Comcast, AT&T offering discounted internet to low-income families during coronavirus crisis

Frank Witsil
Detroit Free Press

As Michigan families increasingly turn to the internet for work and school in response to the coronavirus pandemic, service providers have begun to offer lower-income households faster speed and temporarily reduced costs.

It's unclear how the nation's data and telecommunications network will be tested in the next few weeks as millions of Americans seek to socially distance themselves to limit the spread of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

Some companies are seeking to pre-empt what may become a challenge as people seek to stay connected, seek information about the unfolding public health crisis as the state tries to limit physical contact to help contain the virus, and even turn to streaming services and gaming for entertainment while cooped up at home. 

Comcast Cable Technical Operations Lead Technician Brandon Lofton works to install a new modem while setting up internet service and the X1 Operating system for a Detroit resident as they switch to Comcast on Friday November 27, 2015.

Moreover, officials say, more broadband may be crucial for more telemedicine.

Comcast said it's modestly boosting speeds and offering a free trial for its internet Essentials program, its low-cost internet service for lower-income customers. Starting Monday, download speeds go from 15 Mbps to 25 and upload speed from 2 Mbps to 3.

AT&T said "we are waiving internet data overage" for customers not already on unlimited home internet plans. Additionally, the company said, its Access program will continue to offer internet data to qualifying limited income households for $10 a month.

Verizon and Frontier said they already don't have data caps, USA Today reported. Moreover, Verizon said that even with the recent increase in telecommuting and online learning, its networks haven't "not seen a measurable increase in data usage."

Some officials already have begun issuing warnings.

Jessica Rosenworcel, a member of the Federal Communications Commission, said Thursday that aggressive action is required in response to COVID-19, urging more be done to ensure connectivity and lift data caps.

"The coronavirus is already exposing hard truths about the digital divide, but the Federal Communications Commission has the power to help," Rosenworcel said Thursday. "Nationwide, this crisis means that we are going to explore the expansion of telework, telehealth, and tele-education."

Many school districts are trying to figure out how to deliver instruction to students as classrooms shut down. 

Late Thursday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered all K-12 schools in Michigan to close Monday through April 5 as the state battles the coronavirus. The order covers traditional public, charter, private and boarding schools in the state.

"This is in response to COVID-19 and the large and growing number of school districts that are considering or already responding with e-learning curriculum," Dana Strong, the Comcast Cable's president of consumer services, said. "We also know that for millions of low-income Americans who don’t have Internet service at home, this uncertain time is going to be even more difficult to manage."

In Italy, the country with the highest number of COVID-19 cases outside China, internet traffic is surging as bored kids go online to play Fortnite and other video games, according to news reports

There, schools, shops, restaurants, and other entertainment are shut down, and Telecom Italia Chief Executive Officer Luigi Gubitosi said in an analyst conference call that internet traffic has increased by more than 70%.

In addition, households in Michigan and elsewhere in the United States are expected to need more internet bandwidth as companies ask employees to work from home and quit coming into the office.

Comcast also is offering new customers a free, 60-day trial of Internet Essentials service, normally the program is available to low-income households for $9.95 a month. 

Comcast, which is based in Philadelphia, has been offering programs for years to increase wireless internet access to customers who can't afford it for about $10 a month, along with options to buy low-cost computers.

But, the company said, its latest move is a direct response to the health crisis.

Read more:

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: All Michigan K-12 schools must close until April 5

Comcast expands low-cost Internet access program to seniors in Detroit

To get faster speeds, Comcast said existing customers will not need to do anything. They will be rolled out nationally over the next few days. 

New customers, Comcast said, will get a free self-install kit that includes a cable modem with a Wi-Fi router. In addition, there will be no term contract or credit check and no shipping fee.

To sign up, applicants can call 855-846-8376 for English and 855-765-6995 for Spanish or go online to www.internetessentials.com. The website also includes an option to video chat.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com