E2D to provide free eero routers to families in North Carolina, during Digital Inclusion Week

The devices will bring faster, more reliable internet to homes.

Charlotte, NC. (October 8, 2024) – E2D invites Charlotte area families and individuals to join its staff at the Nest, located at 400 Camp Road, on Tuesday, October 8 for a special giveaway event.

The nonprofit will be providing free routers from eero (an Amazon company) to attendees on a first-come, first served basis between 4pm and 7pm.

“This event coincides with Digital Inclusion Week—a time for us to raise awareness about those who are being left out of a digital world,” said Pat Millen, Co-Founder and President of E2D. “We’re excited to be able to provide these devices to households that need a boost in their technology so they can take part in the advantages the internet provides, whether it’s working from home, attending online classes, using telehealth, or just enjoying digital entertainment. Several eero devices will assist those who need a connection to apply for local, state, and national disaster funding in Western North Carolina. E2D is all about impact, and we are grateful to have partners who share in that.”

E2D’s mission is to provide affordable access to essential at-home technology and digital skills for all North Carolina families. The local nonprofit is one of only three organizations chosen from across the country to take part in the eero program device distributions.

Connected Nation (CN)—a national nonprofit working to close the Digital Divide—is leading the program. CN is partnering with E2D, Human-I-T, and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance to distribute 5,000 eero mesh Wi-Fi devices to households, families, and individuals who are in need of a faster, more reliable connection.

“By donating these devices, eero is taking action to help some of our nation’s most vulnerable communities and households,” said Heather Gate, Executive Vice President, CN. “We are now working together to get eeros into the hands of those who need them the most. eero can help improve wireless connectivity for under-connected individuals and families.”

Along with the event in Charlotte, E2D is also bringing several eero devices as well as a truck full of laptops to Western North Carolina to help the victims affected by Hurricane Helene.

Program overview:

● Up to 5,000 eero devices will be distributed to homes across the country.

● Devices are donated and shipped by partner organizations (listed below)

● eero Pro will be the type of device donated.

● Program is overseen by Connected Nation and the 4 partner organizations will be distributing the devices.

o NDIA

o E2D

o Human-I-T

● We are estimating that over 5,000 people will be impacted by the program.

● Devices will be distributed to the following communities:

o Low-income families

o Students

o Rural Households

o Tribal Organizations

For more information about this program, head to connectednation.org/eero.

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About E2D: E2D’s mission is to provide affordable access to essential at-home technology and digital skills for all North Carolina families. Our goals are to support academic success for students, preparing them for college, careers, and beyond as well as contribute to job creation and retention for adult members of households.

About eero: eero was founded to make wifi and networking the way they should be—fast, reliable, secure, and built for the future. After introducing the first home mesh wifi system, eero is known for award-winning hardware and software and continues to create connectivity solutions for individuals, businesses, communities, and service providers. Founded and headquartered in San Francisco in 2014, eero is an Amazon company. For more information, visit eero.com.

About Connected Nation: Connected Naton is a national nonprofit founded in 2001 with a mission to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.