AT&T, Comcast and others improve internet access in response to COVID-19

guest · Mar 13, 2020

AT&T and Comcast improve internet access in response to COVID-19
They’re taking steps to help users working and learning from home
March 12, 2020
https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/12/comcast-att-broadband-coronavirus/

Comcast is increasing internet speeds for low-income users, and AT&T told Motherboard that it is suspending all broadband usage caps until further notice.

Comcast is focussing on its Internet Essentials program, which provides broadband to low-income Americans for $9.95 per month. Now, new, qualifying customers can sign up for 60 days at no cost, and Comcast is boosting broadband speeds for all Internet Essentials customers. Over the next few days, it will bump speeds from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps, and it will maintain those speeds going forward.

AT&T is taking a slightly different approach, removing usage caps. Until now, some customers have seen usage caps ranging from 150 GB to 1 terabyte per month, Motherboard explains.
It's unclear if those caps will come back when the pandemic settles down.
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Today, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel called on the FCC to take aggressive action in response to COVID-19. We don't know yet what that will look like, but if AT&T and Comcast are any indication, it could include a push to increase speeds and lift data caps.

As a result of the #coronavirus people across this country are going to be asked to move work and learning online. So NOW is a really good time for the FCC to take action to get our nation's broadband providers to lift data caps and remove overage fees. https://t.co/1qJV7whVsR
— Jessica Rosenworcel (@JRosenworcel) March 12, 2020
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Motherboard / VICE: AT&T Suspends Broadband Data Caps During Coronavirus Crisis
The Verge:
AT&T is suspending broadband data caps for home internet customers due to coronavirus
Comcast modestly raises slow internet speeds for low-income users because of coronavirus

guest · Mar 13, 2020

Coronavirus could force ISPs to abandon data caps forever
March 13, 2020
https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/12/coronavirus-could-force-isps-to-abandon-data-caps-forever/

Pressure from the global pandemic has broadband companies loosening the arbitrary restrictions on the connections users pay for — and this may be the beginning of the end for the data caps we’ve lived in fear of for decades. Here’s why.

ISPs, leery of repeating Verizon’s memorable gaffe of cutting off service during an emergency, are proposing a variety of user-friendly changes to their policies. Comcast is boosting the bandwidth [...]
Elsewhere in the world ISPs are taking similar actions, either voluntarily or at the request of the state. In India, for instance, ACT Fibernet has bumped everyone up to 300 Mbps for no cost.
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There are two simple truths at play here.
The first is that any company that sends its subscriber a $150 overage fee because they had to work from home for a month and ran over their data cap is going to be radioactive.
The second is that these caps are completely unnecessary, existing only as a way to squeeze more money from subscribers. Data caps just don’t matter any more.

Think about it: If the internet provider can even temporarily lift the data caps, then there is definitively enough capacity for the network to be used without those caps. If there’s enough capacity, then why did the caps exist in the first place?
Answer: Because they make money.

That may be changing with the coronavirus, because after this very public exception to them it will be obvious to everyone that there is no reason for the caps to exist — including the FCC.
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Of course, this is only speculation for now. But once someone like Commissioner Rosenworcel starts talking publicly about this sort of thing, it tends to only go forward, absent serious opposition by the opposing party or industry groups. When it comes to data caps, it’s hard for anyone to justify their continued existence, and the coronavirus situation will only make this more clear.
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guest · Mar 14, 2020

Comcast and T-Mobile upgrade everyone to unlimited data for next 60 days
Comcast also opens Wi-Fi hotspots to all and T-Mobile boosts mobile-hotspot data
March 14, 2020
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy...for-60-days-opens-wi-fi-hotspots-to-everyone/

Comcast announced late Friday that it is suspending enforcement of its data cap and overage fees for 60 days during the coronavirus pandemic.

"With so many people working and educating from home, we want our customers to access the Internet without thinking about data plans," Comcast's announcement said. "While the vast majority of our customers do not come close to using 1TB of data in a month, we are pausing our data plans for 60 days giving all customers unlimited data for no additional charge."
Comcast is also making its Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots free for anyone to use.

