Wireless Carriers Pledge Unlimited Data & Additional Hotspot Allowances in Response to COVID-19

Article Summary

• In the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, major wireless and broadband companies responded with a number of measures designed to help Americans stay connected and relieve financial strain during this period of uncertainty.
• Support initiatives have included payment and late fee suspensions, unlimited data, and increased mobile hotspot allowances.
• Though many carriers ended their initial relief offers at the end of June, some have continued those efforts through special repayment programs.

U.S. telecom and broadband providers, including T-Mobile and Verizon, introduced additional measures to help customers stay connected during the current novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19). These plan enhancements have included unlimited data for current cell phone plans and extra hotspot data allowances, and were in addition to promises made in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) nationwide connectivity pledge.

FCC Connectivity Pledge

On Wednesday, March 13, FCC Chairman Adjit Pai launched the “Keep Americans Connected Pledge,” aimed at easing both financial and communication-related burdens on Americans caused by the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak, and the subsequent social distancing measures that the state and federal governments have put in place.

For a period of at least 60 days, participating wireless and broadband providers agreed to: 

• Make their public Wi-Fi hotspots available and free to all Americans, regardless of which wireless carrier or broadband provider they subscribe to
• Waive all late payment fees for both individuals and small businesses resulting from the economic repercussions of COVID-19
• Continue providing service to residential and small business customers, regardless of their ability to pay their bills during the pandemic

“It is imperative that Americans stay connected,” Pai stated. “Broadband will enable them to communicate with their loved ones and doctors, telework, ensure their children can engage in remote learning, and—importantly—take part in the ‘social distancing’ that will be so critical to limiting the spread of this novel coronavirus. . . . I don’t want any American consumers experiencing hardships because of the pandemic to lose connectivity.”

Many carriers extended their promise beyond the initial 60-day commitment to honor these relief measures. Of those extensions, the majority lapsed at the end of June, though some carriers have extended further or altered their relief measures accordingly. Details for each provider are outlined below.

Additional Steps Carriers Have Taken

In addition to the measures outlined in Chairman Pai’s pledge, each of the major carriers, as well as many MVNOs, took their own steps toward relieving Americans of the anxiety associated with the novel coronavirus pandemic. Here's a recap of how wireless companies responded to COVID-19.

Verizon

The nation’s largest carrier had extended its FCC pledge relief measures through June 30 for all customers affected by the coronavirus outbreak. As of July 1, the carrier is now offering additional repayment options through its Stay Connected repayment program. All customers who signed up for Pledge relief have been automatically enrolled in this program, through which Verizon will work with you to alleviate any hardship caused by COVID-19.

Additionally, Verizon is focusing efforts on supporting teachers and students participating in its Verizon Innovative Learning program. Schools will receive triple their current data allowances to aid the effort in continued home-based learning during extended school shutdowns.

Verizon has also extended the same discounted unlimited plan pricing currently offered to military and first responders to nurses and teachers as well. This pricing is permanent going forward.

The remainder of Verizon's relief measures have expired; here's a rundown of what the carrier offered to its customers:

• Through April 30th, Verizon provided unlimited domestic calling to customers on limited minute plans plus free international calling to Level 3 countries that had been impacted hardest by COVID-19. Prepaid customers received an additional 300 minutes to call those affected destinations.
• Verizon also added an extra 15GB of high-speed data for all wireless customers through April 30th—Unlimited plan subscribers received an extra 15GB to their hotspot allowance, and shared data plan customers received another 15GB added to your overall monthly data allotment.
• Lifeline program subscribers saw their voice and internet charges waived.

Most Verizon stores are now open Monday through Saturday, though all stores remain closed on Sundays. Store hours continue to be reduced to 11AM-4PM, and customers must wear a mask at all times inside the store. Verizon has also introduced Touchless Retail measures in stores, including a preferred mobile check-in process and a text-based checkout process.

Though the carrier hasn’t suspended wireless data caps entirely, customers can upgrade to an unlimited plan anytime. The Start Unlimited plan is $70/month for a single line, offering unlimited 4G LTE data; the Play More Unlimited and Do More Unlimited plans each include unlimited mobile hotspot data with 15GB at 4G LTE speeds for $80/month.

AT&T

Like Verizon and most other carriers, AT&T had extended its payment relief measures through June 30th, as well as added an extra 15GB of monthly hotspot data for customers on an unlimited plan that offers mobile hotspot. Those have now ended as of July 1st, except in states like Washington and Hawaii where local government has mandated payment waivers. However, customers outside of these areas who still need financial assistance can apply for a payment waiver.

The carrier is still offering free calling to active-duty military personnel stationed on specific Navy ships, as well as waiving international roaming charges in Guam, which is intended to provide relief to U.S. military members stationed there. 

For first responders, AT&T has set up the FirstNet network, offering free phones and discounted wireless plans on a dedicated network to help guarantee uninterrupted connectivity and support for those on the front lines of the crisis.

