Microsoft Word - Phones_Internet

Intro:

As it relates to COVID-19 and working remotely, Procurement has attempted to share some guidance and

helpful tips below that may help folks as they attempt to work remotely. As most cellular phones and

devices can be turned into mobile Hot Spots through tethering or Wi-Fi sharing there should be no

increased cost in doing so. Many carriers are removing data limits and speeds in this time of need. Specific

instructions for each device can be found with a simple google search. If your device or current plan does

not support such features or location un-suitable for this action the following are No Cost or Reduced cost

options that can be utilized.

No Cost Options:

Charter Spectrum

This provider will offer free Spectrum broadband and WiFi access for 60 days to households with students

in kindergarten through 12th grade or college students who don't already have a Spectrum broadband

subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. The installation fees will be waived for new student

households. To enroll, call 844-488-8395.

Comcast

This provider will offer new residential customers who qualify its $9.95-per-month Internet Essentials

program free for 60 days.

Sparklight

This provider says it's making unlimited data available on all internet services and waiving late fees for the

next 30 days. Customers can call to arrange payment deferrals, Sparklight adds.

City Specific Free Wifi

Greenville: https://www.wifimap.io/3000-greenville-free-wifi *With any Free Wi-Fi please use the VPN.

Seneca Free WiFi hotspot Map https://www.wifimap.io/6914-seneca-free-wifi/map.

Charleston Free WiFi hotspot Map https://www.wifimap.io/3001-charleston-free-wifi

Anderson Free WiFi hotspot Map

Network to secure your internet traffic. Contact CCIT if you need assistance with VPN

Low Cost Options:

AT&T

This provider will suspend data caps for its fixed internet service. It also offers a $10-a-month Access From

AT&T program for qualifying low-income households.

Charter

For eligible low-income households without school-age children, Charter offers Spectrum Internet Assist, a

low-cost broadband program delivering speeds of 30 Mbps. Spectrum doesn't have data caps or hidden fees.

Comcast

This provider will offer new residential customers who qualify its $9.95-per-month Internet Essentials

program free for 60 days. The company says it will boost its internet service speeds from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3

Mbps, which qualifies the service as high-speed broadband under FCC guidelines. Comcast will also

suspend data caps for 60 days and refrain from disconnecting service or charging late fees for customers

who contact the company regarding overdue payments.

Cox Internet

Starting Monday, new customers can receive a free month of internet service in the company's

Connect2Compete plan, available to qualified low-income households for $9.95 a month. The company is

also fast-tracking the application process to get families connected more quickly.

This provider will make its Complete Care support program free to all residential customers who have

technical issues or need assistance installing features like education software or teleconferencing. The

company is going to increase internet speeds from 25/3 Mbps to 50/3 Mbps for 60 days for the Starter,

StraightUp Internet, and Connect2Compete packages, and speed up the implementation of a 50Mbps

upgrade for users of Cox's Essentials service. That upgrade had been scheduled for later in the year.

HTC

This provider is offering the same benefits as AT&T.

Northland

This provider offers a $25.00 a month package for New Residential customers. No mention of installation

or cancellation fees. No COVID-19 Memo found on their website.

T-Mobile

This provider has no data cap for its home internet service. All current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile

wireless customers who have cell-phone plans with data will be granted unlimited smartphone data for the

next 60 days (excluding roaming). They'll also receive an additional 20GB of mobile hot spot/tethering

service for those two months. The company is working to provide Lifeline low-income customers with up to

5GB of free data per month over the next two months.

Verizon

This provider recently increased speeds at no extra cost on some mid-tier FIOS services, bumping the 100

Mbps tier to 200 Mbps and the 200 Mbps tier to 300 Mbps. The company reports that it places no data

caps on its home internet broadband services. Verizon also offers a low-cost Lifeline plan for qualified

families.

Sprint

This provider has two plans for hotspot connectivity.

• $22.99 unlimited per device, per month. Six-month commitment. Refurbished hotspots

at no charge.

• $15.00 10GB plan per device, per month. $10 onetime charge for hotspot.