In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Comcast - whose service is called Xfinity - is offering free services and liberalizing some of its policies so that more people can get online and use as much data as they need.

The company is now offering free access to all of its WiFi hotspots for everyone, not just their customers. You can access a map of WiFi hotspots here.

For current customers, Comcast will pause its data plan so that customers have unlimited data to facilitate "working and educating from home," the company said in a press release. On Thursday AT&T announced that it is suspending data caps for broadband customers.

Comcast has also pledged not to disconnect a customer's internet service or assess late fees, "if they contact us and let us know that they can't pay their bills during this period."

Special program for low-income customers

During this pandemic, a lot of people are being asked to work from home and an increasing number of schools are starting to offer telelearning programs so that students can attend classes at home instead of congregating at school. Of course, many low-income workers have the types of jobs that can't be done from home, but do, as long as they have high-speed internet.

Telelearning applications often include streaming video, sometimes in both directions. Video requires more bandwidth than typical email and web applications so reasonably high speed internet is essential.

For several years, Comcast has offered a program called Internet Essentials, which provides broadband to eligible low income customers for $9.95 a month. And, because of the coronavirus, it is now offering the service free to new low income customers for 60 days, after which they will pay the regular $9.95 a month if they keep the service. New customers will get a free self-install kit that includes a cable modem with a Wi-Fi router. There will be no term contract or credit check and no shipping fee.

Starting on Monday, Charter will also offer free Spectrum internet service, up to 100 MBPS to low-income customers for 60 days. If you live in an area not served by Comcast or Charter, check with your local providers to see what they offer.

Higher speed

Comcast is also upping the speed of its Internet Essentials service from 15 megabits per second (MBPS) for downloads and 2 MBPS for uploading to 25 and 3, which should be more than enough for distance learning and telecommuting applications, including video conferencing. Existing customers don't need to do anything - they will automatically get the speed increase.

The service is available for people who are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and others.

You can sign up at www.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.

Disclosure: Larry Magid is CEO of ConnectSafely.org, a non-profit internet safety organization that has received financial support from Comcast and tech companies.

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