Sprint made some big announcements for the Milwaukee area this week. 

The mobile phone provider plans to add 38 Sprint and Boost Mobile stores in Milwaukee-area and adding 200 new jobs by the end of 2018. Milwaukee residents interested in applying for open positions should visit www.sprint.com/jobs.

Also, 2,800 Milwaukee Public Schools students will receive either a free smartphone, hotspot or tablet, and free high-speed wireless internet connectivity in an effort to help close the “Homework Gap.” Each student will receive 3GB of high-speed LTE data per month for up to four years while they are in high school. Unlimited data is available at 2G speeds if usage exceeds 3GB in a month. Those who receive a smartphone can use it as a hotspot.

"I’m truly grateful for Sprint’s incredible commitment to Milwaukee," Mayor Tom Barrett said. "With this exciting expansion and economic growth in our City, Sprint is providing Milwaukeeans with family-supporting jobs while enhancing the educational experience for the workforce of tomorrow. Thank you, Sprint for your positive corporate partnership."

The participating MPS high schools are:

Alliance School
Audubon High School
Bay View High School
Bradley Tech
Groppi High School
Hamilton High School
MacDowell Montessori
Madison Academic High School
Marshall High School
Meir School
Milwaukee High School of Arts
Milwaukee School of Languages
North High School
Obama School of Career & Tech Ed
Project Stay H High School
Pulaski High School
Reagan High School
Riverside University High School
Rufus King High School
South Division High School
Transition High School
Vincent High School
Washington High School
Webster
Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning

MPS will join hundreds of high schools for the nationwide rollout beginning this fall. Over the course of the next five years, one million high school students will join the program and receive a wireless device and service for up to four years in high school.

“Milwaukee Public Schools is thrilled to be a part of the Sprint 1Million Project,” said Dr. Darienne Driver, MPS Superintendent. “This program provides our students with the opportunity to learn anywhere and at any time, closing the digital divide with access to the internet and software helps students to achieve, inside and out of the classroom. Possibilities are broadened for students who may not have had access to technology, which is essential in a 21st Century learning community.”