COVID-19 lockdown and home schooling

COVID19 has provided many challenges but thanks to technology everyday tasks such as online shopping, banking, and home working have continued to be possible. One thing that most people would not have dreamed as being necessary or achievable was home schooling.

Education is extremely important to ensure that the youth of today have the knowledge and skills to thrive as adults and to help our economy recover and grow in the future. When the first national lockdown kicked in, both schools and households were unprepared with parents taking on the role of teacher. However, schools are better prepared in the latest COVID19 national lockdown, offering tuition in virtual classrooms with children using video cameras and conferencing software to take part in lessons from home. For the most part, this new arrangement works well and is on par with parents being able to telecommute and work from home, but it is putting home broadband internet connections under strain as video conferencing, virtual classrooms and various work applications compete for bandwidth. For a home with 2 adults and 2 children, there has been a surge in demand for additional internet connectivity to ensure that there is enough bandwidth for everyone to work from home.

Can I have more than one internet connection? The answer is, Yes. Most people may assume that you would need to contact BT to have a second telephone line installed but that is not the case; for those in an area with reasonable 4G coverage you could opt for an unlimited 4G broadband internet connection or for those in more rural or remote locations there is the option of superfast satellite broadband internet. Both solutions are readily available with relatively quick turnaround for supply and in some locations, you may even be entitled to a grant for free hardware plus installation.

Check if you are covered by 4G and view our prices and if you are not covered by 4G check out our satellite broadband internet solutions.