FCC Commissioner Carr Praises Internet Providers' New Plans for Low-Income, Student Access

Federal Communications 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. On March 23, 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 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 Commissioner 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.”