Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai has developed a plan for broadband and telephone service providers to ensure connectivity for Americans, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman Pai asks that companies take a pledge to commit to the following for the next 60 days, considering the economic disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic: (1) not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills; (2) waive any late fees that customers may incur in paying their bills; and (3) open Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them. Many companies have already quickly endorsed and signed onto this pledge and have even made many additional voluntary commitments to keep Americans connected such as relaxing data cap policies and waiving long-distance and overage fees in certain circumstances. Companies interested in acknowledging support for this pledge can contact the FCC’s press secretary, Tina Pelkey, at (202) 418-0536 or tina.pelkey@fcc.gov.
