FCC Provides Relief That Enables Rural Broadband And Phone Providers To Immediately Waive Consumer Fees

The Federal Communications Commission paved the way for hundreds of rural phone and broadband providers to waive fees that would otherwise be incurred by customers experiencing economic challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include late payment fees as well as installation and cancellation fees for consumers signing up for, or looking to switch providers of, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband services in order to work from home or access remote learning. The FCC's action allows the tariff revisions waiving late payment penalties, installation and early cancellation fees to go into effect April 1.