Phone, internet providers extend service yet some still disconnected from lifelines during coronavirus pandemic

At a time when all Ohioans are being asked to stay at home to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases, phones, cellphones and internet connections are often a lifeline, connecting people to doctors, social services, unemployment, news, religious services, loved ones, and school lessons. Unlike electricity and water, however, phones and internet service haven’t been deemed “essential” by the government, and since they aren’t regulated like other public utilities, it is unclear how that would happen. The Federal Communications Commission on March 13 asked broadband and telephone service providers to pledge they would not disconnect service for customers for 60 days, and the FCC says 650 companies and trade associations made that promise. But still, some phone and internet connections are being cut, particularly in cases where bills already were overdue. Social services agencies say that case managers, lawyers and other outreach workers trying to reach clients have had trouble doing so because of disconnections. It is difficult to know how widespread the issue may be or to discern the reasons that some people have had service cut and others have not.