We plan to launch our app in the US and needed help to understand how the mobile recharge market works in the US (especially for the 15 to 25 age group. As we plan to give Free recharge credits to users.
I believe that during Covid times the scenario in America had completely changed and sadly USA is still the worst hit country in the world. The Keep America Connected Pledge asks U.S. telephone and broadband service providers to agree that, for the next 60 days, they will open Wi-Fi hotspots to all Americans who need them, not terminate any services to residential or small business customers who can’t pay their bills due to complications from the pandemic, and also waive any late fees those customers might incur due to economic disruptions prompted by the coronavirus. The measure comes at the end of a week that saw major sports, concerts and events cancellations to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, and at a time when government agencies, companies and schools are instructing many Americans to begin working remotely. These “social distancing” moves are a necessary response to help combat and contain COVID-19—which has already resulted in more than 1,200 testing positive for the virus in the U.S. and 125,000 globally—but will also likely catalyse a spike in Americans’ need for at-home broadband access and connectivity. The Republican-led FCC’s new pledge also comes after Democratic Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks urged the agency in separate statements Thursday to take aggressive actions to ensure that health care providers, employees, students, rural communities and ultimately the nation have necessary connectivity during the rapidly unfolding crisis.
There are major telecom companies that have signed the Keep America Connected Pledge and have taken significant steps. Let us look at them one by one.
1. AT&T: AT&T, one of the first carriers to join the pledge, revealed last week that it would suspend data caps for some broadband internet customers as more employees are forced to work from home during the coronavirus pandemic. “Many of our AT&T internet customers already have unlimited home internet access, and we are waiving internet data overage for the remaining customers,” the Dallas-based carrier said in a statement. “Additionally, through Access From AT&T, we’ll continue to offer internet data to qualifying limited-income households for $10 a month.” AT&T also said that business customers currently on or those that purchase an AT&T World Connect Advantage package will receive 50 percent off the current rate in a monthly bill credit. Businesses, universities and schools can also take advantage of Cisco Webex Meetings with AT&T for free for 90-days.
2. Charter Communications: Like AT&T, Charter Communications signed on to the Keep Americans Connected pledge last week. Stamford, Conn.-based Charter also said that starting Monday and running for 60 days it will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access to households with K-12 or college students who do not already have a subscription and who now are taking classes online. Charter said that installation fees will be waived for new student households and the service level is up to 100 Mbps.
3. Comcast: Cable giant Comcast last week announced it would up the data speeds for low-income internet customers and offer new customers 60 days of free service for its Internet Essentials program as more consumers are asked or mandated to work or take classes online from home. Specifically, Philadelphia-based Comcast is increasing internet speeds for its Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers, which the company said will be the speed of the service going forward. The new speeds will be rolled out nationally to customers over the course of the week, Comcast said.
4. Cox Communications: Atlanta-based Cox Communications, in addition to signing the pledge, has activated its Business Continuity Plan for pandemic situations. The plan ensures the continuation of services during times of crisis, the carrier said.
5. Cox is upgrading internet speeds for its Starter, Straight Up Internet and Connect2Compete residential packages for the next 60 days. Additionally, Cox is extending its Cox Complete Care remote desktop support at no charge to residential customers. The service will provide remote helpdesk and assistance for loading new applications that customers might need, such as online classroom support applications and web conferencing services, according to the company.
6. Sprint: Overland Park, Kansas-based wireless carrier Sprint last week signed on to the pledge to help its consumer and small business customers stay connected while working remotely. As part of the plan, customers with metered data plans can expect this week to receive unlimited data per month for 60 days at no extra cost. Sprint also said it will provide customers with an additional 20 gigabytes of mobile hotspot data per month for 60 days at no extra charge. In addition to the pledge, Sprint told customers last week that T-Mobile, it's merger partner, has expanded roaming access for Sprint customers to use the T-Mobile network. Sprint’s network will have expanded coverage and capacity, which includes rural areas, over the next 60 days, the carrier said in a statement.
7. T-Mobile: T-Mobile last week pledged to provide unlimited smartphone data across all mobile plans, including for its T-Mobile and prepaid Metro customers. The carrier is providing an additional 20 gigabytes of its mobile hotspot service for the next 60 days and is also offering free international calls to any Level 3-impacted nations worldwide. The Bellevue, Wash.-based carrier said that effective this week, T-Mobile will temporarily close all indoor mall retail locations. The carrier said it will be maintaining compensation for its teams and supporting independent operators through the end of March.
8. Verizon: Like its competitors, Verizon is helping its customers transition to teleworking and remote learning by signing the pledge and promising not to overcharge customers during the outbreak. Basking Ridge, N.J.-based Verizon has also increased its capex guidance by $500 million, or nearly 3 percent, to a range of $17.5 to $18.5 billion for this year. The carrier said its additional investment will “accelerate Verizon’s transition to 5G and help support the economy during this period of disruption.”
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