CC Communications offers free connectivity to students who do not currently have broadband

A message from Mark Feest, CEO at CC Communications -- CC Communications shares your concerns about the potential for COVID -19 transmission within our community, and this is especially true when it comes to our friends and family who are most at risk of experiencing severe symptoms. While ensuring continued network availability is of the utmost concern, the safety of our customers and employees comes first. Safety Measures  CC Communications began to reduce employee density in the workplace last week by instituting telecommuting where possible, and creating more space between workstations. We have also instituted a disinfecting and social distancing routine based upon CDC recommendations. Outside Technicians -- Our technicians that visit your home to install new service or respond to a trouble ticket have been provided best practices, personal protective equipment, and disinfectent to keep both you and them safe. As this situation evolves, you may be asked certain questions prior to the technician coming on-site, so that we can assess whether there is a risk to our employee when entering your home or business. Please be considerate of the employee asking the questions, as they are doing so at my direction. They are also doing so for your protection, as we are taking these measures to avoid becoming a carrier from one home visit to another. If you have concerns about any of our practices, please call me directly at 775-423-7171 extension 1401.   Customer Service Center at 1750 W. Williams Ave. -- As with all of our buildings, our customer service center undergoes a disinfecting routine many times throughout the day, and all employees have been provided best practices to reduce risks to employees and customers alike. Of course, proximity and exchange of items such as documents, money, and credit cards, creates potential for the transmission of viruses. We ask that pay by phone or mail be utilized, and a credit or debit card when possible. We ask that you avoid our customer service building if you or someone in your home is sick, recently returned from overseas, has a fever over 100 degrees, or has been asked to self isolate. When inside feel free to utilize our hand sanitizer and provide several feet of distance between yourself and other customers and employees when possible. Again, it would be best if you could pay online or over the phone until this issue is resolved, and until then, we will waive all credit card and debit card fees associated with those payment methods. If you set up auto-pay and paperless billing, we will provide a $10.00 credit. If you have concerns about any of our practices, please call me directly at 775-423-7171 extension 1401. Connectivity Pledge -- CC Communications has adopted the Federal Communications Commission's "Connectivity Pledge" to agree to the following for at least the next 60 days: (1) "not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic; (2) "waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and (3) "open its WiFi hotspots to any American who needs them." K-12 Students, Teachers, and College Students -- CC Communications will provide broadband at no cost to K-12 students and teachers, as well as college students, who have been required to transition to online schooling and do not currently have a broadband connection at home. This service will be provided, where available, for the remainder of the semester. Please note that CC Communications is concerned with the safety of both those in your home, and that of our technicians who install the service. We consider it to be irresponsible to use this crisis to lure customers of other broadband providers with temporary discounts, and thereby place our employees at greater risk of transmission. This offer is not a marketing scheme designed to gain market share while being disguised as a public service. It is a no fee, no contract service for families that do not currently have broadband, yet need it now to complete schooling requirements. If you currently have a broadband provider, we WILL NOT place our technicians at risk just so a customer can get a free offer by switching providers. However, if you are a student or teacher that does not have broadband in your home, we are happy to help. Call 775-423-7171 extension 1450. Please understand that we do not know what the demand will be for this offer, and we will schedule installs as quickly as possible where available. Due to concerns I have with exposing our technicians and the public to potential risks, we are not currently actively marketing to new customers. As such, we anticipate the ability to quickly install for the limited number of students and teachers who do not already have broadband connections at home. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly at the email or phone number below. Best Regards, Mark Feest, GM/CEO, CC Communications, [email protected], 775-423-7171 ext. 1401         Sign up to receive updates and the Friday File email notices. Support local, independent news – contribute to The Fallon Post, your non-profit (501c3) online news source for all things Fallon.