The challenge

Lack of access, lack of opportunity

In Harris County, Texas, as with thousands of other counties across the United States, many residents are trapped in internet deserts. These areas are where hundreds or even thousands of residents can’t access reliable, high-speed broadband internet. This digital divide has real-life consequences as much of the world has shifted online. It limits residents’ ability to access education job training, pay bills, and get healthcare.

Harris County Public Library (HCPL) tapped federal funding to create the $30 million Emergency Connectivity Fund and deliver this crucial modern resource to more people.

HCPL needed to deliver connectivity effectively with a solution that could bring fast, reliable, low-latency, and high-throughput 5G virtually anywhere in the county. The solution had to be secure, as many residents would be accessing sensitive information like medical records. Ease of deployment was also a key requirement, as most people had little or no experience setting up devices like routers or modems.

The solution

Easily deployed, secure, ultra-fast 5G

The Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G mobile hotspot was the perfect solution.

These devices are lightweight both in size and complexity while still providing advanced features for effective management. Fast and simple to deploy, especially alongside the digital literacy education Inseego provided with the equipment, these devices made it easier for residents to get home connections up-and-running quickly and correctly.

“Robust and reliable connectivity is a lifeline for every business, family, and individual. The Emergency Connectivity Fund grant to Harris County Public Library is an excellent example of how government funds are being allocated to help bridge the digital divide,” Rocky Pelfrey, vice president of Solution Architecture at Inseego.

The MiFi X PRO makes ultra-fast, high-bandwidth 5G accessible in Harris County. It ensures that whether residents are uploading large files for job applications or streaming educational content, their connections are fast and reliable without lag or latency. Wi-Fi 6 capabilities with support for up to 32 wireless devices and 1 wired connection via the built-in Ethernet port enables every deployed MiFi X PRO to make a big impact throughout a household.

Combined with built-in enterprise-grade security, the Inseego MiFi X PRO ensures that personal information remains safe while residents access anything from remote jobs to telehealth services.

Unlock lightning-fast 5G internet almost anywhere

The value

An impact beyond better access

“Robust and reliable connectivity is a lifeline for every business, family, and individual. The Emergency Connectivity Fund grant to Harris County Public Library is an excellent example of how government funds are being allocated to help bridge the digital divide,” says Rocky Pelfrey, vice president of Solution Architecture at Inseego.

In total, 40,000 MiFi X PRO devices, alongside 15,000 Chromebooks, digital literacy training, and wireless data service, are being distributed across 26 HCPL branches, as well as 20 other community centers and organizations in the Houston area. Secure and reliable connectivity speeds of, on average, 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload has had an impact on more than just children attending school.

“There are so many different groups we’re helping,” explains Megan LeMaster, the HPCL director of research and development who helped design this program. “For example, an economic development group in East Harris County is providing hotspots to graduates of their small business training camp to get their businesses connected.

“Another group is teaching seniors how to use Amazon Alexa devices to stay in touch with family members, with their doctors through telehealth, and for services like Meals on Wheels. Interfaith Ministries is providing hotspots to recently settled Afghan refugees. And we’re connecting Texas Children’s Hospital patients and their families to vital healthcare services.”