This week, Comcast announced its decision to suspend implementation of data caps beyond July 2021 and, minimally, through the end of 2021, as the result of pressure from Energy and Technology Committee leaders including Senate Chair State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), House Chair State Representative David Arconti (D-Danbury), Ranking Members State Senator Paul Formica (R-East Lyme) and State Representative Charles Ferraro (R-West Haven) as well as Connecticut Attorney General William Tong. In late 2020, Comcast announced it was imposing a 1.2-terabyte monthly data limit on its customers starting in early 2021; that data cap was initially rolled back with a target reinstatement of July until the agreement was struck.
As a result of this decision, customers will not have internet usage limited or slowed down in any way, nor will they face fees for going over caps. If the data plan went into effect, customers would have been charged $10 for every additional 50GB of data used over the 1.2 terabytes, with a maximum charge of $100 per month.
“We are delaying implementation of our new data plan in our Northeast markets until 2022,” Comcast announced in a statement. “We recognize that our data plan was new for our customers in the Northeast, and while only a very small percentage of customers need additional data, we are providing them with more time to become familiar with the new plan.”
“In past weeks, we have spent many hours interfacing with Comcast’s upper management in an effort to bring about this result, and we deeply appreciate both their open door and willingness to do what is right for the consumers of the State of Connecticut,” the Energy and Technology Committee Leaders said. “As we are still in the grip of COVID-19, with many citizens still working and learning from home, the need for robust, unlimited, high-speed internet has never been more critical. We want to make certain that this service continues to be available at a cost that does not cripple individuals and families fiscally. Moving ahead, we look forward to continuing our conversations with Comcast’s leadership to make sure quality high-speed internet access is available to all our citizens at affordable rates.”