By Dr. Kenneth L. Bowen, March 19, 2020
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic has brought to light an inequity that has been known about for a long time but a sense of urgency to correct it did not exist until now. This inequity is internet access, especially in rural areas across our nation. As schools close across the nation with uncertainties about reopening, educators are brainstorming ways to serve their students virtually.
We have the means to provide our students access for devices but this does not address the internet access that is needed at home. Our current situation has many exploring ways to create the virtual equity that is needed now, more than ever.
On March 12, 2020, eighteen United States Senators sent a “joint letter” to the CEOs of AT&T, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Inc., Sprint Corporation, Century Link, Inc., T-Mobile, Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, and Verizon Communications Inc., asking them to give Americans a break.
“No one should be penalized or suffer financial duress for following guidance from the CDC, their employer, local public health officials, or school leaders. Unfortunately, many Americans are subject to restrictive data caps for their home broadband service — caps that could be particularly numerous given the more intensive broadband usage of households practicing social distancing measures and the economic uncertainty for which too many people without paid sick leave are already bracing. While it’s likely that your networks will experience significantly greater traffic as a consequence of social distancing measures, we encourage you to forebear.”
As of March 18, 2020, the following companies were providing the stated incentives to help with virtual equity:
Spectrum
–Charter Communications is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with children in grades K-12 or in college who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps.
–Families may call (844) 488-8395 to enroll and installation fees will be waived for new student households.
–It is important to note that regular pricing will take effect at the end of the 60-day period if a customer does not cancel or change the service.
—Eligible low-income households without school-aged children will be able to subscribe to Spectrum Internet Assist, a low-cost broadband program delivering speeds of 30 Mbps.
—In addition, the company said it will open its Wi-Fi hotspots across its service territory for public use. ?Read more…
Comcast
—Comcast Cable is offering the following packages:
—Low-income families in the Comcast service area can sign up for 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month.
—Comcast is also increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers, which will be the speed of the service going forward.
—To sign up, applicants may simply visit www.internetessentials.com.
—There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish. Read more…
AT&T
—AT&T is suspending data caps for broadband internet customers. Some AT&T home internet customers, not to be confused with those who subscribe to an AT&T mobile data plan, have plans that cap the amount of monthly data they may use. Those caps range from 150GB to 1TB. Going over the cap may result in fees as high as $10 for every 50GB over the limit. Read more…
Mobile
—T-Mobile is providing unlimited data to all current customers who have plans with data for the next 60 days. It will also provide additional data to mobile hotspot users. Read more…
Sprint
—Sprint will not be terminating service for residential and small business customers if they’re unable to pay their bill because of the pandemic and late fees will be waived.
—Those who have international long distance calling plans will get complimentary calling rates to countries classified as Level 3 (Avoid Nonessential Travel) by the CDC.
—Those with metered data plans will receive free unlimited data per month for a minimum of two billing cycles. Subscribers will get an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot per month for at least two billing cycles, as well. Continue reading…
Telstra
—Telstra is giving consumer and small business customers additional data as well as offering unlimited home phone calls to pensioners to counter the Covid-19 crisis.
—The company is providing its consumer and small business home broadband customers (ADSL, NBN and Cable) with unlimited data at no additional charge on their plan until April 30th. The data, which will be provided automatically, will help make possible videoconferencing; voice over Wi-Fi, and cloud connectivity, all important tools when working from home or in isolation.
The request of the eighteen US Senators is greatly appreciated: Mark R. Warner, Michael F. Bennet, Cory A. Booker, Tim Kaine, Tammy Baldwin, Richard Blumenthal, Jeffrey A. Merkley, Elizabeth Warren, Mazie K. Hirono, Angus S. King, Jr., Patty Murray, Benard Sanders, Robert Menendez, Richard J. Durbin, Jack Reed, Ron Wyden, Edward J. Markey, and Gary C. Peters. 2
The response of the companies is also appreciated. Although, some are capable of doing much more. However, we still have students without internet access — especially in rural America.
In addition, what happens after the pandemic ends? What will be done to create virtual equity nationwide for everyone? What will be done to correct an inequity that has existed for far too long?
Resources:
1.https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/2/3/239084db-83bd-4641-bf59-371cb829937a/ A99E41ACD1BA 92FB37BDE54E14A97BFA.letter-to-isps-on-covid-19-final-v2.-signed.pdf
2. https://official.spectrum.com/spectrum1 00/lfo-8n?ca.mp=Bing&ca.cr= 81844950250440&ca.kw=sp ectrum%20internet&ca.mt=e&cb.device=c&ca.target=kwd-81844899299630:loc-71182&o=sem&lf okp=spectrum%20internet&fp=tw1&cmp=SEMR_BR_B_43700029247302512&sitelink=false&tfn =SEM002631&msclkid=488a694df24319fafc4f373fb4b2398a&gclid=CPzQr9mzpOgCFYbRDQod 30gNhg&gclsrc=ds
3. https://www.syracuse.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-spectrum-to-offer-free-high-speed-int ernet-to-households-with-students.html
4. https://www.xfinity.com/learn/xfinity-doubleplay-ned?CMP=KNC-43700014320693191-MICROSO FT-73530082082775-c-comcast-e-Top_BR_Exact_North&gclid=CKakgZqzpOgCFYb9DQodjMkO lQ&gclsrc=ds
5. http://www.internetessentials.com
6. https://fox8.com/news/coronavirus/comcast-to-offer-free-internet-to-low-income-families-during-coronavirus-pandemic/
7. https://www.att.com/?source=EGOOTMKINFBNDDSKP&WT.srch=1&wtExtndSource=a&t&msclkid=e5c3a36441ef1b6f6c99fd1607a418df&gclid=CJ3AtIqzpOgCFcTmDQodamYOPQ&gclsrc=ds
8. https://www.nydailynews.com/coronav irus/ny-coronavirus-internet-providers-free-wifi-20200315-6
k7pzukriffdfcic5odfizmnri-story.html
9. https://www.t-mobile.com/news/t-mobile-update-on-covid-19-response
10. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/utility-phone-internet-companies-giving-184033878.html
11. https://business.sprint.com/covid-19/
12. https://www.telecompaper.com/news/telstra-offers-additional-data-unlimited-home-phone-calls-amid-covid-19-crisis–1330738
*
Dr. Kenneth L. Bowen serves as Vice President for Achievement for All Children and School Director for Southside-Ashpole Elementary in Rowland, North Carolina. You may read more about him at https://www.achievementforallchildren.com/team.