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COVID-19: Telecom providers doing away with data overage fees, offering free television channels amid outbreak

A number of changes to residential phone, internet and cable service in effect until the end of April
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Some of Canada's largest telecommunications providers are temporarily waiving overage fees on internet usage and offering free television channels as Canadians hunker down in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A number of providers – including Telus, Shaw, Rogers and Bell – are waiving internet overage charges for residential customers, with at least one of those providers waiving roaming and pay-per-use fees for customers stranded outside of North America.  

The majority of the waived internet overage fees will be in effect until the end of April.

On Friday, Shaw announced that it will offer free access to its Shaw Go Wifi hotspots, a normally paid service for Shaw customers. 

A full list of hotspot and coverage area locations can be found on the Shaw website or Shaw Go WiFi Finder app.

Meanwhile, both Shaw and Bell are offering customers a number of free cable television channels on a free preview basis, including access to 24-hour news channels and children's programming. 

More information on the temporary changes to telecommunications due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak can be found in the following statements on COVID-19 from Shaw, Bell, Rogers and Telus.