Despite the end being uncertain for the COVID-19 situation, ISPs (internet service providers) and mobile providers are already bringing their monthly data limitations (caps) back into effect. Sounds like they feel enough people have gone back to work that they no longer have to contribute to the cause.
For a few months there, most of these companies agreed to waive any charges brought on by going over your monthly data caps due to so many people being stuck at home without work. However, they have decided this time is over now that the Keep Americans Connected Pledge by the FCC is coming to an end at the end of this month (June), and they are no longer “required” to play nice. Cox Communications was one of the first to return things back to normal, with the month of May being the last month to be included (no surprise to see their name at the front of the line).
Now, companies like T-Mobile, and Verizon, are rolling the idea around of putting those caps back into place at the end of the month. Unless of course, the FCC decides to extend the pledge with all of these companies. As of right now though, no decision has been made and no comments have been shared that suggest that this will happen.
So customers are at the mercy of these companies, which is unfortunate given unemployment rates are still incredibly high in many areas. Hopefully, some will decide on their own to extend certain privileges for a little while as America slowly marches towards normal operation.
Meanwhile, Cox Communications has upped the normal monthly cap for internet subscribers from 1TB to 1.28TB, which does bring at least a little bit of modern to their service. Hopefully, they can help promote the future of increased upload speeds as well so that IoT and video security can flourish and evolve without taxing the data caps of users.
Comcast has also increased their monthly cap, raising it to 1.2TB. They have also stated that they will continue to not charge for overages through the start of August (although they may decide to extend this further).
AT&T has also joined the list of companies to extend their data cap waiver, choosing to push things until September 30th for a majority of their plans (broadband accounts are not included in this).
Other companies have said that they will extend their trial periods for new subscribers, and modify some of their benefits for the near future, and in some cases, through the end of the year.
1 Comment
Comcast/Xfinity seems to have just recently started offering their “Xfi Complete” option in the Seattle area, which gives you unlimited data. It costs $25 more a month but includes the cost of renting their modem, so it could be only $11 more a month if you were already planning in renting their modem, which is $14 a month without “Xfi Complete.”
I just upgraded from a old 100 Mbps plan to a 200 Mbps plan with “Xfi Complete” included for the same price I was paying on my old plan. Someone on Reddit said they just started offering “Xfi Complete” in California too. “Xfi Complete” was formally called “Xfi Advantage” and was only available in some areas on the East coast on the US, so it’s good to see them bring it to the West.