LincTel helps students get connected

Two weeks ago, when school closures were announced with little warning, Lincoln Telephone stepped in to work with Lincoln Schools to get internet access to all students in the district.

Lincoln Telephone manager Aaron Daniel said Governor Bullock encouraged telephone companies to work with their school districts to ensure students would have access to internet from their homes to continue their education during school closures.

"We waived all costs, installs, and equipment until this blows over," said Daniel.

Lincoln Telephone also provides service to Canyon Creek. Daniel said there have been four homes connected for students in Lincoln and there's one pending in Canyon Creek. He said more might arise and the school is taking the lead on identifying students and then relaying that information to Lincoln Telephone.

In addition to connecting students' homes, Daniel said they've received some requests for increased service from people who are now working from home, and that Lincoln Telephone covered the increase in those services.

Daniel said it's possible that Lincoln Telephone may receive reimbursement for some of the costs incurred during the pandemic, but that their main priority is ensuring everyone has access to necessary resources.

"I just want to see that everybody gets through this healthy," he said.