Many communications companies, including Comcast, Sprint, AT&T, and T Mobile, have signed on to the “Keep Americans Connected Pledge” at the request of FCC chairman Ajit Pai, due to the viral pandemic outbreak and we’re here to give you the deets.
While the world is currently in limbo, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has forged a commitment with many of the broadband service providers, according to Business Insider.
On Thursday, March 12, Pai spoke with providers and asked them to grant the following for the next 60 days:
- Not terminate services, due to their inability to pay their bills, due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic
- “Waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers receive because of the pandemic
- Open it’s WiFi hotspots to any American who is in need.
Some companies even took it a step further to ensure their customers and even new customers have the most ease, during this viral pandemic.
According to its website, Sprint is also providing the below:
- Starting on Tuesday, customers with international long distance calling plans will receive complimentary international calling rates from the U.S. to countries defined by the CDC as Level 3.
- By next Thursday:
- Customers with metered data plans will receive unlimited data per month for 60 days (a minimum of two bill cycles) at no extra cost.
- We will provide customers with an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot data per month for 60 days (a minimum of two bill cycles) at no extra cost.
- Coming soon:
- Customers with mobile hotspot-capable handsets who don’t have mobile hotspot today will now get 20GB as well per month for 60 days (a minimum of two bill cycles) at no extra cost.
T Mobile is also helping its customers to have a great user experience, during this time of transition.
The company tweeted:
“We‘ll get through this together! Here’s how we’re helping:
Removing smartphone data caps for all customers
Giving 20GB of additional mobile hotspot data
Increasing data for schools in our EmpowerED program
Making it free to call severely impacted countries”
According to the company website, Comcast is offering their $9.95 low-income package for free and increasing internet speeds.
- We will make it even easier for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign up by offering new customers 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month.
- Also, we are increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers, which will be the speed of the service going forward. In this way, we will ensure that Internet Essentials customers will be able to use their Internet service for all their increased needs as a result of this health crisis.
All new customers will receive a free self install kit and a modem as well.
AT&T is also extending their efforts and will do the following, according to their website:
- Unlimited AT&T Home Internet – All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet, can use unlimited internet data. Additionally, we’ll continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through our Access from AT&T program.
- Helping You Work and Learn Remotely – Businesses, universities and schools can keep their teams and classrooms connected through conference calls and video conferencing with Cisco Webex Meetings with AT&T for 90-days, and seamlessly forward calls to both mobile and landline phones with AT&T IP Flexible Reach.
- Distance Learning – AT&T is underwriting expenses for a “one-stop” resource center to support eLearning Days from the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) available to all educators in schools to help them handle school closures and the increase in virtual learning due to COVID-19.
Verizon is also giving its customers grace. The company announced on their website that they are also keeping customers connected and waiving late fees.
“During this unprecedented period challenging the world’s health and economy, Verizon announced today, for the next 60 days, it will waive late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus. In addition, the company will not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because”
We all have
enough to worry ‘bout, at this time, as it relates to his viral pandemic. Thankfully losing access to Al Gore’s innanet won’t be one.
*This story was updated to include Verizon.
Source: https://www.multichannel.com/news/pai-broadband-companies-take-covid-19-connectivity-pledge