For its internet customers, AT&T is providing unlimited home internet to current broadband subscribers through September 30, suspending all data caps in an effort to support telework.

Most AT&T stores are open and offering curbside service and contactless transactions. Masks are required at all times within an AT&T retail location, and the company is limiting the number of customers allowed inside in accordance with social distancing guidelines.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile also extended its FCC pledge efforts through June 30th. During that time, the carrier offered unlimited data to all T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers, as well as free calling to Level 3 international countries and an extra 20 GB of mobile hotspot data for those customers. Customers had until June 30th to opt in, with the extra data valid for 60 days from the day you added the feature to your account. 

These efforts have ended as of July 1, with the exception of New Jersey customers who previously opted in by May 1 for a 90-day grace period. T-Mobile encourages all other customers to contact them should they need to make further arrangements due to COVID-related financial burden. The carrier has also set up an online payment arrangement portal, which will allow customers to split up payments for any past-due bills.

To help customers handle their needs from home, T-Mobile has enabled online chats with retail experts through the carrier's website, Facebook Messenger, or Apple Business Chat. Customers can activate an account, pay their bill, upgrade their phone, or add new lines through this method. The carrier also encourages customers to make an appointment if they need to visit a T-Mobile retail location. Note that masks are required at all times while inside the store.

Lastly, T-Mobile announced the early launch of their T-Mobile Connect plan. The prepaid plan starts at just $15/month for 2GB of data along with unlimited talk and text. The early release of T-Mobile connect is part of the Un-carrier's aim to help customers save money yet stay connected throughout the pandemic.

Sprint

Similar to its now-parent company, T-Mobile, Sprint extended its relief measures outlined in the FCC pledge through June 30th. The carrier also provided free unlimited data for 60 days to all customers currently on any data plan, plus an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot data during the relief window.  Its 1Million Project school district participants, which receive 10GB of free high-speed wireless data per month, also got an additional 10GB of monthly data until June 30.

These additional measures and extensions ended on July 1. Sprint also had waived international calling rates to Level 3-impacted countries through May 31st for customers subscribed to an international long-distance plan. 

As of August 2, the Sprint brand has been fully incorporated into T-Mobile, including its website and phone plans. If you are a current Sprint subscriber and you still need additional relief due to COVID-related hardship, see the T-Mobile relief options outlined above, or contact T-Mobile to speak with an agent about further arrangements.

Cricket

AT&T subsidiary Cricket also stepped up to the plate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The carrier added 10GB of data to limited data plans for smartphone or hotspot use, as well as an extra 10GB of data of hotspot data to all unlimited plans. In both cases, the extra data was good for two billing cycles, which brought customers relief through August 1 at the latest. 

Cricket subscribers who find themselves still needing additional data are encouraged to explore the carrier's unlimited options. If you're experiencing financial hardship, Cricket's BridgePay option lets you split your monthly bill into two separate payments.

Cricket continues to partner AT&T to provide free access to at-home learning tools for students and families, including Khan Academy and Caribu.

Note that most Cricket stores are open 11AM-7PM Monday through Saturday and 12PM-5PM on Sundays, though certain locations remain temporarily closed. You can use WhistleOut's cell phone plan comparison tool to shop online, or check out our best Cricket Wireless Plans guide. 

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile offered free unlimited data add-ons through June 14th. Though the perk has ended, the company states it will "continue to find ways to make it easy for [customers] to stay connected."

Boost Mobile

Sprint-owned prepaid carrier Boost Mobile offered an extra 20GB of mobile hotspot to all customers subscribed to an unlimited data plan. Those on data-capped plans received 20GB of data on top of their plan's limit. The carrier has not announced plans to extend or add further offers.

Gen Mobile

Gen Mobile is a small carrier that runs on Sprint's network. Gen's COVID-19 measures include an additional 5GB of data for customers on plans $15/month or higher, as long as customers signed up by June 1, as well as an extended grace period of 30 days for unlimited text messaging after plan expiration. 

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular is yet another carrier committing to extending the protections laid out in the FCC connectivity pledge. In addition to these, the carrier also waived all data overage charges through June 30th and offered 15 GB of extra hotspot data to customers on an Unlimited Everyday or Even Better plan through July 31. Customers on limited data plans also received provide SD-quality speeds even in the event of a monthly data overage, rather than throttling back to 2G speeds. These relief measures have ended as of July 31st.

How to Stay Updated with Your Wireless Carrier

WhistleOut's COVID-19 wireless update hub will keep you up-to-date on all the happenings within the industry throughout the coronavirus pandemic. To stay connected with your specific carrier, each major provider offers a central update center where customers can receive the latest information on what their provider is doing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including additional relief measures as they’re rolled out.

Lauren Hannula

Managing Editor

Lauren is WhistleOut's Managing Editor. With over 14 years of digital writing and publishing experience, she's developed a passion for breaking down overly complex topics to offer easy, affordable solutions that help make the most of the tech you already have in your pocket. Her work has appeared in industry stalwarts such as CNET, Yahoo! News, and Forbes.

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