Cellular Carriers Add Extra Data in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Story Last Updated: 6/1/20 (text version only)

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a tremendous impact on all of our lives. For many people, cellular connectivity is becoming more and more important as people are being required to work at home.

As RVers and boaters who have already relied heavily on our cellular connections, we are feeling some of this impact as well.

The four major carriers and their subsidiaries, as well as some of the MVNOs, have recognized the increased demand for cellular connectivity, and have issued statements on actions they are taking to help. Many of them are offering additional data and making changes to their day-to-day business operations.

This article compiles a list of all the actions of interest to mobile internet users taken by cellular carriers and 3rd party providers to address this situation.

We will continue to monitor this situation and will update this story with new information as it becomes available.

Video Version

Note: The video version was filmed and published on Mar 26, 2020 - carrier responses since that date are included in this article but not this video.

 

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Verizon

• 4/16 Update: Verizon is including nurses and teachers with military and first responders in benefiting from up to $40 off when combining Verizon unlimited wireless and Fios internet plans.
• (4/22 Update: Verizon is offering another month (May 1-31st) of 15GB data boosts.) Verizon has added 15GB of high-speed data added to all consumer and small business wireless customer accounts.
  • Customers on unlimited plans will see the extra 15GB of data as hotspot data.
  • This applies to all customers - postpaid, prepaid, and data-only plans.
  • The extra 15GB will be available from March 25 through April 30.
  • No action is necessary to receive the extra data, it will automatically be applied to accounts.
• Overage charges and late fees will be waived for customers who are financially affected.
• Waiving activation and upgrade fees.
• Closing some retail stores.

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• Offering assistance to anyone who needs help paying their bill due to unexpected financial impact - just open a chat window and inquire about assistance if you need it.

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AT&T

• 4/12 Update: AT&T is giving nurses and physicians 3 months of free FirstNet Service.
• 6/1 Update: This plan is no longer available, and users on this plan will be moved to a $30/2GB plan effective July 15.  AT&T is adding a $15 plan that includes 2GB of highspeed data and unlimited talk and text. Plan is for a "limited time."
• 3/30 Update: AT&T is adding 15GB of high speed mobile hotspot to all of their unlimited plans from April 2 - May 13. 
• Will waive overage charges for consumer and business customers due to financial impact.
• Closing some retails stores and limiting store hours.
• AT&T Prepaid customers with capped data plans will automatically be granted 10GB extra data per month for 60 days, starting March 27.
• AT&T Prepaid customers on the Unlimited Plus plan will receive an extra 10GB of mobile hotspot data per month for 60 days, starting March 27.
• AT&T is also offering a new limited-time plan, without activation fee, for current or new customers of 2GB of data for $15, with unlimited talk and text.
• Home internet customers now have unlimited data.

Cricket

• Customers on both the $55 and $60 unlimited plans will receive 20GB of mobile hotspot data for two billing cycles (10GB per month) starting March 27.
• Customers on the $30/2GB and $40/5GB plans will receive an extra 10GB/month for two billing cycles. The extra data can be used either on-device or as mobile hotspot, starting March 27.
• 6/1 Update: This plan is no longer available, and users on this plan will be moved to a $30/2GB plan effective July 15.  Cricket is also offering a new limited-time plan, without activation fee, for current or new customers of 2GB of data for $15, with unlimited talk and text.

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T-Mobile

• All smartphone plans without unlimited data will get unlimited data for 60 days, starting March 13. **Extended until June 30.**
• All smartphone plans that include hotspot data will get an extra 20GB of hotspot data starting March 20 (10GB per billing cycle). **Extended until June 30.**
• Any equipment orders placed online will receive free 2-day shipping.
• Customers who are having difficulty paying their bills due to the financial impact of the pandemic are encouraged to contact T-Mobile for support.
• T-Mobile will roll out more spectrum, specifically on band 71, for 60 days to increase capacity.
• Expanded roaming access for Sprint customers, allowing them to use the T-Mobile network.
• Closed 80% of retail stores until March 31.
• As retail stores re-open, new procedures will be in place, such as employees opening/closing the doors, limits on the number of people inside the store, and and face masks on all employees. T-Mobile has also increased their online services so customers can place orders online and then pickup items either curbside or inside the store.
• Rolled out new T-Mobile Connect plans early. This plan is a smartphone plan for $15/month and includes 2GB of high-speed data and unlimited talk and text.
• To help customers who are staying home, T-Mobile giving customers two free months of YouTube Premium as part of T-Mobile Tuesdays.
• Update 4/20: T-Mobile has added plan add-ons called “Stay Connected 50%” and “Stay Connected Data 3GB Capped." These are available only by request by speaking with a T-Mobile representative. This promo will give you 50% off of your bill, but it will hard cap your data at 3GB. You will then return to your normal plan automatically after three months, or you can request to go back to your normal plan at any time during the three months.

Metro by T-Mobile

• For the next 2 months, a new $15 plan (available for 60 days) that includes 2GB of high-speed data and unlimited talk and text. The 2GB of data is a hard cap - there is no data available after 2GB.
• Metro hotspot devices will be on sale for half-off for 60 days, and the $35 data-only plan will include 20GB of data (as opposed to the normal 10GB) for 60 days.

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Sprint

• All smartphone plans without unlimited data will get unlimited data for 60 days, starting March 18.
• All smartphone plans that include hotspot data will get an extra 20GB of hotspot data starting March 20 (10GB per billing cycle).
• Expanded access to T-Mobile network for the next 60 days.
• Closed 71% of retail stores.

Boost Mobile

• As of 4/6, Boost is offering a limited-time plan that includes 2GB of high-speed data (with unlimited talk/text) for $15/month. This plan is available until May 12. After 60 days, the price of the plan will change to $30/month.
• Customers on both unlimited and tiered plans will get an extra 20GB of mobile hotspot data through April 30.
• Reconnection fees waived through April 30.

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Google Fi

• 3/31 Update: Google Fi has implemented a temporary 60 day missed payment grace period to their service. 
• 3/31 Update: Google Fi is temporarily increasing its limits for full speed data to 30GB per user, for both Flexible and Unlimited Plans. After you reach 30GB, you can choose to return to full-speed data for an additional $10/GB for the rest of your billing cycle. This policy change is effective as of: April 1, 2020. 

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MVNO Responses

A couple of the MVNOs that we track have offered up their own responses to the situation.

• Consumer Cellular - 25GB plan now includes 55GB of data, at no extra charge. Late fees are waived and accounts will not be suspended for non-payment.
• Mint Mobile - Offering customers "free unlimited data" through April 14 May 14 This data is provided through the ability to purchase 3GB boosts on an account, and then be refunded for the 3GB within 24hrs. Customers are only eligible for another 3GB after they have used 95% of their current data session. Mint Mobile permits mobile hotspotting from smartphone devices on their plans. 
• (4/2/20 Update) Republic Wireless - offering a $20 'unlimited data' (30GB - with an override feature) lift that can be added to any plan with data on it. 
• Tello Mobile - Until May 29, Tello Mobile is offering to double data on all plans to all of its customers, both new and existing.
• (4/1/20 Update) Walmart Family Mobile - patrons can text a number to receive information on additional data provisions based on the plan they are currently on. 
• (4/6/20 Update) Red Pocket is increasing the high speed data allowance on several of their phone and data-only plans. The plans are available for a "limited time" but their website does not clarify exactly how long the plans will be available.

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