AG Slatery Urges Telecommunication Companies to Keep Tennesseans Connected

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 | 10:58am

(Nashville) Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein are leading a bipartisan group of 27 attorneys general in urging the telecommunications industry to make further commitments to protect consumers who are struggling financially as a result of COVID-19 and are calling upon the FCC for support.

During this crisis, Americans are relying heavily on the Internet and telecommunications systems for work and school, and to stay informed and safe. Access to these systems is critical. For the millions of workers now facing unanticipated economic circumstances as a result of this crisis, any disruption in these systems has the potential to have a devastating impact on their safety, education, and work.

“We appreciate the quick initial action of the FCC and telecommunications companies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said General Slatery. “Our request builds upon those commitments so they have the intended impact of helping people suffering economically through no fault of their own.”

On March 13, 2020, the FCC announced that many companies had pledged for 60 days to (1) not terminate service to residential or small business customers for nonpayment; (2) waive late fees; (3) open Wi-Fi hotspots to anyone who needs them. These commitments are commendable, but 60 days is not enough.

In the letter, Attorneys General ask that the companies:

  • extend the FCC pledge an additional 90 days,
  • use fair and reasonable payment plans,
  • reconnect previously disconnected customers,
  • expand data caps, and
  • educate their customers on the COVID-19 related services they are providing and about COVID-19 related scams.

You can read the letter here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/attorneygeneral/documents/pr/2020/pr20-14-letter.pdf

Attorneys General Slatery and Stein are joined by the Attorneys General of California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Guam, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

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Press Release #20-14:  AG Slatery Urges Telecommunication Companies to Keep Tennesseans Connected