PUC, Utility and Internet Companies Actions to Assist Consumers During Covid-19 Pandemic

Latest information on assistance in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus March 14, 2020 | 10:59 AM

In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) developments, we strive to keep you up to date on actions being taken to mitigate the effects of this crisis. Below, please find most recent information and updates from companies and providers that are enacting extraordinary measures to ensure continuity of service delivery for customers.

PUC Issued Emergency Order 3/13/20

Moratorium on utility shutoffs for all regulated utilities
Applies to electric, gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and steam utilities
- *Order does not apply to municipal utilities

Verizon

For the next 60 days, Verizon will:

Waive late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus
Not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills
Open their Wi-Fi hotspots to all Americans for the next 60 days

ATT

For the next 60 days, ATT will:

Not terminate the service of any wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customer because of their inability to pay their bill due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic
Waive any late payment fees that any wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customer may incur because of economic hardship related to the coronavirus pandemic
Keep public Wi-Fi hotspots open for any American who needs

More information can be found here:

https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html

TMobile

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)
Soon T-Mobile will provide T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot/tethering service for the next 60 days
Working with Lifeline partners to provide customers free extra data up to 5GB of data per month for the next 60 days
Increasing the data allowance, free of charge, to schools and students using EmpowerED digital learning programs to ensure each participant has access to at least 20GB of data per month for the next 60 days
Offering free international calling for all current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers to Level 3 impacted countries

TMobile has pledged:

Not to terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic
Waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic
Open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them

Sprint

Will offer unlimited data for 60 days starting next week
The arrangement will kick in by March 19, and Sprint will also provide customers with an extra 20GB of mobile hotspot data per month for the same time period
Waiving late fees and won't terminate services if customers are unable to pay their bill due to the impacts of the coronavirus
By Tuesday the company will introduce free international calling for CDC Level 3 nations for customers with long-distance calling plans
Customers who don't pay for mobile hotspot services will get 20GB per month for the next 60 days

Comcast

Xfinity WiFi

Free For Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers
For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi
Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser

Data Plans

Pausing our data plans for 60 days giving all customers Unlimited data for no additional charge

No Disconnects or Late Fees

Will not disconnect a customer’s internet service or assess late fees if they contact the company and let them know that they can’t pay their bills during this period
Care teams will be available to offer flexible payment options and can help find other solutions

Internet Essentials Free to New Customers

New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month
Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream
That increase will go into effect for no additional fee and it will become the new base speed for the program going forward

Broadband Cable Association

One of BCAP’s member companies, Charter Communications, will offer:

Free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps
To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households

Charter will partner with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely. Charter will continue to offer Spectrum Internet Assist, high speed broadband program to eligible low-income households delivering speeds of 30 Mbps.