Google to provide 100k Wi-fi access points, 'thousands' of Chromebooks for Calif. students

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 22, 2019 a technician passes by a logo of US internet search giant Google during the opening day of a new Berlin office of Google in Berlin. (FILES) In this file photo taken on January 22, 2019 a technician passes by a logo of US internet search giant Google during the opening day of a new Berlin office of Google in Berlin. Photo: Tobias Schwarz, AFP Via Getty Images Photo: Tobias Schwarz, AFP Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 50 Caption Close Google to provide 100k Wi-fi access points, 'thousands' of Chromebooks for Calif. students 1 / 50 Back to Gallery

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that Google would be partnering with the state of California to facilitate distance learning for students in more rural areas of the state.

The Silicon Valley-based tech company will be providing 100,000 points of access — hardware devices that allow for Internet network connection — to residents, as well as "thousands" of Chromebooks for those who do not have laptops or computer access.

"They’re providing minimum three months free to high-quality access to broadband throughout the state," Newsom said. "They will help us substantially address the digital divide issues, the rural divide issues, the equity issues that are at play."

In a statement, Google clarified it would be sending 4,000 Chromebooks to 100,000 rural California households in addition to the internet access through the end of the school year.

"Google is proud to be working with Governor Newsom and partners to help bridge the digital divide in our home state," said Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google and Alphabet in a statement.

Newsom estimated that in addition to those 100,000 points of access Google is planning to provide, the state still needs 162,013 more to meet the needs of students across California.

"We need more Googles," he continued. "We still have more coverage we’ll need, but this is a substantial enhancement that came just at the right time with the labor management agreement, with the federal waiver, and with now the expectation that schools will close."

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced to district leaders across California on Tuesday that schools would not reopen before the end of the school year, “due to the current safety concerns and needs for ongoing social distancing."

“This is in no way to suggest that school is over for the year, but rather we should put all efforts into strengthening our delivery of education through distance learning,” he wrote.

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Alyssa Pereira is an SFGate digital editor. Email: alyssa.pereira@sfgate.com | Twitter: @alyspereira

