Wireless Companies Extend Concessions for Coronavirus-hit Until June 30
U.S. wireless firms will extend a commitment through June 30 not to cancel service or charge late fees to customers who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
In March, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said major wireless and internet providers - including Verizon Communications, Comcast, AT&T Inc, T-Mobile US Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google Fiber - had agreed not to terminate service for subscribers for 60 days. In total, more than 700 companies have now agreed to the voluntary measures.
Verizon, AT&T, Comcast and T-Mobile all said they will extend the voluntary commitments that were set to expire in mid-May.
A group of 24 state attorneys general last week asked carriers to extend the voluntary commitments until Aug. 11.
Cox Communications also said on 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.
U.S. Cellular said it will extend through July 31 some consumer actions including providing some customers with extra hotspot data and eliminating data limits on high-speed internet plans.
Comcast said in addition to extending the commitment through June 30 and making its Wi-Fi hotspots available for anyone who needs them, it would extend a pause in its data plans to give all customers unlimited data for no additional charge.
Other major U.S. internet companies are expected to announce this week they too are extending commitments through June.