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We’re written a lot about Connect2Compete, the national organization that’s come up with a way to bring high-speed internet access to America’s needy.
Approximately 100 million needy Americans don’t have broadband access at home and 62 million of them don’t have broadband access anywhere.
It’s a great program, and although there are a number of ways for low-income Americans to qualify for cheap internet access, remarkably low cost computers and free computer classes, the unfortunate fact is that many needy Americans do not qualify or live in areas outside Connect To Compete’s service area.
The good news is that they’ve worked out a deal with a company called Freedom Pop to offer a internet access to those people who can’t find affordable internet access anywhere else.
USA Today reports that, “Through partnerships with local Internet providers such as Freedom Pop, Comcast and Cox Communications, Connect2Compete will connect millions of low-income citizens to programs that offer free and low-cost Internet services. In areas where FreedomPop offers coverage, the company will extend an offer for a $49 “plug and play” router and free access to 1GB of wireless Internet service, with the option of an additional 12GB of service for $9.99/month, including free “auto-off” defaults to prevent overages.”
Needy Americans who fall through the cracks in the Connect To Compute program should also search CheapInternet.com for two other programs called “Internet Essentials” and “Internet Basics” that are offered by other corporations and organizations (such as Cox Communications and Comcast) that offer programs very similar to those offered by Connect To Compete.
Cheap internet is rapidly spreading across the country. Click around CheapInternet.com to find out if it’s available in your area.
Source: USA Today
HAROLD JACKSON says
SO- WHY IS IT THAT UTAH SEEMS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE TOTAL SCREWING OF ITS OWN PEOPLE- A FAMILY STATE -SO THEY SAY- YET EVERY TIME A COMPANY WANTS TO RAISE PRICES ON INTERNET – PHONE- UTILITIES- INSURANCE- THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY SUFFER- AND AT NO TIME DOES THE STATE GOVERNMENT ATTEMPT TO STOP THEM- OH… I FORGOT- ALL OF THESE CORPORATE COMPANIES HAVE PUT THEIR OWN IN GOVERNMENT OFFICE-
THE POOR SUFFER SO THE RICH LDS CHURCH CAN MAKE EVEN MORE-
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Well, it’s been a while since a religious bigot has graced this website with a comment.
Richard Geary says
I’m need low-cost internet, and I live in Oklahoma City.
Darrell Moncrief says
Internet Basics. I’m an adult college student on section 8 and I receive snap benefits but I do not have a child. Can I still get a computer for $149?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You can check out exactly which programs are available in your area by visiting EveryoneOn.org.
Christine L Merk says
I’m on SSDI and make just a little too much to qualify for Snap ect.. I qualified to a low-income tax credited governmental housing program this November. I need to access the internet to check my medical records, billing, and information from my doctors. My SSDI income is spent on basic needs (shelter, food and utilities) and lots of out of pocket medical\dental\ vision\rx bills. Being just is over the poverty line barely and I need a break with expensices. Can you help me with a plan in Post Falls, Idaho?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out all the low-income plans at the following link, Christine. Pay particular attention to a program called PCs for People:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
christine says
what company is associated with sanford nc . i dont know which one to sign up for
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Here’s where you can find a list of all the low-income internet plans, where they’re available, eligibility rules, and contact info:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Pat says
i am low-income in a Senior Mobile Home Park in San Juan Capistrano CA 92675. We have Cox as our TV/internet provider. What would be the lowest price I would be able to receive internet for? or TV/internet? My bill KEEPS GOING UP, it is now $117 for TV/internet. I can NOT afford it. I am on a retirement fixed income. Does Cox have anything available for low-income with no kids? I don’t care if I have to cancel for 90 days before I can get on it. If NOT Cox, any other provider in zip code 92675?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Ahhhh, lovely San Juan Capistrano. This comment moderator spent many years living next door in Dana Point.
There are a number of plans you should check out, Pat. We would imagine that you qualify for a number of them and that a number of them are available in your area. Here’s where you can check them out:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Clairetta Anderson says
What about us senior citizens on SSI and Snap programs? I haven’t seen any programs for cheap internet, in our area, Bloomington, MN. also known as Minneapolis 55420 that will help us. I have been forced to pay $75.69 a month-that’s with modem included.
I dropped Comcast’s cable service and now I have to pay a great deal more for internet? How is that fair?
I bought a Roku and installed inexpensive services. I guess they don’t like it so they are penalizing me. Well, I’m not paying $140 to $174 a month when I can get a lot better entertainment for only $22.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There’s a great plan (one of our favorites) that’s based right next door in St Paul, Clairetta. It’s called PCs for People and we have high hopes that they’ll be able to help you. You can find more info on the company at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Sue Reeh says
I would like to see if I qualify for low income Internet
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There are a number of low-income service providers, Sue. You can check them all out, see the qualification requirements, costs, where they are available, and contact info at the following link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Cheryl Naylor says
I have a dear friend, senior citizen, cannot afford internet. I and acouplr of friends would like to put our meger funds together do she can have internet. What price could we get to help her. This would be a gift to her.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Pricing all depends on which programs are available where she lives and which programs she qualifies for based on income. It sounds as if she may qualify for the low-income programs, so let’s start there. You can check out all the low-income plans at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Each program has different qualification requirements, and she won’t qualify for some of the programs because they require kinds in the household to qualify for the National School Lunch Program. If that’s the case and she doesn’t qualify, you should check out PCs for People, where eligibility is strictly based on income.
