Many local cafes and businesses have been forced to close due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At this time, classes are held digitally which can lead to some students unable to participate due to lack of technological resources.
Internet access is the main resource, and there are companies such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Spectrum and Comcast Xfinity who are willing to participate and step up to provide for those who are in need throughout these difficult times.
The participating companies are expanding coverage and providing free internet access such as wi-fi and hotspots to help ease student’s worries during the pandemic.
These companies and many others took the “Keep Americans Connected Pledge” by the FCC that states that in the next 60 days they will:
“(1) not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic;
(2) waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic;
(3) open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.”
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-363033A1.pdf
AT&T:
-Will not (in the next 60 days) terminate any of its consumers due to the inability to provide payment for their service.
-Provide public hotspots open for anyone who needs it.
-Offering unlimited data or internet access for limited income households for $10 a month.
-Wave late payment fees.
T-Mobile:
-All consumers who have data plans including Metro by T-Mobile will have unlimited data.
-Are working with Lifeline partners to provide an extra 5GB free data per month for the next two months.
-Increase data allowance for schools and students which leads to at least 20GB of data for each participant.
Sprint:
-Wave late fees
-Customers with international data plans will have complimentary international calling rates from the U.S to countries with a CDC level 3 status.
-Metered data plans will have unlimited data with no extra cost for the next 60 days.
-Will not terminate any consumer that is unable to make payments.
Charter Spectrum Free WiFi:
-Free internet access for households with K-12 or college that are not subscribed to Spectrum broadband. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395, installation fees will be waived for new students.
-Free WiFi hotspots.
Comcast Xfinity:
-Open Hotspots to everyone including non-subscribers by using hotspot map https://wifi.xfinity.com and the “xfinitywifi” network to access any browser.
-Paused data plans for the next 60 days and providing unlimited data with no additional cost.
-Waives late disconnects and late fees for customers that gives notice to the company that payments will not be met.
-Broadband adoption program is free for new customers.
For more information, visit the fcc.gov website to learn more.
