Data Usage/Cap during COVID-19
phendron381
Enthusiast - Level 1

While we all understand some things are unknown and fluid during the current pandemic, it has become apparent at least in our household that the current data cap on internet speeds is interfering with our ability to maintain productivity working from home and learning from home. Although Verizon offered an additional 15 GB of data for the billing period, with 2 individuals now working from home 5-6 days/week and 1 now completing a graduate degree from home 7 days/week that allowance has been surpassed very quickly. It is understandable that not every household will be experiencing the same internet usage circumstances. However, with the data cap in place for individuals not associated with a small business, it is becoming progressively harder to complete necessary tasks at the slowing internet speeds. I spoke with a Verizon rep who made it clear there was no getting around the slowing speeds currently unless we utilize 4G mobile hotspot data. While this surely would assist in speeds, it only goes so far in addition to living in an area that does not always carry a 4G mobile signal. For those of us who only pick up 3G signal from phones at home at times, hotspot data is not a possibility. So now the question becomes, will Verizon lift the data cap for internet speeds for households during this pandemic to allow us to work from home efficiently to ensure we do our part to flatten the curve? If releasing the data cap is not possible, then we put it to you Verizon, what can you do for us during this extended work-from-home and learn-from-home time?