Spectrum drops fees for students, workers stuck at home

Internet service provider, Spectrum says it will provide free internet access to students as school systems across the US closed down in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Spectrum will install broadband and WiFi in new student households free of charge and provide access for 60 days.

The offer is available to families with both K-12 and college students.

The company says it will also open its WiFi hotspots to the public.

Spectrum Internet service is available in 41 states across the country.

Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum, was one of the telecoms that took up the FCC’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge last week.

As part of the pledge, it said it wouldn’t cancel service for people who have trouble paying their bills as a result of the current outbreak.

The company agreed to waive late fees for the time being as well.

Like Charter, some companies have tried to do more than the FCC asked for.

For instance, this weekend MVNO Mint Mobile started giving out free data to anyone who needs it.