Mediacom Named Friend of Education by School District Leaders

ROCK ISLAND, IA –  June 9, 2021 – Mediacom was named a “Friend of Education” by leaders of the Rock Island-Milan (RIM) School District in Rock Island, Illinois, and the company received a special award presented by school superintendent Dr. Reginald Lawrence. The “Friend of Education Award” recognizes a unique partnership created to give RIM students more ways to connect to the internet at no cost. 

In March, Mediacom adjusted its network of Xtream Wi-Fi hots spots to allow RIM students to connect to the school’s “ROCKfi” network. Mediacom previously installed more than 70 Wi-Fi hot spots in public areas throughout the community, and now district students are granted free access to any location by using their “ROCKfi”  credentials. School administrators describe the initiative as a success. Evidence of its popularity has been the high volume of data transferred between student devices and the hot spots.

To manage the school-directed “ROCKfi” initiative, Mediacom adjusts students’ access to comply with school district policies and the academic calendar.  The free connections were put on ‘pause’ for June and July, with access scheduled to resume on August 2 when the 2021-22 school year begins. In addition to providing students with free Wi-Fi access, more than 200 student-families in the Rock Island-Milan school district connect to home broadband by subscribing to Mediacom’s discounted internet program Connect2Compete.

“Students were uplifted by the ability to get out and enjoy the city’s beautiful parks and public spaces. These are areas where our Xtream Wi-Fi hot spots are available, and it’s been wonderful to provide open access for local students,” said Mediacom Group Vice President Todd Curtis. “The technology team at Rock Island-Milan schools is innovative and focused on service, which is totally aligned with Mediacom’s vision.”

Photo L-R: Troy Bevans (Information Technology Director, RIMSD #41), Dr. Reginald Lawrence (Superintendent, RIMSD #41), James Friske (Director, Sales & Marketing, Mediacom), Beau Hicks (Director of Area Ops, Mediacom), and Todd Curtis (Group VP, Regional Ops, Mediacom).

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About Mediacom Communications

Mediacom Communications Corporation is the 5th largest cable operator in the United States and the leading gigabit broadband provider to smaller markets primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. Through its fiber-rich network, Mediacom offers high-speed data, video, phone, and mobile services to over 3 million households and businesses across 22 states. The company delivers scalable broadband solutions to commercial and public-sector customers of all sizes through Mediacom Business and sells advertising and production services under the OnMedia brand. More information about Mediacom is available at mediacomcable.com.