Internet providers are playing nicely as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Well, Comcast and AT&T are at least so far.
As reported on by Vice, AT&T is the first major internet service provider to suspend broadband data caps during the COVID-19 outbreak. AT&T told Vice that the suspension on broadband data caps is in effect and will be until further notice.
“Many of our AT&T Internet customers already have unlimited home internet access, and we are waiving internet data overage for the remaining customers,” an AT&T spokesperson told Vice.
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Comcast is the second major ISP to confirm a change in its internet access amid the COVID-19 crisis, as reported by Variety, but it’s not dropping broadband data caps. Instead, Comcast announced that it is offering free broadband to low-income households and that the company will be boosting internet speeds.
Comcast’s change will go into effect Monday, March 16, and it will bring two new features to the Internet Essentials Program. The first feature is for low-income households. Low-income families that live in an area with access to Comcast can sign up as a new customer to receive 60 free days of the Internet Essentials service. This service usually comes with a price tag of $9.95 per month.
The second feature is Comcast’s increase in speeds. The increased speeds will only apply to those with the Internet Essentials service. The service currently offers 15 Mbps for download and 2 Mbps for upload, but starting Monday, the service will jump to 25 and 3 respectively.
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“Our hope is that broader access and faster speeds will help all of our Internet Essentials customers more easily work from home, access educational resources, obtain important government health care alerts, and stay in contact with their families during this difficult time,” Comcast Cable’s President of Consumer Services Dana Strong said in a statement to Variety.
Only those who qualify for programs like the National School Lunch Program or SNAP are eligible for Comcast’s Internet Essentials service.
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The COVID-19 outbreak has led to many changes in the past few days and weeks, including the suspension of the NBA basketball season. It’s led to movie delays such as Mulan and No Time to Die, and has led to the closure of theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios Hollywood. Earlier this week, one of the world’s largest video game conferences, E3, was cancelled due to concerns over COVID-19.
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Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
Source: IGN.com Internet Providers Are (Finally) Being the Good Guys Amid Coronavirus Outbreak