Verizon Nixes Deal With School WiFi Program OmniLynx

In an unfortunate turn of events, those who receive affordable Internet access through OmniLynx, a Huntsville, Alabama school system effort to provide low-cost WiFi in partnership Verizon, will have their service cut off on November 30. Why? Despite the program having only operated since this past January, Verizon has cancelled the partnership, citing some violation of the terms of agreement.

News of the terminated partnership first arose from local news agency WHNT-TV, which posted a copy of the letter subscribers received. It reads, in part:

Dear Subscriber:

We regret to inform you that your wireless service will terminate effective November 30, 2015 (the "Termination Date"). This termination of service and any resulting inconvenience has resulted from the service provider, Verizon Wireless ("Verizon") and its decision to discontinue its support of the program. Needless to say, this circumstance is unfortunate and we are disappointed by Verizon's decision – particularly in light of the fact that Verizon publicly endorsed and applauded the Omnilynx program less than one year ago.

Verizon was vague in its statement to WHNT-TV, saying that it "has and will continue to discuss" the issue with the school district.

According to Superintendent Dr. Casey Wardnyski in a statement to AL.com, Verizon informed the school system that it went "beyond the terms of the agreement." Says Wardnyski, the intention had always been to expand the service to other schools across the nation, with Huntsville being the testing ground. "Verizon had the capability to limit the service area," he said. He also called the decision "short-sighted."

Through OmniLynx, users were given a Verizon LTE hotspot and unlimited data for $47.75 per month, sans contract.

SOURCE: Consumerist