Free Internet Offered During Coronavirus Shutdowns

MILWAUKEE, WI — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced that all K-12 public and private schools will be closed from March 18 through April 6.

With many Wisconsin families struggling with new realities, such as having their children home for three weeks, or trying to find ways to have children connect to the internet for remote-learning coursework, several cable companies with service in the area are offering free internet service to help families get through the break.

Charter

Charter Communications is currently offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to homes with K-12 or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps.

To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households, charter officials said.

Comcast

Comcast has also set up free internet access for families for the next 60 days under a variety of provisions.

According to company officials, Comcast will lift data restrictions on data plans and are suspending late fees and will not disconnect service if customers can't pay their bills for the next 60 days.

Comcast officials also said they're offering their internet service for low-income homes for free for 60 days. "New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month. Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream," Comcast officials said in a news release. Read more here.

AT&T

AT&T officials said they're also responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency in a variety of ways, including not terminating the service of any wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customer because of their inability to pay their bill due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

AT&T officials say they're also waiving any late payment fees that any wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customer may incur because of economic hardship related to the coronavirus pandemic. Company officials say they're also keeping public Wi-Fi hotspots open. AT&T officials are also lifting data restrictions for their home internet services.