Pai Asks Providers to Extend 'Keep Americans Connected' Pledge Through June 30
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wants telecom providers to extend their Keep Americans Connected pledges by an additional month and a half to June 30 (see 2004300037), the agency said Thursday. Several phone, cable and wireless providers announced extensions earlier this week (see 2004270050). March 13, Pai asked providers not to terminate service for 60 days for residential or small-business customers due to inability to pay because of disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic, waive late fees for residential or small-business customers due to COVID-related economic circumstances and open their Wi-Fi hot spots to any American who needs them (see 2003130066).
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"Companies representing the vast majority of broadband and telephone subscriptions have already agreed to this extension," Pai said Thursday. "I thank them for stepping up to the plate once again during this national emergency, and I encourage others to do so as well.” Among those that have extended are AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Comcast, Cox, Charter, Mediacom, CenturyLink, Windstream, Sparklight, Sjoberg’s and U.S. Cellular.
"Our member companies have made significant offers well beyond the FCC pledge" to help families stay connected during the pandemic, "especially low-income households and families with students that are now learning from home," an NCTA spokesperson emailed.
“ACA Connects members have gone above and beyond their normal business practices” to keep their customers during COVID-19, "and for many this included taking the FCC’s initial pledge,” CEO Matt Polka said. He said members will be looking out for their customers and communities "far beyond" June 30.
The Competitive Carriers Association supports the goal. CCA members "will continue to be innovative in keeping their employees on the job while taking steps to keep their customers connected,” emailed CEO Steve Berry. “Keeping Americans Connected is now more important than ever,” said Wireless ISP Association CEO Claude Aiken. "It helps 'flatten the curve' and save lives."
NTCA wants congressional funding “to help providers keep services up and running when customers can’t pay,” emailed CEO Shirley Bloomfield. “We hope in particular that the [proposed] bipartisan Keeping Critical Connections Act [S-3569] will form the basis for policies that sustain essential broadband services for customers in the midst of this public health and economic crisis.”
Providers that can't commit to an extension for financial reasons are asked to opt out at KACpledge@fcc.gov by May 12.