T-Mobile also issued an announcement late Friday, saying it will upgrade all current customers to "unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming)." This applies to any T-Mobile plan or Metro by T-Mobile prepaid plan that has a monthly data cap.
Additionally, T-Mobile said it is giving all customers "an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot/tethering service for the next 60 days." Sprint, which is being acquired by T-Mobile, is taking identical steps.
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To help low-income Americans, T-Mobile said it is "working with our Lifeline partners to provide customers extra free data up to 5GB of data per month over the next two months." Lifeline [...]

Comcast, T-Mobile, and Sprint were among dozens of ISPs that signed a pledge to the Federal Communications Commission to waive late fees and keep customers connected when they miss payments. The pledge does not include waiver of data caps, but some ISPs have done so anyway.
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guest · Mar 14, 2020

Charter Offers Free Broadband to Households With Students Amid Coronavirus Epidemic
March 13, 2020
https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/charter-free-broadband-coronavirus-students-1203533537/

Cable giant Charter Communications will provide free broadband for two months to households with students, as a number of U.S. schools are shutting down because of concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Starting next Monday (March 16), Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students — which do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription — at any service level up to 100 megabits per second.
The move follows Comcast’s announcement that it would extend free broadband to low-income families, also for a 60-day period, starting next week, and will boost speeds of the service tier (regularly $9.95 per month).

The company said it will waive installation fees for new student households. Charter said it will partner with school districts “to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely.” In addition, the operator will open its Wi-Fi hotspots across its footprint for public use, free of charge.
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guest · Mar 15, 2020

FCC gives T-Mobile extra spectrum to cope with demand during coronavirus
The temporary deal could help T-Mobile handle a surge in internet usage
March 15, 2020
https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/15/fcc-gives-t-mobile-extra-spectrum-to-cope-with-coronavirus/

T-Mobile pledged to keep people online during the coronavirus outbreak, and it's getting some help from the government to make that happen. The FCC is granting T-Mobile access to more 600MHz spectrum for the next 60 days to help it cope with customer demand for internet access while the pandemic continues.
The carrier had asked for the additional airwaves for remote work, education and health care, not to mention the basics of staying in touch while isolated.

Eight companies agreed to make some of their spectrum available, the FCC said, including Comcast and Dish. Help also came from the FCC's spectrum inventory.
Officials haven't mentioned other carriers receiving additional capacity, although it won't be surprising if others follow suit.
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guest · Mar 16, 2020

Here's What Telstra and Optus Are Offering During The Coronavirus Outbreak
March 16, 2020
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/03/telco-offers-coronavirus-outbreak-telstra-optus-vodafone/

Telstra offers extra data to all and unlimited calls to pensioners due to coronavirus
Telstra announced on March 16 its planning to give customers additional data as well as unlimited calls to pensioners from March 19 until April 30.

"The data, which will be provided automatically, will help facilitate videoconferencing; voice over Wi-Fi, and cloud connectivity, all important tools when working from home or in isolation."
Optus offers extra data amid coronavirus spread
Optus has said it will offer additional data to its customers during April 2020 in light of the coronavirus spread.
It hasn't outlined the full conditions but has said more information will be released on April 20 through the My Optus app.
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ZDNet: Telstra makes all home broadband plans unlimited in response to coronavirus

Mobile customers are set to receive an extra 25GB if they are postpaid, while prepaid customers that complete a recharge of over AU$40 will get 10GB of extra data. Telstra mobile customers will need to "apply for extra data" on the telco's 24×7 and My Telstra apps after Thursday. Customers will have until the end of the month to receive the extra mobile data.

For pensioners with a home phone plan, the telco is giving unlimited local, national, and 13/1300 calls, and calls to Australian mobiles until the end of April.
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guest · Mar 16, 2020

Coronavirus: Broadband firms say no issue with extra demand
UK broadband companies say they can cope with increased demand as many more people stay at home during the coronavirus crisis
March 16, 2020
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51870732

Internet service providers (ISPs) say they have contingency plans in place and that the network can deal with extra daytime demand.
Video calls and other work applications should have little impact.

