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This quick guide to getting online in L.A. County is from the LAist newsroom at Southern California Public Radio. We are SoCal’s largest NPR station.

NEED HELP GETTING ONLINE?

Many essential things today have moved online, from government services to shopping. But what happens if you don’t have the internet at home? Maybe it’s slow and expensive? Or you don’t know what to do once you’re on?

If you’ve encountered hurdles like these, you’re not alone. Across Southern California, 3.5 million residents don’t have access to reliable internet at home.

To help you, LAist has put together a bunch of different resources to get you online.

Free internet access:

  • L.A. County libraries: free Wi-Fi at all libraries.
  • City of L.A. libraries: free Wi-Fi at all libraries.
  • City of L.A. locations: (Look for Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi)
  • Pershing Square
  • Griffith Observatory
  • Echo Park Lake
  • Reseda Park
  • Venice Beach
  • Cabrillo Beach

Low-cost internet access:

Human-I-T

  • Low-cost internet plans starting at $14.99 per month
  • Affordable mobile hot spot option 

More info: (888) 268-3921 or vis3it the website.

Coming soon:

Affordable high-speed broadband service under construction in South L.A., East L.A. and Boyle Heights

  • Plans will be as low as $25 per month for unlimited data and no contract 

More info:
East L.A./Boyle Heights, visit the website.
South L.A., go to this site.

Low-cost laptops:

Human-I-T

  • Basic Chrome laptops as low as $129
  • Refurbished Apple laptops as low as $799.99
  • Refurbished Windows laptops as low as $259.99

More info: (888) 268-3921 or visit the website.

L.A. County libraries:

  • All 85 branches offer laptop loans
  • Some for two-hour use on-site, some to take home for up to six weeks
  • Mobile hotspots also are available

More info: Ask at your local branch. You can also visit this website for laptop info, and this website for more tech resources.

For more support, reach out to your local county library. Find your nearest location here.

L.A. City libraries:

  • 25 branches offer the Tech2go program
  • Mobile hotspot, Chromebook and mouse available to borrow for up to six months 

More info: Ask at your local branch or go to https://www.lapl.org/tech2go.

Digital training:

Free digital skills training: Learn Basic Tech

  • Free beginner digital skills training for computers, smartphones, email and more
  • Free advanced digital skills training for AI and Excel, among others 
  • Courses are online and in person

More info, email info@learnbasictech.org or visit the website.

Free digital skills training and after-school classes for children and youth: Bell Tech Center

  • Southeast Community Development Corporation (SCDC), 4357 E. Gage Ave., Bell

More info: (323) 585 4579 or visit the website.

Free digital skills training in English and Spanish: Human-I-T

  • Free bilingual one-on-one tech support: 

More info: (888) 268-3921 or visit the website in English and Spanish.

Free digital skills classes for seniors: Bridge the Digital Divide

Skills training, devices and other resources: EveryoneOn