US Telcos Agreed Not to Terminate Service for People Who Can’t Pay Bills Due to COVID-19 Outbreak

The United States has been hitting the headlines for the past few days.

For banning travellers from Europe and China.

For failing to handle the testing for Covid-19 within the country properly.

And most recently, for being the recipient of Jack Ma’s, the coolest person on the internet right now, kindness.

But it’s not just outsiders who are trying to help the people of the United States.

Even US Telecommunication Companies Are Doing Their Part.

When the Covid-19 virus struck, it’s not just people’s health getting hurt. Their wallets get hurt too.

As people are encouraged to work from home, forced to go on unpaid leave or have lesser customers, their ability to earn money diminishes.

Which is why major internet providers like Comcast Corp, AT&T Inc and Verizon Communications came to an agreement.

They will not terminate the service for subscribers for the next 60 days even if they are unable to pay their bills.

More than 50 companies also agreed to waive late fees residential or small business customers might have incurred due to the economic downturn.

Providing Free Internet For The People

WiFi hotspots were also open for anyone to use.

Which makes sense because most people get their information from the internet now. And as Taiwan has proven, people are less scared when they know what to do.

Charter Communications in the United States, is offering free broadband and Wi-Fi access to students with no access to the internet for sixty days.

Installation fees will be waived, the company announced.

This move came about as classes in the United States shifts to online classes and students now need internet access to continue their education.

“It’s Now More Important Than Ever For People To Be Connected”

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai said that at this moment in time, it’s important for “Americans to stay connected”.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel praises the companies who are helping out but said FCC can do more for the people.

She is asking for FCC to provide ‘hotspots on loan’ for students who need them for distance learning and healthcare providers for telehealth capabilities.

Providers were also asked for firms who offer a lower-speed network for lower-income consumers to increase their speed.

Some companies like Comcast and AT&T are doing so.

The Current Situation in the United States

Right now, the United States isn’t handling the Covid-19 pandemic really well.

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People who wished to be tested for the Covid-19 virus are not able to do so because they don’t meet the criteria imposed by the countries’ various state authorities.

One possible reason for that is the lack of coronavirus test devices.

The US had rejected the World Health Organisation’s approved test in favour of their own but has met manufacturing defects.

US President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency and said they would “spare no resources” in fighting against the Covid-19.

And finally, can I just ask: Can Singtel help me to waive my bills for the past two months, please?

Okay lah, maybe not me but the ones who are truly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak in Singapore.