The impact would vary between ISPs in different areas, he said - but most are set up to deal with a sudden surge.
'More than enough'
But Openreach, which runs much of the UK's infrastructure, said the existing network is already built to handle peak demand.
The sentiment is echoed by ISPs, whether they use Openreach's network or not.
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guest · Mar 16, 2020

(Update: Mint Mobile free unlimited data)
US carriers will forgive late payments and keep customers connected during coronavirus fallout
March 16, 2020
https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/03/16/covid-19-coronavirus-carriers-late-fees/

UPDATE 2: 2020/03/16 8:40AM PDT BY MANUEL VONAU
Mint Mobile free unlimited data
Mint Mobile has decided to give out free unlimited data for all current and new subscribers through April 14. To take advantage of the deal, you need to install the most recent version of Mint Mobile's app. Once you got that, head to Account, Buy more data, and choose the 3GB add-on. The checkout page will say that you have to pay $20, which will indeed be charged from your credit or bank card, but the expense will be refunded as soon as possible. Once you've used up these 3GB, you can repeat the process as often as you need to through April 14.

This option is also available on Mint's website, and you don't need to be an existing customer to take advantage of it — you can purchase a plan today and add the batches of unlimited data as you approach your limit. Keep in mind that once you've added a 3GB package, you'll need to use up 95% of it before you can add the next add-on.
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Mint Mobile: Service Update Free Unlimited Data for All Now Thru 4/14

These last few days have thrown the world into an unprecedented moment of uncertainty where reliable communication is of the utmost importance. As your communication provider, we feel it’s necessary to do something that could possibly help all of us navigate this tough time a little bit better.

Starting 3-15-20 through 4-14-20, Mint Mobile will be providing all current and new customers with FREE unlimited high-speed data add-ons.
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guest · Mar 18, 2020

FCC waives rules to boost broadband for hospitals, schools amid coronavirus crisis
March 18, 2020
https://www.cnet.com/news/fcc-waives-rules-to-help-hospitals-and-schools-respond-to-coronavirus/

The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday temporarily waived rules in its Rural Health Care and E-Rate programs to help promote better access to broadband for telehealth and distance learning during the coronavirus pandemic.

The agency announced that it has waived "gift rules" in these programs until Sept. 20, 2020. These rules prohibit hospitals in the Rural Health Care program or schools and libraries participating in the E-Rate program, which get subsidies, to accept or seek anything of value from a service provider participating in the program.
With the rules waived, service providers will be able to donate equipment like Wi-Fi hotspots or will be allowed to offer free service upgrades to hospitals, schools and libraries getting these subsidies.

This could allow broadband service providers to upgrade network capacity for free to local hospitals so that they're able to deliver telemedicine service, the FCC said. It would also allow companies to donate Wi-Fi hotspots that libraries and schools could distribute to students without broadband.
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Advocates and experts like FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, have been urging the FCC to take decisive action to help get more Americans connected to broadband during the crisis. Last week, Rosenworcel began urging her Republican colleagues to leverage its authority over the Universal Service Fund to release more funds to alleviate connectivity issues.
Rosenworcel called the FCC steps to waive the gift rules on the E-Rate and Rural Health Care programs a "smart step." But she said the FCC still needs a national plan to address the broader issue of connectivity.

Rosenworcel would also like the FCC to work directly with broadband companies to get Americans not connected to the internet online at little or cost. And she'd like to see all wireless and broadband carriers lift data caps and overage fees where they exist.
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guest · Mar 23, 2020

Verizon gives customers extra mobile data, drops broadband data caps
There are also initiatives to help low-income families stay online
March 23, 2020
https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/23/verizon-adds-15gb-full-speed-data/

More cellular carriers are taking steps to ensure people can stay online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Verizon (Engadget's parent company) is giving consumer and small business customers an extra 15GB of LTE data speeds per month on their plans, with no action required. This applies regardless of the device you're using, and whether your service is a regular subscription or prepaid.
It's not the completely unlimited access you might hope for, but it could help you stay online if you depend on your phone's data for work.

Fios and DSL users won't have data caps, Verizon added.
The provider is also offering some breaks for those facing a financial hit from the coronavirus outbreak. It's waiving overage charges and late fees, and will waive broadband and voice charges for existing Lifeline customers.

