BY KAREN BOSSICK

Cox Communications announced on Friday that it is increasing internet speeds, offering free technical support and implementing additional resources to support residential customers during the coronavirus pandemic.

“As learning and work for many shift to the home, we want customers to have access to the internet speeds and resources that help them remain productive,” said Pat Esser, president and chief executive officer of Cox Communications.

For the next 60 days residential customers in the company’s Starter, StraightUp Internet and Connect2Complete packages will be upgraded to speeds of 50 Mbps.

Cox is extending its Cox Complete Care remote desktop support to those tiers at no charge to help residential customers load new applications they may need to use, such as online classroom support applications and web conferencing services.

Essential customers will be upgraded from 30Mbps to 50Mbps immediately.

In addition, the company will not terminate service to any residential or small business customer because of inability to pay bills due to disruptions caused by the pandemic. And it will waive any late fees that both groups incur because of economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cox will also open Cox WiFi hotspots to help the public stay connected.