03/30/2020
On behalf of Chairman Matzie, please find attached a summary of policies put in place by the major wireless and cable companies in PA, as result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The list offers a quick snapshot of steps each company has taken to assist their customers, including waiving fees and offering special plans for data, talk and text. For the most complete and up-to-date information, please visit each companies' website for details:
PA Wireless and Cable Provider COVID-19 Response
March 30, 2020
House Consumer Affairs Committee
Atlantic Broadband
Video Previews
Atlantic Broadband also announced an expansion of its video previews for customers. Starz/Encore, MSNBC and CNBC, EPIX, CNN, Fox News and Hallmark Channels—being made available to all video customers at no additional cost for a limited time.
Waiving of Terminations and Late Fees
In support of the FCC’s “Keep Americans Connected” initiative, Atlantic Broadband will not terminate service and will waive late fees for any residential or small business customer because of their inability to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Corporate Initiatives
The company last week announced that it would offer “Atlantic Broadband Internet Assist.” Available for a limited time to serviceable residents in Atlantic Broadband operating areas who are in financial need and who do not presently have internet from Atlantic Broadband. Offered free for 60 days with free installation and a free modem.
AT&T
Waiving Fees
As of march 13, 2020 and for the next 60 days, AT&T is waiving domestic wireless plan overcharges for voice, data, text for residential and small business customers “incurred due to economic hardship related to the coronavirus pandemic.” No termination of wireless service for the next 60 days due to inability to pay. Waiving late fees for 60 days.
Relief and Support Efforts
Unlimited AT&T Home Internet. For qualifying limited income households, $10/month. Public safety partner with state and local governments through AT&T FirstNet to give First Responders connectivity for 9-1-1. Keeping WiFi Hot Spots open.
Prepaid Plans
AT&T launched a new pre-paid 2GB, $15/month plan. After 2GB, data is throttled, but not cut-off.
Retail Locations
Other than a handful of stores across the country remaining open to serve first responders, most retail locations are closed. Limiting number of customers allowed in the stores remaining open with reduced hours, closed on Sunday.
Corporate Initiatives
AT&T created a $10M Distance and Learning and Family Connections Fund: Purpose of the fund is to help parents, students and teachers tools they need for at home learning.
Armstrong Cable
Customer Service Options
Armstrong Cable encourages the use of their online and digital self-service platform, use of their online and call-center resources for payment, service requests and to add or delete services.
Blue Ridge Communications
Waiving Fees
Data cap fees are waived until June 1, 2020 for new and existing customers. Offering flexible payment options for customers “experiencing financial difficulty due to the coronavirus.”
Customer Service
New trouble shooting feature launched to assist customers who are experiencing technical issues. Partnered with 10 cable channels to offer free previews until April 30 or May 1st.
Corporate Initiatives
Learn From Home Initiative – providing 10 meg high speed internet connection, modem and Wi-Fi to customers at no charge for 60 Days.
COMCAST
Free Wi-Fi for Everyone
Wi-Fi Hot Spots available to anyone, including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers.
Data Plan Pause
Comcast is pausing data plans for 60 days giving all customers Unlimited data for no additional charge.
Late Fees and Terminations
No late fees or disconnects if customers contact Comcast and explain they are having difficulty paying their bill.
New content on X1 and Flex
Educational content available for all student grade levels through a partnership with Common Sense Media.
SPRINT/T-Mobile
Sprint
For Customers:
Unlimited data for 60 Days to customers with metered Plans. Offering 20 GB of free mobile hotspot to customers. Waiving per-minute toll charges for international long distance to US to CDC-defined Level 3 countries.
T-Mobile
For Customers:
T-Mobile launched a new pre-paid plan that includes $15/month, unlimited talk/text plus 2GB of data and $30/month pre-paid plan that includes unlimited talk/text plus 5GB of data.
Verizon
Signed the “Keep America Connected Pledge” Pledge (FCC)
Waiving overage charges and late fees.
Lifeline customers to receive two months of waived internet and voice service charges, along with new affordable internet options for low-income households.
Adding 15GB of high speed data for wireless consumer and small business customers.
Providing First Responders with priority preemption abilities for voice and data.
No data caps for consumer and small business Fios and DSL broadband internet plans.
