MCLEAN, Va. — Kajeet, a supplier of mobile student internet connectivity, has partnered with Cradlepoint, a provider of cloud-based wireless networking solutions, to enhance its Wi-Fi service.
 
The Kajeet SmartBus filtered school bus Wi-Fi solution is now designed to connect more students at one time, provide stronger Wi-Fi performance speeds, and supply more bandwidth on multiple networks.

Improvements to SmartBus include updating the router from the Cradlepoint COR IBR1100 to the Cradlepoint COR IBR900, which is designed to deliver faster Wi-Fi, connect more devices, and offer the ability to choose two wireless carriers and switch between networks based on coverage needs. The Long Term Evolution (LTE) router also features Wave 2 standard Gigabit Wi-Fi, which can create a faster Wi-Fi experience. Students can work on homework, collaborate with peers, or use digital apps on the bus with faster, Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)-compliant education broadband.

“The new COR IBR900 offers the latest generation Wave 2 Gigabit Wi-Fi, which will provide students the fastest internet speed on the school bus as part of a mobile solution working to close the homework gap,” said Tony Puopolo, vice president of North America channel sales for Cradlepoint. “This compact, ruggedized router connects the school bus to 4G LTE networks, allowing for a seamless experience for students to access the online educational tools they need, despite sitting on a moving bus.”

The COR IBR900 router includes dual SIM support, allowing school districts to use and change between two separate wireless networks. If one network is stronger than another in certain areas of the district, the router can switch to the stronger network. With the additional carriers, school districts choose the carrier or carriers that provide the strongest coverage in their area with the complete Kajeet Education Broadband connectivity package.

Now partnering with four of the nation’s 4G LTE wireless networks, Kajeet has doubled its network partners and expanded its coverage. When surveyed, 80% of school administrators stated that coverage is a top need for school bus Wi-Fi, with 69% desiring high-connection speed. Kajeet responded by meeting and surpassing these requests from educators with the latest round of SmartBus improvements, according to the supplier.

Kajeet currently provides managed and filtered school bus Wi-Fi to over 70 districts across 31 states.