Why Verizon Is Offering Some Consumers Free Service
Verizon, along with AT&T and T-Mobile have started offering free service to Florida residents impacted by hurricane Ian.
Hurricane season came with a vengeance this year. Floridians braced for Hurricane Ian, which made landfall yesterday as a catastrophic Category 4 storm. Many companies are mobilizing to help impacted customers, including Verison, which offered some users good news – free service.
Before Ian arrived, Verizon started working diligently to ensure everyone’s affected communication needs get met. Small business and residential customers will receive unlimited data, texting, and calling through October 4th. Those in a set number of areas automatically qualified for the program.
According to CNET, residents and business owners in Pinellas, Hardee, Polk, Charlotte, DeSoto, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Lee had their prepaid and post-paid accounts automatically enrolled. Other customers in the area can also check on their eligibility status. Verizon set up a relief website page to punch your zip code in for verification.
But their help does not stop there. The communication company also partnered directly with public safety agencies and first responders to ensure their needs get met. Their free communication support included charging stations, portable cell sites, and Wi-Fi hotspots, along with a few additional services.
The consumer vice president of Verizon provided a statement explaining why the company was taking these steps. He said, “Hurricane Ian has already disrupted the lives of millions of Floridians. We hope this offer gives our customers one less thing to worry about so they can focus on staying safe.”
It is not the first time Verizon has stepped up to the plate to assist in natural disaster emergencies. In the past, they have partnered with first responders and emergency services agencies to ensure communication lines remained open during floods and fires. Thankfully, they are also not the only mobile carrier to assist in the current Florida crisis.
Other leading carriers have offered their own support to customers directly impacted by Ian. T-Mobile has offered unlimited text, talk, and data, but with a different ending date. Customers can expect the help through October 3rd.
And like Verizon, they were ready to serve with portable generators, Wi-Fi trailers, and mobile command centers. Additionally, they will work directly with shelters housing evacuated residents to ensure the networks remain up and running. They have other mobile resources standing by should the need arise.
The assistance for AT&T customers is far more expansive than that from Verizon and T-Mobile. They will waive any overage charges for talk, text, and data on pre and post-paid accounts. However, they have extended this benefit until October 28th.
Additionally, AT&T assistance is available for a greater portion of Florida. Residents in over 800 zip codes are included in the program. A spokesman stated that they were working hard to ensure connectivity remained.
Everyone in Florida now facing Ian’s wrath will welcome news about any available assistance. The storm veered off its projected path just before making landfall, thus impacting a greater area than meteorologists had anticipated. It brought a significant storm surge that had previously wiped out the entire power grid in Cuba.
The direct financial help from Verizon and the other carriers will help. But perhaps more importantly is the news that mobile support is on its way. Many loved ones eagerly await the restoration of communications so they can hear from those who weathered the storm.
