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Thousands of Australian families could get free internet at home through a little-known federal government program.
The School Student Broadband Initiative has been running or a year and has more than 20,000 places still available.
There is no income cap and households only need to have a school student at home, NBN access and no internet connection for the last 14 days in order to qualify.
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The initiative is a boost for people like Lani juggling rising bills amidst a cost-of-living crisis.
"Without the internet, they'll be lost," she told 9News.
It comes as consultations kick-off between the telecommunications companies and NBN Co in a bid to supercharge internet speeds by up to five times for more than 9 million users.
"The telcos have to commit money and build bigger networks," tech expert Trevor Long said.
"I expect a small increase in price but not a big one."