It's not necessarily difficult for Verizon to implement some of these moves. When many states are effectively on lockdown, there's likely to be less demand for mobile data in general. We'd add that other carriers have implemented their own measures, such as T-Mobile's new $15 5G plan and AT&T's expansion of its Access low-cost internet plan to more households.
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Verizon: Verizon helps eliminate worry for customers during time of great need

Reinforces pledge to Keep Americans Connected and goes further to protect most vulnerable

Will waive overage charges and late fees to support customers who may be financially affected by the COVID-19 crisis

Announces two months waived internet and voice service charges for current Lifeline customers and new affordable internet option for low-income households

Adds 15GB of high speed data for wireless consumer and small business customers to be automatically applied with no customer action necessary

Verizon provides first responders with priority and preemption abilities for voice and data

Consumer and small business Fios and DSL broadband internet plans have no data caps

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guest · Mar 25, 2020

Verizon and LAUSD Reach Deal to Provide Free Internet to Students Who Have None at Home
March 23, 2020
https://www.losfelizledger.com/veri...e-internet-to-students-who-have-none-at-home/

As remote learning has become the new normal, with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) closing all of its roughly 900 campuses last week, the school district and Verizon have reached a deal to aid students without home internet access–an essential component of virtual learning.

Terms of the $100 million emergency agreement agreement, announced today, were not disclosed.

“The digital divide is very real, as many as 100,000 of our students lack access to the internet at home,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said in a written statement. “We must find a way for all students to continue to learn while schools are closed and this partnership with Verizon will help to do that.”
LAUSD is the second largest school district in the nation, serving more than 700,000 students.
“Verizon is proud to partner with LAUSD to help bridge the digital divide and keep students connected to their teachers, schools and each other during this unprecedented time.”
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Verizon: Verizon to provide unlimited internet to LAUSD students without access

SAustn2 · Mar 25, 2020

Any word whether satellite internet providers will lift caps (Viasat or Hughesnet)?

guest · Mar 30, 2020

some info about Viasat and HughesNet:

Viasat to Participate in FCC's 'Keep Americans Connected' Initiative; Pledges to Keep Customers and Small Businesses Connected During Coronavirus Outbreak
March 16, 2020
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/viasat-participate-fccs-keep-americans-120000931.html

March 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, announced today its commitment to meet the FCC's "Keep Americans Connected" pledge. Viasat will work with its residential and small business customers to keep them connected, lessening potential health and economic impacts associated with the coronavirus.

In alignment with the FCC's request to all Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Viasat pledges for the next 60 days to: (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; and (3) open its Wi-Fi hotspots, in conjunction with partners, to any American who needs them.

Mark Dankberg, chairman and CEO of Viasat commented, "We understand this is an extremely unsettling time for many of our customers as the world confronts the threat of COVID-19. Our goal is to help provide internet continuity to all of our customers who count on us to stay connected— [...]"
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Ars Technica: We asked 10 ISPs if they'll waive caps as pandemic forces people to stay home (March 12, 2020)

[...] Viasat, which runs the Exede satellite Internet service, told Ars that "Viasat does not have hard data caps and we do not require our customers to purchase more data... We expect more customers will be online during the day—and they will have access to use the capacity, as available—without any additional fees."
But that's misleading because Viasat's "unlimited" plans provide a set amount of high-speed data, such as 40GB or 100GB a month, and reduce speeds after customers hit those thresholds if the network is congested [...]
"The number of current customers with the Buy More option is very small and at this time we are not planning any changes to that plan," Viasat said.

ISPs we are still waiting to hear back from include Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint, and HughesNet. We'll provide updates from carriers as we get them.
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More ISPs Boost Speeds, Drop Fees Amid Coronavirus Crisis (March 17, 2020)

[...] Carlsbad-based Viasat, a satellite Internet provider for homes and small businesses outside the reach of cable, also said it will adhere to the FCC's guidelines.
In addition, the company is evaluating the feasibility of eliminating or expanding monthly data caps.

