New program seeking to bring increased connectivity to North Carolina School districts. UPDATE The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) has launched a new wireless infrastructure program with its exclusive provider Diamond Communications, aiming to enhance cellular connectivity for North Carolina public schools and the local communities. Diamond recently completed a similar agreement with the Florida School Boards Association having already established relationships with school board associations in Texas, Pennsylvania and Nebraska. "Recognizing the growing need for reliable connectivity in North Carolina, we are very excited to launch our new program, ConnectED. As North Carolina's population continues to grow, the increasing demand on cellular networks can create connectivity challenges for schools and their surrounding communities, especially during emergencies," said NCSBA Executive Director Leanne Winner. "Placing wireless infrastructure on school properties can help to strengthen network coverage and provide more reliable service where it is needed most while generating revenue for the school," said Winner. Diamond and the ConnectED program will help to identify carrier coverage gaps, market school properties, and develop sites for wireless infrastructure on district-owned land, all at no cost to the school districts. School districts will have the benefit of improved connectivity and the potential of generating revenue for their schools. "We are looking forward to working with NCSBA to help North Carolina's school districts improve wireless connectivity" said Peter Woodbury, President of Strategic Partnerships at Diamond Communications "ConnectED will support student learning, enhance safety for the districts and provide the districts and neighboring communities access to more reliable communication. Through this partnership, Diamond and NCSBA will educate schools on program options and benefits while offering carriers a more direct path to expanding connectivity." Data shows that approximately 64 percent of school districts in North Carolina have at least one major carrier with unreliable coverage. Across North Carolina, school districts are placing greater emphasis on reliable cellular connectivity to support daily campus operations and emergency response needs. Strong connectivity, according to studies, helps ensure smooth, uninterrupted communication among staff, students, and families. As coverage quality is often shaped by the location and capacity of nearby infrastructure, partnering with an experienced wireless infrastructure provider to market district properties to multiple carriers may help schools strengthen connectivity throughout the campus and surrounding communities.

Florida School districts partner with Diamond Communications on ConnectFL. The Florida School Boards Association, Inc. (FSBA) announced Monday it is partnering with Diamond Communications, headquartered in Delray Beach, FL, to introduce a new initiative aimed at expanding and improving cellular connectivity across Florida's school districts. The program, known as ConnectFL, is designed to enhance wireless coverage on school campuses while creating new revenue opportunities for participating districts. "As districts continue to grow and rely more heavily on digital tools, strong and reliable connectivity is a necessity," said Andrea Messina, Chief Executive Officer of Florida School Boards Association. "Most importantly, strong connectivity is critical for safety and security purposes and to support our districts' increased reliance on digital tools. We are excited to bring ConnectFL to our member districts and support the technological needs of growing communities." Florida's population growth has led to connectivity challenges for schools and surrounding communities. Data shows that approximately 60% of school districts in Florida have at least one major carrier with unreliable coverage. Reliable cellular service is essential not only for day-to-day operations but also for emergency response, enabling consistent communication between school staff, students, families, and first responders. To help address these challenges, FSBA and Diamond Communications developed ConnectFL, an initiative designed to improve wireless coverage on school campuses while creating new revenue opportunities for participating districts. "We are thrilled to be working with FSBA," said Ed Farscht, CEO at Diamond Communications. "Connectivity in and around schools has never been more important for educational and safety reasons, and we are excited to work with school districts to improve wireless coverage. This program will offer a streamlined approach to identify, market, and develop sites for wireless infrastructure. Working together, we will accelerate the process from start to finish, benefiting school districts and increasing certainty for wireless carriers." ConnectFL reflects a shared commitment by FSBA and Diamond Communications to support Florida school districts as they plan for future growth and evolving communications needs. By bringing together industry expertise and trusted educational leadership, the program helps districts evaluate opportunities for strategic wireless infrastructure investments that can create lasting benefits for students, educators, and communities across Florida.