Internet Resources for Wisconsin Residents during Public Health Emergency
Traducción de Español (Out-of-Date)
PSC Internet & Phone Helpline - 608-267-3595
The PSC has established their Internet & Phone helpline for Wisconsin consumers. Please dial 608-267-3595 to speak with dedicated PSC staff or leave a voicemail.
Phone: 608-267-3595
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
Updated 4/8/2021
This federal benefit program is funded with $3.2 billion through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The program offers temporary discounts of up to $50 per month ($75 on Tribal Land) off of eligible household’s internet access bills. In some cases. low-income households can also get discounts on a laptop, desktop, or tablet computer. The broadband providers will receive the money directly for providing service to an eligible household. Providers may apply to participate starting March 8. The program is expected to start around April 26 for customers. The program ends six months after the public health emergency or when the federal money is depleted. Participation by internet service providers is voluntary.
The list of participating providers is not available yet. Eligible households for the benefit include:
• A household’s income must be at or below 135% of the
Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of that size
• At least one person in the household must receive benefits from one of the following federal assistance programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), FoodShare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
• At least one person in the household is in the free and reduced-price lunch program or the school breakfast program (including the Community Eligibility Provision)
• At least one person in the household has been laid off or furloughed since February 29, 2020 and the household has an income of less than $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers
• At least one person in the household has received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year; or at least one person in the household can participate in their broadband provider’s existing low-income or COVID–19 program.
• If a household is located on Tribal lands, it is eligible if at least one person in the household participates in Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance, Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
Participating Providers in Wisconsin
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Website
More Information for Providers
Consumer Fact Sheet
Emergency Broadband Informational Overview (Presented Tuesday, March 16th) Recording (Requires Registration) Slides
Emergency Broadband Information for Schools, Libraries and Nonprofits (Presented Friday, March 19th) Recordng (Requires Registration) Slides
Wisconsin Public WiFi Locations Map
This mapping tool displays public WiFi locations that have been self-reported by entities and indivuduals to the PSC. The map displays hundreds of locations where citizens can go to use WiFi when it is not available at home while also maintaining social distancing during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
New locations are being added as they become available.
Charter and
Comcast/Xfinity also have mapping tools displaying their own WiFi locations in Wisconsin communities.
Wisconsin Public WiFi Locations Map Website
Internet Service Provider Offers
Several Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are offering free or low-cost internet access options in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. These services are offered in the areas each ISP serves, or as otherwise described.
This listing will be updated as more information becomes available. This list is not guaranteed to be complete, or an endorsement for the companies listed. The PSC is not liable for inaccuracies. If you are aware of any additional programs, please
contact the PSC.
The maps below highlight the approximate coverage of each ISP listed in red.
24/7 Telcom & West Wisconsin Telcom Coop.
24-7 & West Wisconsin Telcom will offer free broadband and WiFi access for 60 days to households with K-12, college students or anyone who needs a broadband connection to work remotely. Must be a new Broadband customer to qualify and where 24-7 & West Wisconsin broadband is available.
24/7 & West Wisconsin Website Program Webpage
To enroll, call (715) 231-2000 or (888) 247-2035.
AT&T
Automatically waiving home Internet data overage charges for AT&T Internet customers through June 30, 2021. That means new and existing AT&T FiberSM and AT&T Internet customers can use unlimited data and won’t see overage charges on their home Internet bill through June 30, 2021.
AT&T Website AT&T's COVID-19 Response Page Access from AT&T Program Page
Contact (800) 288-2020 for AT&T broadband, residential wireless, or small business services. Dial 611 from an AT&T device for wireless.
Bug Tussel Wireless
To help with the challenges facing school systems during the pandemic, Bug Tussel is offering a 30% discount for the 2020-2021 school year.
- Plans are free of data limits and speed throttling.
-
Existing customers qualify.
- Additional discounts available for educators.
Bug Tussel Website
If you have any qusetions or would like to check availability please contact us at 833-BTUSSEL or (877) 227-0924, or
Chad.Luebke@BugTusselWireless.com.
Charter Communications
On September 21st, Charter announced that they are relaunching their free 60-Day Spectrum Internet & WiFi Offer to help connect new households with K-12 and College Students or Educators
Charter Website
Press Release
Cirrinity/Wittenberg Telephone Company
Created free Wi-FI hotspots at their two office locations. These are meant for people to use from their car in the parking lot. Several other sites have been added at other locations in the rural Antigo area.
Cirrintiy/Wittenberg Telephone Company Website
COVID-19 message from CEO
Phone: (715) 253-2111 (Wittenberg) and (715) 623-0558 (Antigo)
Hiawatha Broadband Communications (HBC)
HBC made the decision to extend their pledge to its customers and small businesses. This extension includes:
- Free broadband service to low-income households. Eligible households must have school-aged children enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program or the Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP).
- Maintaining free access to Community Wi-Fi hotspots. For a list of locations visit the
HBC Website.
- Temporarily suspending disconnections of service due to failure to pay and waiving late fees for customers.
HBC Website
If you have any questions regarding the program, please call HBC at (888) 474-9995.
Mercury Network
In response the need for continuing education during the COVID-19 crisis, Mercury Network is making available a 60 day credit on new high-speed Internet service agreements for all K-12 and full-time college students.
This credit is available until further notice. Please be sure to mention the "Education Credit" when calling.
Mercury Network Website Phone: (920) 686-4800, Option 2
MHTC
For new customers that need to have access for a K-12 student, agree to a six month contract and receive six months at half price.
MHTC Website
MHTC Website for Connecting Students Phone: (608) 437-5551