Internet Connectivity Options

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CSM Wi-Fi Connection Information

Wi-Fi is available at campus locations while campuses are open.

Network: CSM-Wifi
Password: wireless@CSM

Internet Connectivity Options for Southern Maryland

Updated 5/13/2021

In response to COVID-19, some Internet providers are offering free services to those in need. Below is a list of options available in Southern Maryland:

The Tri-County Area Libraries will be providing 24/7 Wifi access within the public library parking lots:

  • Calvert County https://calvertlibrary.info/
    • Prince Frederick Branch 850 Costle Way, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
    • Fairview Branch 8120 Southern Maryland Blvd, Owings, MD 20736
    • Southern Branch 13920 HG Trueman Rd, Solomons, MD 20688
    • Twin Beaches Branch 3819 Harbor Road, Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732
    • Now offering Mobile Hot Spot Checkouts. For more information and to check one out: https://calvertlibrary.info/using-the-library/services/mobile-hot-spots/
  • Charles County   https://www.ccplonline.org/
    • La Plata Branch 2 Garrett Ave, La Plata, MD 20646
    • P.D. Brown Memorial Branch 50 Village St., Waldorf, MD 20602
    • Potomac Branch 3225 Ruth B. Swann Dr., Indian Head, 20640
    • Waldorf West Branch 10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf, MD 20603
    • *Charles County Public Schools are also providing hotspots in the school parking lots.
  • St. Mary’s County  https://www.stmalib.org/ 
    • Charlotte Hall Library 37600 New Market Road, Charlotte Hall, MD
    • Leonardtown Library 23250 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD
    • Lexington Park Library 21677 FDR Blvd, Lexington Park, MD
    • The St. Mary’s County Library Library buildings are open by appointment for computer, copier, and fax use only. The shelves are closed to browsing. To make a computer/copier/fax appointment, call your Library.  Appointments for curbside pickup of holds are available. See the latest updates.

Government Assistance:

  • Lifeline is a government program backed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It provides a monthly phone or internet service discount for low-income households. At the time of writing, Lifeline benefits give eligible subscribers a discount of at least $9.25 per month off landline phone service, wireless phone service, broadband, or bundled services. Internet service providers in Southern Maryland: Xfinity, Verizon, and Atlantic Broadband.
  • Some families and communities can qualify for free or price-reduced internet through government and social programs like Lifeline and EveryoneOn, but for those who don’t qualify and still want to save money, it can be difficult to find low-cost internet options.
  • NEW! The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more. Learn more at www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit.

    • The temporary benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

    • The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households. The program also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.

    • A household is eligible if one member of the home meets at least one of the criteria below:
      • Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
      • Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
      • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
      • Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
      • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
    • Emergency Broadband Benefit enrollment opens May 12, 2021.

    • For more information on the application process in St. Mary’s County, go to the Atlantic Broadband website at https://atlanticbb.com/ebb  or Comcast’s Emergency Broadband Benefits Program page https://tinyurl.com/33un85ta. Eligible households can also enroll directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application.

  • If you need only bare bones internet, there are a few internet providers who offer limited free internet service:
    • NetZero offers customers up to 10 hours of free dial-up internet use every month. The connection requires a home phone line, and it’s limited to data speeds of around 56 Kbps (about half of 1 Mbps). It’s not a fast-enough connection for online gaming or streaming video content, but it’ll do for basic messaging, email, and web browsing if you’re patient.
    • FreedomPop also has a few options for free internet service. The company offers both free mobile phone service and free home internet service via 4G LTE connections. The high-speed internet claims to be faster than DSL (and definitely faster than dial-up), but you’re limited to 1 GB of data per month.
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Mobile Services

A list of mobile providers and their response to COVID-19:

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