U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) commended a new pledge initiated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure that rural America has access to high-speed broadband services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I applaud the FCC’s commitment to ensuring rural Oregonians are connected in this time of crisis,” Rep. Walden said on Monday. “I also am grateful to all the private companies who are taking steps to further improve rural broadband access at this time.”
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai last week asked broadband and telephone service providers and trade associations to take the Keep Americans Connected Pledge, which states:
“Given the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on American society, [[Company Name]] pledges for the next 60 days to:
(1) “Not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic;
(2) “Waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and
(3) “Open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.”
“In times of need, it’s important we take an all-hands-on-deck approach to protect the public health and safety of communities across the nation,” Rep. Walden said. “The FCC’s recent launch of the Keep Americans Connected Pledge to incentivize providers to waive late fees for low-income families and small businesses and expand access to Wi-Fi hotspots is welcome news for rural America.”
According to the FCC, numerous companies said they are taking the pledge and will implement it as soon as possible, including AT&T, CenturyLink, Comcast, Cox Communications, Frontier, Google Fiber, Great Plains Communications, Hiawatha Broadband, Mediacom, Pioneer Communications, Range Telephone Cooperative, RCN, Sprint, and Verizon, among many others.
Trade associations including the Competitive Carriers of America, CTIA, NCTA-The Internet and Television Association, NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association, and USTelecom, are among those that also endorsed the pledge.
“With the continued spread of the coronavirus, we are seeing more people begin to work, learn and receive health care at home,” Rep. Walden said. “It is important that people who live in rural areas, like many Oregonians in my district, do not lose their access to broadband, especially at this time.”