"Our satellite and ground technology enable us to make network adjustments to meet dynamic traffic needs," said Tom Lookabaugh, corporate vice president of technology for Viasat. "We are working hard to access and forecast new usage and behavior models based on anticipated work-from-home and remote education needs, and then address network capacity and customer thresholds to meet network usage spikes and increased demand."
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HughesNet raised the "caps":

HughesNet service update: [...]
HughesNet @HughesNet Mar 20, 2020
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guest · Mar 30, 2020

UK internet providers will lift data caps during COVID-19 pandemic
You should also see more affordable mobile and wired internet plans
March 30, 2020
https://www.engadget.com/2020-03-29-uk-internet-providers-will-lift-data-caps.html

The UK is echoing others in lifting internet restrictions to keep people online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Major telecoms like BT/EE, Openreach and Virgin Media have struck an agreement that will remove "all" data caps on current landline broadband services.
Mobile and fixed providers also have to offer "generous" new packages to help people stay connected (particularly the vulnerable), such as data boosts at lower prices and free calls.

Telecoms will have to provide "alternative methods of communication" if the outbreak prevents repairs to landlines. They'll likewise have to ensure customers are "treated fairly" if they have a hard time paying their bills.
Not that there was necessarily much choice. Many of those still employed now have to work from home, and the internet is likely to be a key source of entertainment.
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GOV.UK: Government agrees measures with telecoms companies to support vulnerable consumers through COVID-19

A joint statement from the Government, Ofcom and the telecommunications industry

The UK’s major internet service and mobile providers, namely BT/EE, Openreach, Virgin Media, Sky, TalkTalk, O2, Vodafone, Three, Hyperoptic, Gigaclear, and KCOM have all agreed the following commitments, effective immediately:
• All providers have committed to working with customers who find it difficult to pay their bill as a result of Covid-19 to ensure that they are treated fairly and appropriately supported.
• All providers will remove all data allowance caps on all current fixed broadband services. [...]
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guest · Mar 30, 2020

FCC outlines $200 million COVID-19 telehealth plan
March 30, 2020
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/tech...-million-covid-19-telehealth-plan/ar-BB11Vwgi

Today, the FCC announced a few additional measures to help the US during the coronavirus pandemic. Chairman Ajit Pai shared plans for a $200 million COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which would equip healthcare providers with the broadband connectivity and devices they need to provide telehealth services.
The FCC also eased off its ongoing crackdown on cell phone subsidy abuse, saying that it won't de-enroll participants until at least May 29th.

The FCC also said that, during the pandemic, it won't kick users out of its Lifeline program, which provides monthly discounts on broadband and voice services to low-income customers.
The Pai-era FCC is notorious for cracking down on alleged Lifeline abuse.

"Our priority right now is keeping Americans connected to broadband and phone service when they need it most. These proactive measures will go a long way in minimizing the risk that a low-income consumer might lose service during the COVID-19 crisis," Pai said in a press release.
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US wireless carriers have already pledged to suspend cancellations during the COVID-19 outbreak, and AT&T, Comcast, Sprint and T-Mobile have taken additional steps to keep subscribers connected.
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guest · Mar 31, 2020

COVID-19: O2 lifts voice call limit for pay monthly customers
March 30, 2020
https://www.neowin.net/news/covid-19-o2-lifts-voice-call-limit-for-pay-monthly-customers

O2 has announced that pay monthly customers will be able to make unlimited voice calls now that it has lifted the cap. If you’re on PAYG, the announcement does not include you, to benefit you must be paying monthly on a contract. The company says it’s looking at a range of options to help people stay connected as the government tells people to remain at home.

Commenting on the announcement, Mark Evans, CEO Telefonica UK (O2) said:

“I’m delighted to see the industry and government working together to help the UK at this critical time. At O2 we have long-established policies in place to support our customers, and right now, digital connectivity is more important than ever as we connect our customers to vital services and their loved ones.”
According to the firm, the cap will be lifted “from the end of next week”. The unlimited voice minutes will also be restricted to domestic calls.
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Mobile carriers in the country have been trying to make life a little bit easier for people. Last week, Vodafone announced that it would be offering Pay Monthly customers 30-days of free access to unlimited mobile data but restricted this to the first 500,000 customers to take advantage of the deal.
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O2: O2 lifts the limit on voice calls so pay monthly consumer customers can stay connected

hawki · Apr 1, 2020

"Comcast CEO Brian Roberts pledges $500 million for employees whose jobs are impacted by coronavirus..."

