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Big U.S. wireless providers extend voluntary commitments up to June 30

Date: April 28, 2020 Sunil Jha Sunil Jha
Big U.S. wireless providers extend voluntary commitments up to June 30 
Prominent wireless companies in the U.S. recently announced that they will be extending concession dates up to June 30 to not cancel any service and charge fees for late payment to customers who are bearing the brunt of the COVID -19 pandemic.



The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had said that wireless internet providers such as Comcast, T-Mobile US, Google Fiber of Alphabet Inc., Verizon Communications and AT&T Inc., had committed to not terminate any service for its subscribers for about 60 days. Over 700 firms have now agreed to take these voluntary measures.



AT&T, Comcast, T-Mobile and Verizon have now confirmed that they shall extend these voluntary commitments taken by them originally set to expire by mid-May. The Chairman of FCC, Ajit Pai had revealed these voluntary commitments in the month of March after discussions with the carriers which led to an agreement to keep even Wi-Fi hotspot open for people who needed them.



Apparently, a group of 24 state attorneys general had asked all the carriers to postpone the voluntary commitments up to August 11.



Comcast commented that besides extending the commitment up till June 30 as well as letting customers avail its Wi-Fi hotspots, it will also be extending a halt in its data plans to be able to offer its customers unlimited data free of cost. Cox Communications also informed that it will extend the dates for its customers and not cancel service or even charge them for late payment.



U.S. Cellular said that it will be extending the voluntary commitments up to July 31 that shall involve offering certain customers with extra hotspot data as well as removing limits on data on the high-speed internet plans.



Various other internet firms in the U.S. will be announcing about their extension of commitments up to June and even beyond the end of the school year. This will be due to having more than 50 million American children at home and the majority of them attending virtual classes.



 



Source Credit- https://in.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-usa-wireless/u-s-wireless-firms-extend-concessions-for-coronavirus-hit-till-june-30-idINKCN22A084

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Sunil Jha

Sunil Jha has been a part of the content industry for close to two years. Having previously worked as a voice over artist and sportswriter, he now focuses on writing articles for newsorigins.com, across a slew of topics, ranging from technology to trade and finance. With a business-oriented educational background, Sunil brings forth the expertise of deep-dive research and a strategic approach in his write ups.