CNET News - Friday, March 13, 2020 at 1:40 PM
Carriers, ISPs pledge to keep Americans connected amid coronavirus - CNET
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says he wants to be sure people don't lose their
broadband or telephone connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Broadband and wireless companies are signing a "Keep Americans Connected
Pledge" at the request of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai,
to ensure customers in the US aren't cut off from communications services
during the coronavirus pandemic.
Pai said in a release Friday that he talked with broadband service providers
and trade associations on Thursday and asked them to agree to three major terms
to "ensure that Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity
as a result of these exceptional circumstances." Providers are being asked to
abide by the pledge for at least the next 60 days. The terms are as follows.
(1) Companies will "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 ... Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them."
"As the coronavirus outbreak spreads and causes a series of disruptions to the
economic, educational, medical, and civic life of our country, it is imperative
that Americans stay connected," Pai said in the statement. "Broadband will
enable them to communicate with their loved ones and doctors, telework, ensure
their children can engage in remote learning, and -- importantly -- take part
in the 'social distancing' that will be so critical to limiting the spread of
this novel coronavirus."
Pai also said that the FCC will continue to talk to broadband companies about
possible strains on their networks due to increased usage, as many people
telecommute for work and school children try to access instruction remotely.
The pledge comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the US
explodes, resulting in schools closing and companies across the country asking
employees to work remotely. As a result, Americans nationwide will be relying
on their broadband connections to stay connected to schools, workplaces and
medical professionals.
Shortly after the announcement, Verizon announced it would follow the pledge
and waive late fees. AT&T followed suit.
Earlier this week, Democrats on the FCC expressed their concern that the FCC
needed to do something to ensure that Americans stay connected to broadband and
to help get those who may not have access to high speed internet get connected.
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the broadband and wireless carriers'
pledge was a "welcome first step."
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"We know that more Americans than ever before will need internet access for
work, education and health care," she said. "We also know that this crisis
will expose hard truths about the scope of the digital divide."
But the FCC needs to do more, she said. Specifically, she's asking the agency
to take these additional steps:
Use universal service power to provide hotspots for loan to students whose
schools have closed.
Connect hospitals and patients just like the FCC did in the wake of Hurricane
Katrina by working with health care providers to "ensure connectivity for
telehealth services are available for hospitals, doctors, and nurses treating
coronavirus patients and those who are quarantined."
Expand the pledges broadband and wireless companies are making and adjust FCC
programs so that even more Americans can get online during this crisis at
little or no cost.
Eliminate data caps and overage fees where they apply.
On Thursday Comcast and AT&T were the first internet providers to announce that
they would be extending data caps for their services.
The FCC listed the following companies and industry associations that have
taken the pledge.
Companies
ACIRA -- Powered by Farmers Mutual Telephone Company & Federated Telephone
Allstream Business US
AlticeUSA
Antietam Broadband
Atlantic Broadband
AT&T
BBT
BOYCOM Vision
Burlington Telecom
Cable One
Central Arkansas Telephone Cooperative
CenturyLink, Charter
Cincinnati Bell
Citizens Connected
Comcast
Consolidated Communications
Cox Communications
Digital West
East Ascension Telephone Company
Education Networks of America
Emery Telecom
Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative
FirstLight
Frontier
Google Fiber
Grande Communications
Granite Telecommunications
Great Plains Communications
GWI
Hiawatha Broadband
Hill Country
IdeaTek Telcom
Inteliquent
Lafourche Telephone Company
Lakeland Communications
Long Lines Broadband
Mammoth Networks/Visionary Broadband
Mediacom
MetTel
Nex-Tech
Ninestar Connect
Northwest Fiber
Orbitel Communications
Pioneer Communications
Premier Communications
Range Telephone Cooperative
RCN
Reserve Telephone Company
Sacred Wind Communications
Shawnee Communications
Socket Telecom
Sonic
Sprint
Starry
TDS Telecom
TelNet Worldwide
T-Mobile
TracFone Wireless
Uniti Fiber
US Cellular
Vast Broadband
Verizon
Vyve Broadband Investments
Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom
Wave Broadband
West Telecom Services
Windstream
ZenFi Networks
Trade associations
ACA Connects
Competitive Carriers of America
CTIA
INCOMPAS
NCTA -- The Internet and Television Association
The Rural Broadband Association
USTelecom
WISPA
Responses to pledge
Verizon
"Now more than ever, we need to ensure that our customers, their families and
businesses have the ability to connect to the internet even if they're facing
financial hardship from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic," said Hans
Vestberg, Verizon chairman and CEO. "We want to ensure that our customers can
continue to use the internet to work, learn, and carry on with their lives as
we all address this collective challenge. We're confident this joint effort
will help make that happen."
NCTA
"We are confronting an unparalleled global public health crisis," said NCTA
President Michael Powell. "This is a moment that calls for society to work
together and for every business and organization to do what it can to help
mitigate the dangerous effects of COVID-19 and the risk it presents to our
citizens. Social distancing has become an essential part of that response,
which is leading to millions of people -- by far more than typical -- working
and learning from home. NCTA's member companies, America's broadband leaders
which provide fast and reliable internet service to over 72 million homes and
businesses, are working hard to ensure that our vital network connection to the
internet remains robust and accessible."
INCOMPAS
"Rising to the challenge and meeting the moment; that is the message our small,
competitive local broadband and communications service providers are sending
today by joining the FCC pledge to "Keep Americans Connected" during the
Coronovirus challenge," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. "Without question,
broadband is a critical, lifesaving service for our customers. Local providers
serve schools, hospitals, health clinics, small businesses and families that
depend on fast reliable internet access and communications services now more
than ever."
ACA Connects
"ACA Connects applauds FCC Chairman Ajit Pai for his vision and guidance at a
time when the country is facing a global health crisis caused by the
coronavirus pandemic," said ACA President Matt Polka. "The challenges facing
our country require a new level of teamwork between broadband service providers
and government. We at ACA Connects endorse Chairman Pai's 'Keep Americans
Connected' pledge, and we know that all ACA Connects members are committed to
helping their communities stay strong amid so much uncertainty."
CCA
"CCA members care about the health and safety of their customers," said Steven
K. Berry, president of the Competitive Carriers Association. "I thank Chairman
Pai and the Commissioners for their commitment to ensuring consumers and small
businesses maintain connectivity, through efforts like the Keep Americans
Connected Pledge, as the nation weathers the coronavirus pandemic. The ability
to connect with public safety, educational resources and family is absolutely
critical during this time, and I thank the Commission for keeping the public
interest top of mind. We will continue to work with the FCC, Administration,
and Congress on this and other measures to address the pandemic crisis."
CTIA
"The wireless industry applauds Chairman Pai and the Administration for taking
important proactive steps to keep Americans connected," said CTIA President
Meredith Attwell Baker. "We're committed to serving our customers and
continuing to provide access to the world's most reliable wireless networks."
https://www.cnet.com/news/broadband-and-wireless-carriers-take-fcc-pledge-to-not-cut-off-service-during-covid-19-crisis/#ftag=CAD590a51e
David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist
Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.info
