{$FTR} Media Contact:
Tina Pelkey, (202) 418-0536
tina.pelkey@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
CHAIRMAN PAI LAUNCHES THE
KEEP AMERICANS CONNECTED PLEDGE
Pai Calls on Broadband and Telephone Service Providers to Promote Connectivity for
Americans Impacted by the Disruptions Caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, March 13, 2020—Yesterday, in multiple phone calls with broadband and
telephone service providers and trade associations, Federal Communications Commission
Chairman Ajit Pai emphasized the importance of keeping Americans connected as the country
experiences serious disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak. And in order to ensure
that Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity as a result of these
exceptional circumstances, he specifically asked them to take the Keep Americans Connected
Pledge.
The Keep Americans Connected Pledge reads as follows:
Given the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on American society, [[Company Name]]
pledges for the next 60 days to:
(1) 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;
(2) waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their
economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and
(3) open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.
Less than 24 hours after the Chairman’s calls, the following companies have already told
Chairman Pai that they are taking the Keep Americans Connected Pledge and will implement it
as soon as possible: ACIRA – Powered by Farmers Mutual Telephone Company & Federated
Telephone, Allstream Business US, AlticeUSA, Antietam Broadband, Atlantic Broadband,
AT&T, BBT, BOYCOM Vision, Burlington Telecom, Cable One, Central Arkansas Telephone
Cooperative, CenturyLink, Charter, Cincinnati Bell, Citizens Connected, Comcast,
Consolidated Communications, Cox Communications, Digital West, East Ascension
Telephone Company, Education Networks of America, Emery Telecom, Farmers
Telecommunications Cooperative, FirstLight, Frontier, Google Fiber, Grande
Communications, Granite Telecommunications, Great Plains Communications, GWI,
Hiawatha Broadband,....