TCA NEWSLETTER
Latest industry news in Texas and around the country.
NETWORKS
STAYING
STRONG
CABLE
KEEPING
KIDS LEARNING
CABLE
ENTERTAINING
AT HOME
CABLE CONNECTING DURING COVID-19
With all Texas now under a “stay-at-home” order from Gov. Greg Abbott because of COVID-19, broadband is providing a crucial lifeline to the world beyond the walls of our homes.

Texas Cable Association members – Altice USA, Charter Spectrum, Comcast and Sparklight – are working harder than ever to help Texans and the nation weather this unprecedented global pandemic. Cable is committed to keeping you connected, especially in times of crisis.

All four Texas Cable Association members are among the first U.S. cable and telecommunications companies in mid-March to sign the  FCC’s “Keep Americans Connected Pledge.”  Companies that sign the pledge promise that, for the next 60 days, they will not cut off broadband or telephone service to any customers, even those unable to pay their bills; waive late fees incurred because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and open their Wi-Fi hotspots to all.
BROADBAND BOOMING, NETWORKS STAYING STRONG
Whether it’s ordering groceries, working from home, attending school or just staying entertained, broadband use is booming. 

With so much demand on the internet, reliability is essential. Cable, with about  two-thirds of all broadband subscribers  in the United States, is meeting that challenge, thanks to internet speeds that  have quadrupled  in the last few years.
CABLE KEEPING KIDS LEARNING
For a number of years, cable companies have made low-cost internet available to low-income families with children who qualify for the National School Lunch program. 

As it became clear in mid-March that COVID-19 would impact education – and Texas public schools are now online only for the foreseeable future – cable operators stepped up their programs to make sure that learning would not be interrupted for students from kindergarten to college. In addition, companies also have opened their Wi-Fi hotspots to all, which expands broadband access.
CABLE ENTERTAINING AT HOME
With all Texans under order not to leave home, with few exceptions, and nowhere to go anyway with all non-essential businesses closed, cable is stepping up to keep you entertained. 

TV viewing is skyrocketing, at all times of the day.
CABLE CARES
  • The Texas Cable Association is working closely with state leadership to make sure Texas has the tools it needs to help our state during this time, including using our capabilities to get credible, accurate information out to Texans. As part of this commitment, our members Altice USA, Charter Spectrum, Comcast and Sparklight are donating air time to run a Public Service Announcement by Gov. Greg Abbott which promotes simple and effective ways for Texans to respond to the coronavirus. 

  • Members of NCTA-The Internet & Television Association – which include TCA’s member companies – have committed to provide over $100 million worth of public service ads through June to help educate the public about the COVID-19 pandemic and how to curtail the virus' spread.

  • Top executives at Comcast are donating 100% of their salaries to COVID-19 related charities for the duration of the crisis, in addition to providing $500 million to aid its own employees.

  • Sparklight and the other Cable One family of brands have donated $150,000 to the Meals on Wheels America COVID-19 Response Fund and $150,000 to local food banks in the markets Cable One serves in 21 states, including Texas. Company associates are also making masks for first responders, sending gift baskets and hot meals from local restaurants to hospitals and police and fire stations for first responders, and donating books to senior centers, among other relief efforts.

  • Charter Spectrum announced April 2 it is raising its minimum wage permanently to $20 an hour. The increase will be phased in through 2022, but implementation starts immediately for frontline field technicians and customer service call center employees who are providing critical services to the company’s customers, communities, emergency relief workers and government entities.
Texas Cable Association | www.txcable.com