New Year's Resolutions for Internet Service Providers in 2021

Wed, Jan 6, 2021 7:35 PM Internet Bundles Wifi

New Year's Resolutions for Internet Service Providers: We provided some constructive criticism to internet service providers for the coming year. Making New Year's resolutions is normal, but let's face it, we've all been through enough in 2020. So we're giving ourselves a break from a private to-do list this year and turning our attention somewhere else.

Let's have a look at the top providers of internet services and decide where they can change. Here is our list of New Year's resolutions for internet service providers, from what was promised in 2020 to what we should expect in 2021 (ISPs).

Quick glance to 2020

In 2020, we've got to give most ISPs a swift round of applause. With the introduction of COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2020, several major suppliers (from AT&T to Verizon to Xfinity) have switched rapidly to ensure the safety of their customers and workers and to keep their customers connected to the internet. Many internet providers implemented policies from March to June, such as:

- No charging late fees
- No disconnection of service
- discounts for the first-providers, students, and teachers
- Upping speeds
- Opening Wi-Fi hotspots to the public

Our wish for 2021

There is still space for change, even though many ISPs were more customer-focused in 2020. We've put together our final, top-five wish list for resolutions for internet companies looking forward to 2021.

1. That you continue with the policies that protect the safety needs of the users.
2. You will give sufficient internet access for every school-age kid and expand opportunities for remote learners and also teachers of all ages.
3. You will be more transparent about promotional rates, early termination fee,s, and other hidden charges.
4. Rather than low-pricing bait-and-switch, you will offer longer promotional periods or just cheaper internet plans overall
5. That you will build out infrastructure to provide wider coverage in rural areas

What businesses are pledging for 2021

What are internet service providers outlining as their personal touchpoints for the coming year, aside from our wish list? For 2021 and beyond, various big ISPs have posted their roadmaps.

AT&T's connect to Good initiative

"AT&T internet outlines its objectives as, according to its AT&T Roadmap to 2025, "improving the everyday lives of our customers, suppliers, and staff, changing the way we and our customers care for our environment and amplifying the collective strengths of our business and our communities to solve large challenges.

The 10-year plan, which begun last 2015 states very targetted goals such as:

- Expanding fiber access
- Giving discounted wireline broadband service where technically available within 21 state wireline footprint to low-income households.
- Collecting more than 20 million devices for reuse, refurbishment, or recycling.

The Energy Efficient Network of T-Mobile and continued COVID-19 response

The 2021 plans for T-Mobile have a strong focus on sustainability and renewable energy. T-Mobile has also joined the RE100 "to use 100% renewable energy by 2021" campaign. Plus, the organization is targeting a "95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions" for all T-Mobile facilities, including their "offices, retail stores, data centers, call centers, and network operations," according to T-sustainability Mobile's profile.

With regard to T-COVID-19 Mobile's assistance, "you can set up a payment arrangement online or dial 611 from your T-Mobile device to speak to your team of experts to find the best solution for you if you are experiencing difficulties paying your bill."

For more than eight million users, Spectrum doubles Broadband speeds

In early 2021, millions of Spectrum subscribers will receive the gift of faster internet, doubling their bandwidth from 100 Mbps to 200 Mbps. According to a recent Charter press release, Spectrum will 'automatically improve speeds for existing residential customers with new Spectrum Internet packages in these markets during the first quarter of 2021.'

Albany, NY; Beaumont, TX; Chattanooga, TN; Cheyenne, WY; Columbia, MO; Lexington, KY; Orlando, FL; Palm Springs, CA; and Rochester, MN are markets that form part of the increase in speed.

The Creative Learning strategy for Verizon

According to its Creative Learning section, Verizon internet focuses on "bringing 5G technology to schools" with a goal of "deploying it in 100 schools by the end of 2021."

In addition, Verizon is doing its part to minimize the homework gap: "Since 2012, the Verizon Innovative Learning program has provided more than $535 million in market value to help under-resourced communities bridge the digital divide in STEM education."

Xfinity Data Cap

Sadly, when it comes to meeting the needs of their clients, not all vendors are going in the right direction. Xfinity has opted to target more consumers with a data limit in a recent decision, even though millions of people are already working and going to school from home due to the pandemic.

"On top of that, according to Ars Technica, "Comcast is raising cable TV and Internet service prices on January 1, 2021, with price rises going to both regular monthly rates and hidden fees that are not included in advertised prices.

Our opinion on the internet service provider's future plans

Look at the "about us" page of almost every internet service and you can find news releases touting how the business helps the community. "Nevertheless, "studies show that about 60% of us make New Year's resolutions every year, unfortunately, only about 8% of us fulfill them," according to Inc.

So, what's the difference between getting your goals fulfilled and abandoning them? Making sure the S.M.A.R.T. formula is followed by the goals. That is, setting unique, measurable, attainable, appropriate, and time-bound objectives. Both AT&T and Verizon, for instance, do a decent job of setting concrete and observable objectives.