FCC calls for all carriers to extend their Keep America Connected pledge

It follows Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Comcast voluntarily extending their vow.

Corinne Reichert Senior Editor

Corinne Reichert (she/her) grew up in Sydney, Australia and moved to California in 2019. She holds degrees in law and communications, and currently writes news, analysis and features for CNET across the topics of electric vehicles, broadband networks, mobile devices, big tech, artificial intelligence, home technology and entertainment. In her spare time, she watches soccer games and F1 races, and goes to Disneyland as often as possible.

Expertise News, mobile, broadband, 5G, home tech, streaming services, entertainment, AI, policy, business, politics Credentials

I've been covering technology and mobile for 12 years, first as a telecommunications reporter and assistant editor at ZDNet in Australia, then as CNET's West Coast head of breaking news, and now in the Thought Leadership team.

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Corinne Reichert

April 30, 2020 3:31 p.m. PT

FCC

Federal Communications Commission chair Ajit Pai has asked all carriers and internet service providers to extend their pledge to waive late fees and disconnections amid the coronavirus pandemic until June 30. It comes after the major carriers AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Comcast earlier this week extended their vow not to cut off services to customers through June.

"Hundreds of providers have stepped up to the plate to keep Americans connected to communications services in this time of need," Pai said.

Almost 200 providers signed the original 60-day pledge in mid-March, with the terms being:

Companies will "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 pandemic,
"waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic, and
"open ... Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them."