Cable and Internet provider Comcast has put a plan to charge for data overages on hold in some parts of the country. Data usage has skyrocketed as more people have worked and gone to school from home during the pandemic.
The rise in streaming also contributes to increased data usage.
The company said it would suspend data caps in:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Parts of North Carolina
- Parts of Ohio
- The District of Columbia.
Comcast said it would delay implementing overage charges in these areas until July 2021. The decision is part of the deal the company cut with Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
“As Pennsylvanians continue to navigate this pandemic, we know millions are relying on the internet for school and work more than ever. This is not the time to change the rules when it comes to internet data usage and increase costs,” said AG Shapiro. “My office negotiated with Comcast to delay the implementation of these overage charges and waive any early termination fees for customers who opt out through December 2021. We also limited the impact of these changes on low-income households.”
Comcast agreed that it would not impose data caps on low-income users as well as make the data limits prominent in its terms of use. Also, anyone who wants to cancel their Xfinity services early won’t have to pay a termination fee.
Comcast said, “We appreciate the productive, open dialogue with Attorney General Shapiro’s office regarding the 1.2 TB data plan, and we understand that customers in Pennsylvania may need additional time to become familiar with the data plan. We are committed to evaluating and adapting our approach to best serve the needs of our customers, particularly in these challenging times. To that end, we are providing customers in our Northeast markets, including Pennsylvania, a total of over six months of notice before our data plan goes into effect so that they have ample time to understand their data usage and their service options, and plan accordingly. The earliest that the very small percentage of customers who exceed 1.2 TB of data could have any charges due under the plan is August 2021.”