OpenCape Spotlight

OpenCape Adopts FCC's "Keep Americans Connected Pledge" And Goes Far Beyond

Recently, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai emphasized the importance of keeping Americans connected as the country experiences serious disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak. And in order to ensure that Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity as a result of these exceptional circumstances, he specifically asked them to take the Keep Americans Connected Pledge.

The Keep Americans Connected Pledge reads as follows:

Given the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on American society, Internet Providers pledged for the next 60 days to:

1. Not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic;
2. Waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and
3. Open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.

OpenCape, the Barnstable-based nonprofit technology company that owns and operates our region's 100% fiber-optic network has adopted these measures and has gone even further. Chief Executive Steven Johnston said " After discussions with our Board of Director's on how we can best respond to the crisis, it was clear we should adopt these measures and even go beyond." OpenCape has already pledged to offer any existing customers 100% free Broadband upgrades upon request, in fact, we have already turned up over 47 organizations who have requested connectivity increases, everywhere from 50 Mbps to multiple gigabyte increases.