As many of you know and are experiencing, an increasing number of people across the United States are starting to work from home, learn from home, or are staying home for their health due to the spread of COVID-19. A handful of our corporate partners wanted to share information about the ways that they're responding to the outbreak. We've compiled the information below on their commitment to service, accessibility, and reliability in a time where many uncertainties. Feel free to explore some of their options; many are affordable and have lower costs (some restrictions may apply)!
Access from AT&T:
AT&T has affordable wireless service plans for as low as $10/month! Certain restrictions do apply; for more information visit the website or call 1-855-220-5211.
AT&T has created a separate page directly addressing their measures on the Company's responsibility to employees and customers. You can view their resources and statements here.
Charter Communications:
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Charter Communications signed on to the "Keep Americans Connected Pledge" launched by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The goal of this campaign is to provide consistent service and internet access to Americans as extreme circumstances, like the COVID-19 outbreak, occur. Charter Communications will be doing the following:
1. Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and WiFI access for 60 days to household with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. Installation fees will be waived for new student households and speeds will be up to a level of 100 Mbps. Call 1-844-488-8395.
2. Charter will partner with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely.
3. For eligible low-income households without school-aged children, Charter continues to offer Spectrum Internet Assist, a low-cost broadband program delivering speeds of 30 Mbps.
4. Charter will open its WiFi hotspots across their footprint for public use.
5. Spectrum does not have data caps or hidden fees.
For more information, please visit their website or call Charter Communications. Some restrictions may apply.
Comcast Internet Essentials Updates:
Comcast is increasing internet speeds for all customers (new and existing) moving forward. Existing customers do not need to do anything extra to get the new internet speeds. Comcast will also be extending free internet services for low-income families (restrictions do apply) for as low as $9.95/month. There are free easy-to-install kits that are provided for their new customers. You can view further details here.
Comcast has a web page dedicated to their commitment to customers amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. Feel free to check it out here.
T-Mobile:
T-Mobile release an update on their status due to COVID-19. They will be taking various measures (like increase sanitation in brick and mortar stores, lenient online shopping policies, etc.) to ensure customers and employees are safe and connected. For more information, feel free to read their statement online.
T-Mobile has also released a new plan of service for customers:
1. Starting now - ALL current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers who have plans with data will have unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming).
2. Providing T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot / tethering service for the next 60 days – coming soon.
3. Working with our Lifeline partners toprovide customers extra free data up to5GB of data per month over the next two months.
4. Increasing the data allowance for free to schools and students using our EmpowerED digital learning programs to ensure each participant has access to at least 20GB of data per month for the next 60 days.
Additionally, they are now:
5. Offering free international calling for ALL current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers to Level 3 impacted countries.
6. Supporting the FCC’s Keep Americans Connected Pledgefocused on ensuring residential and small business customers with financial impacts do not lose service.
Verizon:
Verizon has released a statement on its preparedness for customers and company employees amidst COVID-19. Some of the measures are:
1. [Verizon is] tripling [their] data allowance for Verizon Innovative Learning schools; $10 million to nonprofits directed at supporting students and first responders
2. Due to economic circumstances related to the coronavirus and to keep customers connected during this economic and global crisis; Verizon waives late fees for those impacted by COVID-19
3. [Their] networks are engineered to manage anticipated increases in traffic
Verizon has a webpage dedicated to the COVID-19 response from the company. Feel free to check it out here.
If you, your family, or members of your community have experienced xenophobia, discrimination, or harassment (in light of recent events due to COVID-19), please alert your local authorities and/or law enforcement. Please utilize OCA's Hate Crime Reporting tool via aapihatecrimes.org.
