As our company responds to COVID-19, the health and safety of our employees and customers remain our top priority. The work we do is critical to millions of people and companies around the world, and we’re committed to being there when our customers and colleagues need us most. Here’s how we’re responding.

The health of our employees is a top priority. To help minimize the risk of exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19), we have implemented several corporatewide precautionary measures.  AT&T has significantly reduced the number of retail stores operating, and those that are open ensure that we’re able to serve FirstNet first responders, healthcare workers, government users and other customers. Additionally, we have about 130K employees working from home. But more than 90K of our frontline employees –  our heroes – whose work serving customers cannot be done from home – are out in the field. These employees are in jobs considered essential by U.S. Department of Homeland Security because they are on the front lines providing critical connectivity to hospitals, first responders, government and other vital businesses.

For our customers, each day is literally a new one in terms of what is needed across nearly every industry. As countries, states, and counties declare new emergencies and as social distancing requirements change or emerge, the connectivity needs of our customers are dynamic from day to day.  And their needs vary largely by industry, especially for those who are battling COVID-19 firsthand. As we’ve all seen, the impacts of the virus are dynamic and rapidly evolving.

For the public safety community, we’re focused on keeping police, fire, emergency services and healthcare professionals connected over FirstNet. On the frontlines in quarantine zones, military bases, pop-up clinics, hospitals, and more, FirstNet is providing a reliable, dedicated lane of connectivity.

In near real time, we’ve connected trauma centers, pop-up testing locations and makeshift hospitals. Our network solutions connect doctors to critical information, collect life-saving data, and they allow those who are ill, the most vulnerable to connect with their families.

In education, we’re helping students from grade school through high school stay connected.  It’s about  providing the right tools and services to help educators and students accomplish what they previously could do in the classroom, while in their homes.

In light of COVID-19, we stayed true to this focus with an increased emphasis on remote learning tools by establishing a $10 million Distance Learning and Family Connections Fund.  Through the fund, we’ve made contributions to organizations like Khan Academy and Caribu, helping us address a critical need brought by the pandemic while remaining true to our long-term Corporate Social Responsibility strategy.

And for small businesses, we’ve pledged to waive late payments and won’t disconnect consumers because of inability to pay caused by COVID-19 economic hardship through May 13, 2020.

We think it’s important to note that regardless of industry, the common thread is the connection to people.

Visit the AT&T COVID-19 Response site for full details and updates.