MCLEAN, Va. and SAN DIEGO, Oct. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kajeet® (www.kajeet.com/education), the wireless service provider dedicated to kids and education, together with Novatel Wireless (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of solutions for the Internet of Things and inventor of the MiFi® mobile hotspot technology, announced safe, affordable mobile broadband coverage to 2,000 additional U.S. school districts utilizing the Sprint network (NYSE:S).With the new academic year underway, school districts are addressing the issue of student connectivity, or in many cases, the lack thereof. Currently partnering with 37 districts in 20 states, Kajeet is keeping more students than ever connected to online textbooks, apps, emails, documents and websites with its Kajeet SmartSpot™ solution to ensure that disadvantaged students have a level playing field to improve academic achievement.
The FCC reports one-third of all Americans –100 million people – do not have broadband at home. As more schools integrate digital and web-based learning programs and tools into the classroom, those students without home Internet access are finding themselves part of a growing digital divide. Student access to the Internet outside of school is a growing concern among 46 percent of district technology leaders who say it is one of the most challenging issues they face today, according to a Project Tomorrow report.
To ensure secure connectivity anywhere outside the classroom and not just at home, schools issue the Kajeet SmartSpot solution, a portable MiFi® mobile hotspot by Novatel Wireless combined with the innovative Sentinel® cloud portal, providing customizable filtered Internet access to keep students focused on school work and provide educational connectivity.
"Unlike other home connectivity programs, the Kajeet solution does not place the burden of payment on underprivileged families," said Kajeet CEO and Founder Daniel Neal. "Once upon a time, educators believed it was not their responsibility to feed hungry students, but hungry children cannot learn. As with food, so too with Internet connectivity; and the time will come when all schools recognize that it is their responsibility to provide broadband outside the classroom to children whom – for whatever reason – otherwise would go without it."
Over the past 5 months, due to rapid expansion and upgrade of the Sprint Nationwide 4G LTE Network, Kajeet is now available to an additional 2,000 school districts.
"Sprint is delivering America's Newest Network, already serving more than 250 million people with our 4G LTE network and more than 280 million on our 3G network," said Karen Freitag, vice president of Wholesale & Emerging Solutions at Sprint. "We have the capacity to extend our network footprint to Kajeet and are now taking steps to implement new technologies that will enable us to meet and exceed the speeds of our competitors."
"The continued expansion of the Sprint LTE network expands our combined abilities to reach more disadvantaged students and deliver equal education experiences that improve student outcomes," said Novatel Wireless President and COO Slim Souissi. "Our partnership with Kajeet is another example of how Novatel Wireless simplifies solutions within the Internet of Things. The advanced security features and patented technology found only on MiFi, allows Kajeet and schools nationwide to seamlessly deliver student connections that are protected, reliable, and easy to integrate, manage and use."
A key benefit of the Kajeet mobile broadband solution is that it allows districts and schools to fully customize and filter the websites students can visit, as well as the times of day or night appropriate for student use. Teachers and administrators can manage access hours and filter out non-educational content. This keeps students on-task and controls costs. As part of the Kajeet solution, teachers and administrators receive reports with learning analytics to help improve student achievement.
MiFi 5580 is distributed by WSA Distributing, one of the fastest growing providers of wireless handsets and accessories in North America to operators, rural carriers and MVNOs.
About Kajeet®
Kajeet, the only wireless service provider dedicated to kids and education, is bridging the digital divide in school districts across the country. Kajeet provides a safe, affordable, mobile broadband solution that connects disadvantaged students to the resources they need to complete required assignments and projects outside of school. The Kajeet SmartSpot solution, a portable Wi-Fi hotspot combined with the innovative Sentinel® cloud portal, enables administrators and teachers to provide CIPA-compliant, customizable filtered Internet access that keeps students focused on school work and provides off-campus Internet connectivity without worry of data abuse. The Kajeet service platform is protected by the following patents 8,774,755; 8,774,754; 8,755,768; 8,731,517; 8,725,109; 8,712,371; 8,706,079; 8,667,559; 8,644,796; 8,639,216; 8,634,803; 8,634,802; 8,634,801; 8,630,612; 8,611,885; 8,600,348; 8,594,619; 8,588,735; 8,285,249; 8,078,140; 7,945,238; 7,899,438; 7,881,697 and other patents pending. For more information, please visit us at kajeet.com/education.
About Novatel Wireless
Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leader in the design and development of M2M wireless solutions based on 2G, 3G and 4G technologies. The Company delivers Internet of Things (IoT) and SAAS services to carriers, distributors, retailers, OEMs and vertical markets worldwide. Product lines include MiFi ® Intelligent Mobile Hotspots, Ovation™ USB modems, Expedite ® embedded modules, Mobile Tracking Solutions, Asset Tracking Solutions, and Enabler smart M2M modules. These innovative products provide anywhere, anytime communications solutions for consumers and enterprises. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ: NVTL. For more information please visit www.nvtl.com. (NVTLF) @MiFi (Twitter) and @MiFiHotspot (Facebook)