Ever since the outbreak of coronavirus, everyone has been advised to stay indoors and avoid going out as much as they can. Under such critical circumstances, the need for a stable internet connection has become even more crucial because employees are required to work from home, students are mandated to take online classes, and grocers are requested to shop for everything from e-stores that make contactless deliveries.
Due to the lockdown, many individuals lost their jobs, which is why they found it extremely difficult to pay for utilities like the internet. This brings us to the topic at hand, what are the best internet providing companies during this pandemic? Large corporations realize the fact that customers are going through a rough patch because of the disruption in the economy and cannot pay for the services right away. Therefore, many ISPs in the United States have started offering free internet service in this pandemic.
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How to sign up for free internet service?
If you are looking to sign up for free internet, you must qualify for a low-income household that has at least one K-12 child. Therefore, in case you meet the criteria, here are some of the best internet plans to sign up for during the global pandemic:
| Provider | Internet Plan | Eligibility Criteria | Price |
| Charter Spectrum | Spectrum Internet with Speeds up to 100 Mbps | New customers with at least one K-12 child | Free for 60 days |
| Comcast Xfinity | Internet Essentials with Speeds up to 25 Mbps | New customers who qualify for any government/federal assistance programs | Free for 60 days and $9.95 per month after the free period |
| Suddenlink | Altice Advantage with Speeds up to 30 Mbps | New customers with at least one K-12 child | Free for 60 days |
| Cox | Connect2Compete with Speeds up to 15 Mbps | New customers with at least one K-12 child and who qualify for any government/federal assistance programs | Free for 60 days |
What would happen if you cannot pay your internet bill during the pandemic?
In response to Covid-19 and the challenges that came with it, the chairman of FCC took an initiative known as Keep Americans Connected under which internet companies are required to waive off late payment fees, open nationwide hotspots, and not terminate service for any resident due to his/her inability to pay monthly bills. To date, more than 800 internet companies have signed this pledge, which means that your internet service will not be disconnected even if you are unable to make the payment on time. Therefore, there is no need to panic. Simply call your service provider and let them know about your problem. They will surely come with a viable solution for you.
How much internet speed do you need to work from home?
As more and more people are transitioning to a work-from-home routine, many are concerned whether the internet can support their online activities or not. Luckily, the most common applications that you use for work like Google Docs, Asana, Chrome, and Gmail do not require a high-speed internet facility. However, if your work requires you to attend video conferences every other day, then you must install a high-speed internet service that comes with an unlimited data allowance so you can consistently stay connected to your office without worrying about the monthly data usage. An internet connection with speeds up to 100 Mbps would be more than enough for households with multiple members, including students as well as individuals with jobs. Check out Spectrum internet and sign up for one of the best internet deals currently available in the market.
Is there a possibility of slow internet speed during the pandemic?
Yes. You might experience slow internet connectivity during the pandemic because providers are already obligated by the FCC to keep people connected to the internet even if they are unable to pay their bills on time. Therefore, delivering high-speed is not a priority for providers at this particular time. If all your family members are connected to the internet at the same time, then you might face significant speed disruptions in your connection even if you have subscribed to a cable or fiber internet service.
Do ISPs limit internet usage with data caps during the pandemic?
Fortunately, some internet providers have temporarily suspended their data limits so that customers do not face serious problems during the pandemic and can continue to work online. Here are the companies that have taken this step to ensure consistent connectivity to the World Wide Web:
- Comcast Xfinity
- Charter Spectrum
- AT&T
- CenturyLink
- Mediacom
- Cox
- Sparklight
Final Words
Since it is a difficult time for all of us, internet providers have taken all the necessary steps to ensure that Americans can access the internet whenever they need it. Almost all the aforementioned companies have implemented flexible payment options to facilitate their customers in the best possible way. That is all that you need to know for now. Stay home and stay safe. Like all bad times, this will end as well.