Then you should check out 4GCommunity at the following link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-cost-internet-service
There are no eligibility requirements whatsoever with 4GCommunity, but it is only available in areas served by the Sprint national cell network.
Good luck. We hope you can find a plan that works for your friend. It’s a shame that none of these plans have expanded to include more needy seniors.
Billie jo says
I think you all are awesome to gift this to her. Bringstears to my eyes to know that not All the goodness is gone in our people.
Safwa Noman Alaalla Mohamed says
I need cheep internet for my children who are learn at school and they needed for studies
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out all the programs discussed at the following link, Safwa. Look for one for which you qualify that’s available in your area:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Sheneka says
Is there any internet assistance for Cincinnati,OH? Please help!
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Click on the “Providers” link at the top of this page, Sheneka. It will show you all the programs along with lists of where they are available.
Karen Whitlock says
I am looking 4 internet service that I can afford Im on disability and work part-time
ka says
And we qualify for food stamps medical n lifeline phone too..Please help this is ka
ka says
Hi I’m low income my husband work only n we have 3 kids..can’t afford high pay Internet. .so I need help for low income internet for my kids that go school cuz they need it for school.
elaine sullivan says
HI, I am low income, 66 yo, qualify for life line land line phone service, food stamps. Is there a program in Germantown, Md. for wireless home internet? I did read your great
articles but could not find one. Your help would be appreciated. Thank-you for providing
this information.
Regards,
Elaine Sullivan
Robert M. Melton says
I(Robert Melton) am on SSI. I have ATT Universe now but I can’t afford there price. I am seeking the lowest monthly service price available.
Jay says
I’ve been unemployed or underemployed all my life. I am not quite old enough for Social Security to be paid to me. I don’t have anyone in the house who has school lunches. I would like to pay less for Internet. I sell a few used books on Amazon every month even though I have listed nearly 4000 books online. I didn’t make enough money for the past decade to need to file taxes. Any chance of getting free Internet that is moderate or high speed? Or low cost Internet? I was paying $75 per month for years (for undependable internet service) and recently started using another ISP which costs about $37 per month but seems more dependable.
david says
I am 69 years old on social security, how can I get low cost internet?
Dana says
I signed up with Freedompop after finding out about here and let me tell you, I was better off without it. They never explained they’re billing and I’m still trying to find out how I used over 20gb of data in 8 days causing my checking account to get overdrawn from being charged $10 every day plus the cost of equipment. My suddenlink was shut off because I couldn’t afford it so now what. I”m at my limit with freedompop’s device so they took all my money and then shut me off. BEWARE! Just make sure you’re educated about how you use data, I didn’t watch movies or anything like that so I’m still in the dark.
Terry says
Ivan,
Tiene que tener cuidado con todos esos servicios que dicen que son gratis o de bajo costo. La mayoria de las veces es un descaro. Lo que hacen es que dicen que dan tal y mas cual servicio para personas de bajos recursos para asi poder recibir dinero del gobierno, quien les paga, o recibir algun tipo de beneficio del gobierno. A las largas y a las cortas, generalmente lo que dan es un servicio que NO es igual a los que uno recibe si paga mas dinero. Por ejemplo, le dan una coneccion muy lenta, el uso esta limitado y despues de “X” numero de paginas de Internet que uno mira, cobran por uso (MB = megabyte). Dado a que la mayoria de las personas van a utilizar muchos mas MB or GB (gigabytes) de lo que dan, la persona recibe una cuenta mensual que no esperaba. Cuando uno suma lo que esta pagando mensualmente, lo que cobran por el quipo, y lo que cobran extra por sobrepasar el limite que imponen, uno acaba por pagar igual O MAS de lo que hubiera pagado con un servicio regular – o sea, un servicio diferente al que “supuestamente” es para personas de bajos recursos. Como dicen en este pais: “Uno recibe por lo que paga” (“You get what you pay for”).
IVAN MOREY says
Actualmente soy cliente de freedompop y estoy convencido que no brinda un servicio optimo y mucho menos barato. Y estoy en dias de rescindir contrato con ellos porque son unos sinverguenzas.
Hace 2 meses suscribi un ciontrato con ellos para pagar mensualmente $ 14.99 y 10 mb de uso mensual; pero resulta que les debo pagar el alquiler del dispositivo $ 8.00 y por alerta de uso $ 2.00 pagos que freedompop nunca los mencionó antes de hacer el contrato y a esto se suma el famoso ” exceso de uso” en donde inventan que estas a punto de superar tu cuota mensual de uso (10 mb) y cobran una penalidad antes de superar el uso establecido.
Para mi una computadora y el acceso a internet es primordial pero no pagando $ 25.00 mas tax mas exceso de uso(?) que da un total mensual de $ 35 al mes, sino un servicio barato y rápido a un precio accesible y razonable ya que en la actualidad trabajo ganado un sueldo que no llega al nivel de pobreza que en el pais es de $23000 al año.