As millions of students and teachers head back to school this fall, they’re stocking up on the usual essentials: notebooks, pencils, folders, and backpacks. But there is another classroom necessity not on the supply list that plays an even more important role in modern learning: Wi-Fi.

With the growing use of advanced technologies in classrooms, Wi-Fi is a part of the curriculum itself. Students today rely on digital tools for everything from interactive lessons and collaboration to note-taking, research, and standardized testing. For teachers, reliable Wi-Fi is paramount to their everyday tasks, from using smartboards, to checking attendance and grading papers. The modern classroom runs on connectivity.

That shift is happening at the same time schools are supporting more connected devices than ever before, with 96% of public schools using digital devices. Students, teachers, administrators, and educational technologies all depend on reliable Wi-Fi networks throughout the school day. Even when students get home to complete their homework assignments, they’re logging on to their computers and connecting to Wi-Fi.

The next generation of Wi‑Fi technology, including Wi‑Fi 6 and Wi‑Fi 7, is helping meet these growing demands by supporting more devices, faster speeds, and more data-intensive applications.  The need for strong Wi‑Fi networks will only continue to grow as classrooms become more connected and more dependent on digital tools to submit homework, communicate with teachers, access tutoring and library resources, participate in virtual learning opportunities, and explore career and college planning tools.

This back-to-school season is a reminder that Wi‑Fi is no longer just a convenience. It is critical infrastructure for modern education, helping ensure students and teachers have the tools they need to succeed. As demand for Wi-Fi continues to grow, ensuring it has the unlicensed spectrum it needs will be critical for millions of Americans, especially our students.