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Almost 1 in 5 homes in Mecklenburg County don't have internet. How to access free Wi-Fi

It's not just access to tablets and computers, there's another big issue for families to stay connected: how to connect to the Internet.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — This pandemic is putting a spotlight on the digital divide. Many families don't have access to the internet or technology they need for virtual learning.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools says it has enough tablets and Chromebooks for all of the districts' 147,000 students. But the bigger challenge is getting internet access to those who need it.

In Mecklenburg County, 19% of households do not have access to the internet. That's an estimated one in five households.

Panthers owner David Tepper along with the Belk and Cannon Foundations funded 6,000 hotspots when school closed back in March. CMS says they plan to keep those active through the fall.

But there are still big gaps. In some of the rural counties like Gaston, Union, and Cleveland counties those gaps are unfortunately even larger.

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Places to get free Internet wifi access in Charlotte:

  • Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - Steele Creek
    13620 Steele Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273
  • Romare Bearden Park / BBT Ballpark
    Network: FanNet
    300 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202
  • Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - South County Regional
    5801 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
  • Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - West Boulevard
    2157 West Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208
  • Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - Main
    310 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
  • Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - Scaleybark
    4429 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28209
  • Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - Myers Park
    1361 Queens Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207

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