Several Telecoms Upgrading Internet Speeds

Broadband companies are making it easier and cheaper to work at home in the COVID-19 era.

USAToday reports Cable giant Cox said it will upgrade internet speeds for select residential packages for folks working at home and extending support services for loading applications like online classroom support and web conferencing services.

And the Dish Network said it would provide its entire portfolio of 600 MHz spectrum to T-Mobile at no cost for 60 days. "The step was taken as the nation responds to the spread of COVID-19, which has led to the closure of businesses, schools and large gatherings coast to coast."

DISH's 600 MHz spectrum will enhance T-Mobile's network nationwide as wireless users increasingly turn to mobile networks for work and personal use, Dish said.

Both Cox and Dish join companies like Comcast, which previously said it increased the speeds and lowered the cost of its entry-level Internet Essentials' low-income internet service – effective Monday, offering 60 days of free service, to qualified low-income households, which is normally $9.95 monthly.

Furthermore, Comcast is boosting internet speeds for the service to 25/3 megabits per second, from 15/2 Mbps. The company also said Friday it would make hot spots available for free to anyone who needed them, including non-customers and will stop charging overages for people who go over their monthly data caps, effective for the next 60 days.