Best Internet Providers in Oakland, CA

Oakland Internet Resources for Low-Income Families

When finances stand in the way of essential services, access to the internet or internet-enabled devices becomes just one more hurdle to overcome in addition to basic needs like electricity, water, or gas. Countless low-income Oakland residents struggle to keep connected online and connected to valuable resources. To help, we gathered a list of resources available to Oakland families living on a strict budget:

Discounted Distance Learning Devices in Oakland

• Tech Exchange: Tech Exchange offers a variety of services to disadvantaged community members in Oakland. Along with training and internet access assistance, Tech Exchange refurbishes computers and provides them at steeply discounted rates to qualifying individuals along with training and internet access. Visit the Tech Exchange Refurbished Computers page to see what documents you’ll need to prove you qualify for a refurbished computer. 
• RRR Computer: RRR Computer is a San Francisco Bay Area non-profit organization focused on refurbishing donated computers and getting them into the hands of local students who will use them throughout their learning journey. If your child attends an after-school program, the teacher or instructor in charge may fill out an after-school program application for each of the program’s children to receive a computer. Alternatively, you can purchase one of RRR Computer’s refurbished devices at steeply discounted prices for low-income individuals. Take a look at the refurbished computers price sheet and email RRR Computer at eSale@RRRcomputer.org to begin the purchase program. 
• EWasteCollective: The ewasteCollective is a digital device redistributor that gives refurbished computers to low-income individuals in Oakland. To apply for a free computer, follow the steps listed on ewasteCollective’s Free Computer page. Current waitlists mean a one to three-month wait for most applicants. 

If you’re interested in purchasing a refurbished computer now, here are three of the many quality computer refurbisher retail businesses in Oakland and the surrounding San Francisco Bay area: 

• Used Computer Store
• East Bay Computer Center
• Oakland Computer Service

Remote Learning Programs and Virtual Child Care Centers in Oakland

• Sahaja Yoga Meditation: Sahaja Yoga Meditation offers a free four-week online meditation class for children and parents. These sessions run Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. You can register at the Sahaja Yoga Meditation site or view past meditation recordings on the Sahaja Yoga Meditation YouTube Channel.
• Code Ninjas North San Jose: If your child has displayed an interest in anything coding, you can have them participate in a free online coding session to get a better feel for this technological art medium. Visit the Code Ninjas North San Jose Eventbrite page to register for a free upcoming coding session.
• Oakland Public Library: On the Kids Fun & Games page, the Oakland Public Library provides links to fun educational and creative games and activities for children ages 2 to 10. Your kids can also find digital reading resources to keep reading when going to the physical library to check out a book isn’t an option. 
• NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Spitzer Space Telescope: At home, children can follow the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope on its data-gathering journey and view all of the incredible images it has captured along the way. Who knows, this venture may be the liftoff stage on their journey to space.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: The Monterey Bay Aquarium hosts a series of live camera sessions of various exhibits you can access during most of the day from home. Children can explore penguins, coral reefs, sea otters, and much more without leaving the house.

Free Wireless Internet Access in Oakland

• Wi-FiMap.io Oakland Free Wi-Fi Map
• Local Wiki Oakland Free Wi-Fi Directory
• Instabridge Oakland Free Wi-Fi Directory

The City of Oakland is implementing its city-wide Wi-Fi project called OAK WiFi. You can use their Wi-Fi Implementation Map to see what Wi-Fi spots are currently active and what locations are coming online in the future. When logging on to these hotspots, look for the OAK-WIFI network. The Oakland Public Library offers Wi-Fi Hotspot lending for up to 21 days at a time. Check a hotspot out at any branch location with your library card. All branch locations offer free Wi-Fi access to whoever needs it: 

• Main Library — 125 14th St.
• Asian Branch — 388 9th St.
• Cesar E. Chavez Branch — 3301 East 12th St.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Branch — 6833 International Blvd.
• Piedmont Avenue Branch — 80 Echo Ave.

For more Wi-Fi spots in Oakland, use our free public Wi-Fi finder map below. Each pin indicates the location and type of establishment offering free internet in Oakland:

Free Wireless Internet Access in Oakland, CA

1601 Clay St

Oakland, CA 94612

3500 Mountain Blvd

Oakland, CA 94619

7901 Oakport Street

Oakland, CA 94621

900 Fallon Sreet

Oakland, CA 94607

401 15th Street

Oakland, CA 94612

12500 Campus Dr

Oakland, CA 94619

5000 Macarthur Blvd

Oakland, CA 94613

333 E Eighth St

Oakland, CA 94606

3100 Telegraph Avenue

Oakland, CA 94609

735 - 105th Ave

Oakland, CA 94603