Broadband
providers are making service changes as policymakers urge them to
prepare for a spike in network traffic from consumers working and
studying from home in response to coronavirus. The nation's internet
service providers say they haven't seen big usage gluts yet, but the
coming weeks and months could pose an unprecedented test of their
networks' ability to withstand a massive and sustained surge in
bandwidth needs.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai spoke with broadband companies, carriers and trade
associations about the issue Thursday. In order to ensure that
Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity as a
result of the exceptional circumstances, he asked them to take the Keep
Americans Connected Pledge.
The pledge asks companies to do three things for the next 60 days: not
terminate service to any residential or small business customers because
of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by
the coronavirus; waive any late fees that any residential or small
business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related
to the pandemic; and open its WiFi hotspots to any American who needs
them. Continue Reading
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