Media Contact:
Will Adams, (202) 418-2007 
will.adams@fcc.gov 
 
For Immediate Release







Carr Praises Internet Providers’ New Plans for Low-Income, Student Access
ISPs Unveil New and Expanded Plans to Help Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC, March 23, 2020––FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr praised America’s Internet service providers for creating or expanding over the last week access plans tailored to keeping students and others in low-income households online and connected.

Schools across the country have closed in the last two weeks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, sending millions of K-12 and college students home for an indefinite time.  Educators have adjusted rapidly, teaching through virtual classrooms, video conferences, and online lessons. 

The FCC has a number of existing programs that support Internet access at schools and libraries and for low-income families who may not be able to afford access on their own.  Still, with social distancing and the move from school to home, there is an enhanced need to provide students in low-income households with fast Internet.  

Internet providers, in collaboration with the FCC, have stepped up to meet this need.  Hundreds of providers have signed Chairman Pai’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge, which preserves service, waives fees, and opens up Internet access points to those affected by the pandemic.  As of today, nearly all of the country’s largest providers—and countless smaller ones—are going further and have recently created or expanded offerings for low-income households, especially those with students.  

This afternoon, Verizon announced a new high-speed Internet access program for low-income households, with the first two months of this Fios wireline service effectively free and other fees waived.  The company also announced free wired service for all of its Lifeline customers for two months.  Windstream today also announced the creation of a new offering for low-income customers that includes two months of free service.  Altice, AT&T, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Mediacom, and TDS have all expanded low-income programs through new eligibility, reduced prices, increased speeds, waiving fees for two months, or targeting K-12 households, depending on the provider.

“This is the private sector stepping up and extending the reach of the FCC’s own low-income initiatives. Over the past week, we have been in close communication with America’s Internet providers because we are all in this together.  I want to commend them for how quickly they have moved to ensure that Americans—and low-income consumers in particular—stay connected.  Internet providers understand that low-income households now more than ever need access to fast Internet to keep working and learning.  Creating and enhancing plans for those most in need is caring for our communities and deserves our praise,” said Carr.  “I’m grateful to our partners in the private sector who have worked with us on so many of these plans.  Their leadership and continued quality service will keep kids connected and help all of us beat this virus.”

###


Office of Commissioner Brendan Carr: (202) 418-2200
www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/brendan-carr