Mobile providers + more offer deals to Birmingham residents in response to COVID-19
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In lieu of the coronavirus pandemic, many home service companies and more are offering Birmingham customers new deals. Find out what you may be eligible for.
The Pledge
Given the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on society, many home-Internet and mobile providers have signed a pledge to waive late fees and keep customers connected when/if they miss payments due to the coronavirus for 60 days.
Companies that sign the pledge agree to:
- 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;
- Waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and
- Open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.
Companies who have signed the pledge include:
- AT&T
- T-Mobile
- Sprint
- Comcast
- Charter
- And more.
Here’s a breakdown of what each company is offering:
AT&T
- Will suspend data caps for its fixed internet service.
- Will offer a $10-a-month Access From AT&T program for qualifying low-income households.
If you are signed up for AT&T’s Unlimited Extra or Unlimited Elite plans, you will receive 5G coverage at no extra cost.
More info on 5G in Birmingham.
Charter Spectrum
- Will offer free Spectrum broadband and WiFi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100Mbps. Call to enroll.
- Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
- For eligible low-income households without school-aged children, Spectrum Internet Assist—a low-cost broadband program delivering speeds of 30Mbps— will continue to be offered.
- WiFi hotspots across its Alabama service area are open for public use.
Comcast Xfinity
- WiFi hotspots will be available for free. This includes non-Xfinity Internet subscribers.
- Data plans will be paused for 60 days, providing all customers Unlimited data for no additional charge.
- There will be no disconnects or late fees. *Must contact to let them know you are unable to pay your bills during this time.
- Internet Essentials will be free to new customers.
- New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service.
- New and existing Internet Essentials customers will see an increased speed of 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream—no additional fee.
T-Mobile
- Will upgrade all current customers to unlimited smartphone data for 60 days (excluding roaming). This applies to any T-Mobile plan or Metro by T-Mobile prepaid plan that has a monthly data cap.
- Will provide all customers an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot/tethering service for 60 days.
Verizon
- Will increase speeds at no extra cost.
- Will not place data caps on home Internet broadband services.
Verizon will also continue to offer a low-cost Lifeline plan for qualified families.
What about essentials like power and water?
Alabama Power
Currently, Alabama Power does not have any deal available, but they have published a list of suggestions for customers who will be spending more time at home. Suggestions include:
- Replacing air filters in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units.
- Keeping the thermostat set at one temperature.
- Ensuring air-conditioning vents are unobstructed and opened to full capacity.
- Using natural lighting early in the day and late in the afternoon to reduce energy use.
Birmingham Water Works
Birmingham Water Works announced plans to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. To ensure all Birmingham residents have access to clean water, they will not cut off water service for delinquent payments until further notice.
Spire
If Spire is your gas service provider, the company has currently suspended disconnects and late fees until May 1.
Are there more home services in Birmingham offering savings and more? Let us know @bhamnow.