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/01/com...by-coronavirus.html?&qsearchterm=alex sherman

guest · Apr 2, 2020

Comcast may consider killing data caps, ISPs could learn from present experience
It turns out there's no problem meeting the increased demand
April 2, 2020
https://www.techspot.com/news/84651-comcast-may-consider-killing-data-caps-isps-could.html

Why it matters: Comcast says it's seen a surge in internet traffic from people stuck at home using messaging and conferencing apps, downloading games, and streaming video -- especially now that it waived data caps. And since that didn't exactly strain its network, the company could use this experiment to decide if data caps even make sense any more.

The internet service provider recently suspended data caps, and noticed two things: there's been a dramatic shift in when and where people use the Internet, and peak traffic went up 32 percent in most regions. [...] the surge in bandwidth usage doesn't seem to have put a significant strain on its infrastructure.
This raises some questions as to why data caps still exist, especially on wired connections.
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Verizon and AT&T have also removed data caps to its clients, and they will most likely brag about their networks working perfectly fine during the coronavirus pandemic. The simple fact that big ISPs are able to confidently allow everyone to use their Internet connections with no limits says a lot about how absurd data caps are today.
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guest · Apr 13, 2020

AT&T Giving Doctors and Nurses Three Months Free Unlimited Wireless Service
April 13, 2020
https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/att-free-wireless-doctors-nurses-coronavirus-1234578196/

AT&T will provide three months of free wireless service for nurses and physicians battling the coronavirus pandemic across the U.S., the latest goodwill gesture from corporate America during the crisis.

The telco revealed the news with the assistance of John Krasinski on his YouTube series “Some Good News,” which he launched two weeks ago as a way to provide uplifting and inspiring stories.
According to Krasinski, AT&T asked him how the company could help — and he suggested the telco pay the mobile phone bills for U.S.’s doctors and nurses for one month. “Their response? ‘How about three,'” says Krasinski.

Under AT&T’s offer, nurses and doctors who are already on a FirstNet Mobile – Responder plan will automatically receive the three-month service credit on a smartphone or tablet line of service. Those with existing AT&T service can migrate the line to FirstNet.
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Starting April 13, new subscribers can activate a new FirstNet Mobile – Responder line of service if they qualify for service. For new enrollees, AT&T also is granting a $200 activation credit toward a FirstNet Ready smartphone [...]
Among other steps AT&T has taken to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the company is waiving late-payment fees and has pledged to not disconnect customers’ service over nonpayment.
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guest · Apr 14, 2020

Telstra extends COVID-19 concessions
Telstra has extended the duration of its COVID-19 customer support measures to the end of June 2020
April 14, 2020
https://www.itwire.com/telecoms-and-nbn/telstra-extends-covid-19-concessions.html

Telstra is continuing to provide unlimited data at no additional charge for all consumer and small business fixed-line broadband customers; an extra 25GB of data for consumer and small business post-paid mobile customers (requires registration via the Telstra 24x7 or My Telstra apps); unlimited local, national (including mobiles) and 13/1300 calls for eligible pensioners with a Telstra home phone plan; and the waiver of late payment fees.

These concessions have been extended to the end of June.

"As things change we need to adapt and recognise we're all in this for the long haul. We all have a continued responsibility to do what we can to help people through this period and our next step is to extend our customer support measures for another few months," Ackland said.
In addition, Telstra has launched a bill assistance hub for customers to get information on its support measures and apply for relief if they are financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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guest · Apr 22, 2020

Verizon extends 15GB of extra data deal to customers through May
The deal ends on May 31st
April 22, 2020
https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/22/...b-of-extra-data-deal-to-customers-through-may

Verizon announced today that it’s extending its pledge to provide an additional 15GB of high-speed data to customers with a wireless plan through May 31st due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Verizon notes that customers will not have to perform an additional action to opt into the extended offer as it intends to automatically add the additional data to both consumer and small business accounts.
Verizon is not waiving data caps, though, so if you max out your data plan, your internet speeds can still be reduced.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the world, many communications companies have made pledges to provide ways for its customers to stay connected with no additional fees.
Earlier this month, Google temporarily doubled the data limit for Fi customers to 30GB.
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Verizon: 4/22 Update: Verizon helps eliminate worry for customers during time of great need

guest · Apr 27, 2020

Verizon, Comcast will not cancel service through June due to coronavirus
April 27, 2020
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...through-june-due-to-coronavirus-idUSKCN2292OU

Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N), the largest U.S. wireless carrier, and cable giant Comcast Corp (CCZ.N) said on Monday they will extend a commitment through June 30 not to cancel service or charge late fees to customers because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In March, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said major wireless and internet providers - including Verizon, Comcast, AT&T Inc (T.N), T-Mobile US Inc (TMUS.O) and Alphabet’s Google Fiber (GOOGL.O) - had agreed not to terminate service for subscribers for 60 days. In total, more than 700 companies have now agreed to the voluntary measures.
Cox Communications [COXC.UL] also said Monday it was extending its commitment not to cancel service or charge late fees through June 30 and to keep open its Cox Wi-Fi hotspots.

Comcast said in addition to extending the commitment through June 30 and making its Wi-Fi hotspots available for anyone who needs them that it would extend a pause in its data plans to give all customers unlimited data for no additional charge.
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Comcast: Comcast Extends Comprehensive COVID-19 Response Policies To June 30
Verizon: 4/27 Update: Verizon is prepared to serve customers during COVID-19 crisis

guest · May 10, 2020

Senators Are Calling On Comcast To Open Its 'Public Wifi' to the Public
May 8, 2020
https://gizmodo.com/senators-are-calling-on-comcast-to-open-its-public-wifi-1843341807

Two months ago, Comcast joined the crop of broadband giants taking part in the push to “keep Americans connected” in the midst of the current pandemic.
[...] and for Comcast specifically, this also meant opening more than one million public Xfinity hotspots nationwide for the folks without decent internet access at home to use for free.

Now, a handful of US Senators are asking the company to make these public hotspots a bit more... public.
As they (rightfully), point out, the only hotspots that had been opened as a part of the rollout were those in public locales—like shopping districts and public parks.
As the letter points out, these sorts of options are woefully inadequate for the roughly 12 million students currently relying on the internet for access to a decent education [...]
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guest · May 16, 2020

House Legislation Guarantees Internet Access for Those Affected by COVID-19
May 13, 2020
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/...ntees-internet-access-those-affected-covid-19

The House of Representatives has introduced new COVID-19 emergency response legislation to address the largest public health and economic calamity the United States has faced in generations.
One provision deserves particular attention: guaranteeing free Internet access if you have been economically harmed by COVID-19 (as originally envisioned in legislation promoted by Congressman Marc Veasey).

For the COVID-19 impacted parents with children, broadband access will be the means of providing remote education.
For everyone, a lot of face-to-face healthcare has been supplemented or replaced by telehealth. Broadband has always been an essential service. But under the conditions brought on by the global pandemic, it is the only way to fully participate in society.
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At a very basic level, the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program in this bill requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to offer free broadband service for COVID-19 impacted people, with the government compensating the ISPs at a set rate. The bill also locks in any of the promotional rates ISPs offered during the crisis for the duration of the crisis—ISPs cannot start charging people more until the crisis is over.

As mentioned, this bill is massive. As various parts of it are renegotiated, Congress must keep in mind that Internet access is vital and cannot be bargained away.
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guest · Jun 4, 2020

Small ISP cancels data caps permanently after reviewing pandemic usage
Antietam Broadband cancels cap—Comcast, AT&T only waived caps through June 30
June 4, 2020
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy...s-permanently-after-reviewing-pandemic-usage/

The coronavirus pandemic caused big ISPs to put data caps on hold for a few months, but one small ISP is going a big step further and canceling the arbitrary monthly limits permanently. Antietam Broadband, which serves Washington County in Maryland, announced Friday that it "has permanently removed broadband data usage caps for all customers," retroactive to mid-March when the company first temporarily suspended data-cap overage fees.

The decision to permanently drop the cap was made partly because of "learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic as more people worked and learned remotely," Antietam explained.

"These are uncertain times. We felt a need to give customers as much certainty over their bill as possible," Antietam President Brian Lynch said in the press release. "Eliminating data usage caps means that customers will know the exact amount of their broadband bill every month."
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