. Low-income students who work are under an elevated time pressure and only have limited hours to focus on their studies. Bus wi-fi would allow working students more time to focus on their studies and balance their workload.

Students who go home to high stress environments and carry most of the household responsibilities benefit the most from having a workspace where they can get help from fellow students. Caregiving youth are a portion of the student population that face added responsibilities of caring for a family member. This may not sound like a large population, but based on data from the 

 Annual Convention, there are 1.4 million students between the ages of 8 and 18 that classify as caregiving youth. More importantly, an estimated 22% of high school students who dropped out were student caregivers according to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. For these students, bus Wi-Fi is a valuable resource that can determine their ability to complete primary and secondary education. Caregiving is by far a difficult commitment for anyone to make, let alone a minor who is still trying to learn about the world, themselves and their place in it. Having access to a mobile study hall can help to reduce their stress and potentially improve their ability to move beyond their current socioeconomic status.


Translating Travel Time into Productive Time

Another population of students who would greatly benefit from bus wi-fi are 

 who are responsible for translating important documents, phone calls and more. Student translators are burdened with loss of time compared with their non-translating peers. They can’t be expected to complete up to 

 when they must spend some of those hours translating a call to a doctor’s office, or helping their parents pay the electric bill. These students deserve a space for themselves to just focus on homework, studying and more. 

 could help close any educational gaps they may face.


Not only does bus wi-fi improve productivity, it also can improve behavioral patterns while on the school bus. School bus drivers already have a difficult job of safely transporting children across town without incident. This job is only exacerbated by students who may be bored because they have nothing else to occupy their time.

, Empire High School students were quieter and more controlled when they used their devices on the bus. Reducing behavioral problems can cut down on disciplinary action and shift the focus to increased productivity. This is perfect for students who engage in extracurricular activities who spend even more hours on the school bus. Teachers and coaches who escort these students can manage the students a little easier by enforcing study hall rules or giving them an interactive, non-disruptive activity to focus on. This would leave fewer behavioral incidents to report.


The amount of homework assigned to K-12 students can vary depending on the type of programs offered at their school. On average, students enrolled in advanced academic programs are assigned 9.1 hours of homework every week. Special programs may include Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. These programs offer challenging coursework and can place the student ahead of their peers for higher education. Students may qualify to participate in these special programs, but if reliable internet connectivity is not available at home or they cannot effectively manage their time to balance schoolwork and household responsibilities, they simply cannot take advantage of these opportunities.

Extracurricular activities are estimated to consume up to 

 of an adolescent’s time. This statistic is troubling considering adolescents are also estimated to spend 9.1 hours a week on homework. That is already 17 hours of outside of regular school hours per week that is owned by school obligations and duties. Students who participate in extracurriculars may find themselves spending more time on the school bus, especially student athletes. Seven out of ten parents say their school aged kids participate in sports according to the 

. Sports team coaches and staff responsible for escorting student athletes to various games can now utilize this time for pre-game prep or allow students to focus on their studies. Either way, 

 help to utilize lost time and can manage the behavior and limit behavioral incidents of students according to the 

. Any extra time that can be used to their advantage is crucial towards maintaining that healthy school/home life balance.

For some students, school may be the most routine part of their lives where they can feel secure and focus on one thing at a time, their education. A chaotic home life possibly due to caregiving responsibilities, additional household duties or part time jobs can disrupt a student’s ability to manage their school workload. Even if the student were able to find time at home to focus on their homework, they may be in a loud household with multiple other children or have arguing parents/caretakers that create that stressful environment. Bus wi-fi can give vulnerable students a temporary reprieve and allow them to focus on their studies without the overwhelming burden of other duties and responsibilities staring them in the face. Providing access to a mobile study hall can increase student engagement with their coursework and improve graduation rates.

Helping Students Balance School & Responsibilities at Home


The Effect Safety has on a Child's Development

 technology provided by Premier Wireless provides both the tools and resources to positively affect a student’s life. Through the internet connectivity provided by ConnectED Bus, one of the most important factors in a child’s development can be effectively addressed, i.e., safety.

Our children must not only be safe, but they must also feel safe. According to research supported by the 

National Institute of Child Health and Development

 (HD19124, HD11944), an unsafe or chaotic environment prohibits a child’s ability to develop. This, in turn, also reduces a child’s ability to perform at their highest academic level. In summary, if our children are in any way concerned with their safety, it makes it virtually impossible for them to focus on everyday tasks like learning and homework.

Through the ConnectED Bus internet connectivity feature, bus safety is enhanced, thus reducing overall safety concerns. In a mobile environment, for example, a school bus, safety hinges on three facets; deterrence, response time, and accountability. ConnectED Bus, effectively addresses all three facets through its internet connectivity functionality.

How Internet Connectivity Enhances Safety

Internet connectivity provided by ConnectED Bus goes beyond just accessing the internet. It enhances your camera functionality by affording real-time surveillance, real-time remote camera access, and the ability to remotely access onboard video storage. This, of course, addresses one of the main facets of safety within a mobile environment (School Bus). The ability to access time-sensitive and critical video data enhances accountability and promotes deterrence. According to 

, the presence of video cameras reduces the occurrence of crimes and serves as a deterrent. This correlates to the enhanced safety afforded by ConnectED Bus through its internet connectivity.

There are various ways that internet connectivity provides a safer environment for students. This includes the onset of cameras used to monitor the stop arms of school buses. In this instance, the ability to monitor other vehicles during bus stops helps to ensure the safe onboarding and exiting of students throughout the bus route. Furthermore, it allows 

 to quickly address violators which deters future violations.

How Internet Connectivity Enhances Academic Performance

How Bus Wi-Fi Enhances Safety, Productivity and Academic Opportunities

Premier Wireless enables innovation, safety and transformation for our clients at work and at home.

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