Shallotte, NC – ATMC announced this week that the cooperative would extend its commitment to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Keep Americans Connected Pledge through June 30th. The initiative was created to ensure that Americans do not lose connectivity for telephone and internet services as a result of economic distress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the pledge extension, ATMC will continue to waive late fees and not disconnect telephone or internet services through the end of June.
“We recognize that many in our area are suffering from hardships during these difficult times and ATMC is proud to be able to extend its commitment to the Keep Americans Connected Pledge to help keep our customers connected,” commented Keith Holden, ATMC CEO.
The Keep Americans Connected Pledge does not include cable TV services, but ATMC has allowed customers with cable TV service to maintain their service without interruption in March and April if they were unable to pay due to economic distress caused by the pandemic. Because ATMC is responsible for paying monthly programming charges for customers receiving cable TV service, this extension of the Keep Americans Connected Pledge will not include cable TV service and cable TV subscribers who have past due charges for cable TV services will need to pay their balance in order to maintain cable TV service.
FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai, saluted providers like ATMC for making broadband available to Americans who increasingly rely on it for work, school, healthcare and communicating with loved ones. He added, “Companies representing the vast majority of broadband and telephone subscriptions have agreed to this extension. I thank them for stepping up to the plate once again during this national emergency.”
At the conclusion of the pledge, customers will be responsible for payment of all services received during the pledge period and are encouraged to make payments, if they can, to avoid having a large balance once the pledge term ends. For more information on the Keep Americans Connected Pledge, or to speak with an ATMC customer care representative, call 910-754-4311.
About ATMC ATMC is a member-owned cooperative providing a multitude of communications services, including telephone, business services, wireless, broadband internet, cable television, and ATMC Security, in Brunswick County, North Carolina. ATMC provides services in additional areas through its wholly-owned subsidiary, ATMC, LLC. ATMC is the largest communications cooperative in North Carolina and one of the largest in the country. For more information on ATMC products and services, visit
atmc.com.