CASE STUDY
Connecting Students to Education Opportunities in Rural Communities
Problem
Ohio Hi-Point Career Center (OHP) serves thousands of students across five rural counties, preparing them for careers in multimedia, engineering, healthcare, and more.
But while their classrooms offered cutting-edge
education, too many students faced a fundamental roadblock: a lack of reliable, high-speed internet at home. Without connectivity, students struggled to complete assignments, access online learning tools, and engage in coursework beyond the classroom. Traditional broadband options were either unavailable, unaffordable, or unreliable—
leaving students disconnected from critical learning opportunities.
Solution
Mission Telecom stepped in with a
customized, affordable, and unlimited connectivity solution. Unlike rigid, high-cost connectivity plans, Mission Telecom offered OHP a way for their students to connect to the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. With easy deployment, seamless device management, and high-speed, unlimited broadband, OHP and Mission Telcom
ensured that every student—no matter where they lived—had the internet access they needed
to succeed.
Ohio Hi-Point Career Center (OHP) serves approximately 5,000 students across five counties in Ohio, including 700 students on its main campus and around 4,300 students in partner school districts. With 60 satellite programs, the center provides career and technical education, equipping students with hands-on learning experiences in fields such as multimedia and 3D simulation. However, connectivity challenges in rural areas created barriers to student learning and recruitment efforts.
“Broadband coverage varies drastically from one county to the next,” says John Case, CETL, director of technology at OHP. “It could be a small business with a Wi-Fi antenna on top of a grain bin or fiber that’s unaffordable.”
OHP started providing hotspots for students to complete their schoolwork at home and collaborate outside their campus. At the time, Case says the only options were Verizon and AT&T. Although the hotspots provided connectivity, the plans were ridged and required OHP to buy more hotspots than it needed, so Case started looking for a provider that
would be a better fit.
Quick Facts
Reliable Coverage
Mission Telecom’s 5G hotspots support 20-30 devices per unit, reducing hardware costs and simplifying classroom connectivity.
Fast & Seamless Onboarding
OHP transitioned to Mission Telecom service without disruptions by swapping existing SIM cards—no complex provisioning required.
Affordable and Transparent Pricing
Unlike larger telecom providers, there are no hidden fees or unnecessary costs— just straightforward, affordable service.
Custom Solutions
Mission Telcom designed a tailored connectivity plan that addressed OHP’s unique rural broadband challenges.
True Partnership
Mission Telecom’s team provides responsive, proactive support—taking admin work off OHP’s plate and ensuring smooth operations.
A Strong Start
John Case first connected with Mission Telecom at the annual EdTech Leaders Alliance (ETLA). He was drawn in by the company’s understanding of rural broadband challenges and tailored solutions. After learning more about their customer care approach and affordable payment options, Case decided to participate in a Friendly User Trial, which gave him 3 months of free internet connectivity to prove that the service was reliable and fast, even in rural parts of the communities OHP serves.
During the trial period, Case and his team tested Mission Telecom’s hotspots in various scenarios, including student use at home and recruiting events requiring connectivity for zSpace 3D simulation labs. “Mission Telecom’s hotspots support 20 or 30 devices, so I can send one hotspot with a laptop cart instead of five different hotspots with different SSIDs,” says Case.
After successful pilot testing, OHP officially partnered with Mission Telecom to provide high- quality, reliable connectivity for its students and staff.
A Winning Partnership
Switching to Mission Telecom was remarkably simple through their Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) option. “I just plugged my current SIM cards into the hotspots, and they worked,” says Case. The ability to repurpose existing hardware by swapping SIM cards saved time and money. Unlike former providers that required complex provisioning, Mission Telecom streamlined the onboarding process, minimizing disruptions and administrative burdens.
“We’ve had no complaints from users, and the hotspots provide consistent coverage,” says Case. Case was initially concerned about tracking the hotspots, but Mission Telecom’s customer service team quickly came up with a system to simplify device management. Their proactive support ensured that Case felt confident in overseeing the deployment. “It’s so convenient that Mission Telecom takes things off my plate, like shutting down a hotspot if a student moves away without returning it.”
Thanks to Mission Telecom’s cost-effective and reliable services, OHP has expanded its hotspot program so that more students have internet connectivity than ever before.
Relationships
are Everything
Mission Telecom provides personalized, responsive service that puts the needs of partners first. “My Mission Telecom contacts are very proactive in their communication. They don’t bother me unnecessarily, but they are always available when I need them,” says Case. Mission Telecom’s hands-on approach and customer-first mindset have made the company an invaluable partner for OHP. Their ability to simplify processes, deliver reliable service, and offer cost-effective solutions has impacted student connectivity and the school’s technology initiatives.
Looking ahead, Case plans to transition fully to Mission Telecom, which will provide an even more seamless and efficient connectivity experience for their students.
