Last July we made a bold prediction in an article headlined: “A BOLD PREDICTION: Lifeline Broadband will be here by the end of 2014”.
Well, in retrospect our prediction was a bit too bold, because 2014 came and went, but Lifeline Broadband remained as elusive as ever.
But now it appears that the Federal Communications Commission is finally on the verge of overhauling the Lifeline Assistance program, and it is widely anticipated that one of the biggest changes will be to include Lifeline Broadband (in one form or another). Lifeline has not seen any major revisions since back in 2012, so any new tweaks based on consumer need will indeed be welcome.
Lifeline Broadband would be tremendous news for the millions of low-income Americans who simply cannot afford any of current high-priced internet services available, and equally important, cannot afford to fall into the Digital Divide the separates America’s rich from its poor.
What makes us so confident that Lifeline Broadband is about to spring to life? Consider the evidence gathered by LifelineLaw.com:
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn has been signaling for months that she views the funding of broadband as an important goal for the program, including at a speech this past Monday at an NTCA event.
FCC staff have also asked for input from companies that participated in the FCC’s Lifeline broadband pilot program, which analyzed possible service packages and subsidy levels.
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel released a statement on Monday citing a recent Pew Research Center report that found that “Low-income households—and especially black and Hispanic ones—make up a disproportionate share” of the 5 million household in the United States with school-age children that lack broadband Internet access.
Commissioner Rosenworcel noted that “7 out of 10 teachers assign homework that requires Internet access.”
What will Lifeline Broadband look like? Will it be free for all low-income Americans like its first cousin, the free government cell phone program? Or will it be offered at a low, affordable price like its second cousins, Comcast’s Internet Essentials and CenturyLink’s Internet Basics?
We stand by some of the predictions made in that July 2014 article. Specifically, we believe:
Unlike the free government cell phone program, Lifeline Internet will probably cost low-income consumers $9.95 per month. We also believe that qualifications for the program will include participation in the same type of assistance programs required by the free government cell phone program.
Specifically, that includes Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP), Medicaid, National School Free Lunch Program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and an assortment of state assistance programs; or household income at or below 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (150% in a few states).
Was our earlier prediction wrong? Absolutely not. Was it overly optimistic? Absolutely.
We simply made the mistake of relying on the federal government to complete and analyze its pilot programs on a reasonable schedule.
Having confidence in the federal government is one mistake we won’t make again.
h/t: Lifeline Law
john suscavage says
when are u going to have a list of all 22 free intertnet co. with all there offers to compare
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Damn good question, John. The FCC has put a freeze on the Lifeline Broadband program and we’re waiting to see how long it lasts and what happens afterward. We cannot get any of our contacts at any of the free government cell phone companies to comment on the issue. We’ll give you an update as soon as we have one.
Bobbie Jane says
I am a very low income senior, but I am not in a HUD housing project. Why don’t they provide low income Internet for US??? I do not want to be in a HUD program. I want low income Internet. I am hanging on by my teeth, but I can’t get help unless I live in a HUD housing, what is the matter with these people.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There are other options available now, Bobbie. Go check out our other website, FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net. Many of these service providers are now offering steeply discounted cell phone AND internet service. Here’s where you can find a list of all the service providers in your state:
http://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Glen Brown says
How do I get internet service in the country on $ 1065.00 a month on social securety
Steve says
[Help millions of Americans access broadband Internet. Add broadband Internet to the modernization of the Lifeline program.]
If you want to be herd and counted as making an effort in your part of having a say in bring the above message to the FCC, follow the link below and sign the Petition.
Link-
https://www.change.org/p/federal-communications-commission-help-millions-more-americans-access-broadband-internet
3,051 supporters have signed this petition !
You can be the next one.
kathy says
I need to halt spending on the high cost of charges for land-line phone and internet that I currently have. It doesn’t get any better. However I do not have children and I am not on government assistance. I am in my 60’s. I work and I do not make a suitable income. I haven’t had t.v. in about 5 to 6 years because of it. Are there any programs out there for someone like me? I would appreciate an answer, Thank you.
Laurie Horst says
How do I get the low income internet????
Joseph Stout says
Is there a list I might put my name and email address on to receive future info on this program? To receive notice when this program is available?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Near the top right of the page you’ll see where you can subscribe to our email newsletter. That will deliver any new articles we publish (once every week or two on average). When the service is available, we will have articles on it.
James Coleman says
I receive public assistance and I am NOT GOING TO HANG MY HEAD IN SHAME. I receive it becuse I NEED IT. As for paople like Matt, well, why do you WASTE YOUR TIME even answering him. It is what he wants. There will ALWAYS be be people like him. They DO and SAY things to get you upset. A man or woman commits numerous murders to get the publicity.And what does the media do? They keep those people in the news. It is the SAME with Matt. He SAYS. tbings, then sits back and GLOATS when people reacts to his statements. So DON’T get upset and keep commenting on what he says..My thing is this; I can’t get the $9.99 internet service because my daughter lives with her mother. Well, I pay CHILD SUPPORT. I am helping SUPPORT my daughter, YET I DON’T QUALIFY? When my daughter needs something, she calls ME. I am NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I LOVE MY DAUGHTER. What I AM complaining about is that I DON’T. QUALIFY FOR THE INTERNET SERVICE. WHY? I say this to everyone reading this; PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU POLITICIANS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS. LET THEM KNOW THAT IF THEY DON”T SUPPORT YOU ON THIS, THEN YOU WILL GET THEM OUT OF OFFICE. PERIOD. YOU control the vote. Start your letters, emails, phone calls, etc.right now.DON’T WAIT. What tbe politicians SHOULD have told comcast was that if they don”t supply the service to ALL QUALIFYING POOR PEOPLE, THEN THEY DON’T GET WHAT THEY WANT, NO IF ANDS OR BUTS. AND IF YOU CAN GET YOURSELF A ROUTER, GET IT. AND THEN ASK AROUND WITH SOMEONE YOU KNOW WHO HAS WIFI IF THEY CAN HELP YOU SET YOUS WIFI UP . THEY MAY KNOW HOW OR THEY MAY KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN. TRY IT AND I REALLY DO BELIEVE YOU’LL BE SURPRISED AT THE RESSULTS..
mike says
Thank you to all trying to help us poor and financially challenged people.
Let me share in how I can afford Comcast internet and basic cable. It takes only about 45 minutes a year.
When my rate plan with Comcast is about to end its 9 to 12 month term, I call their customer service and let them know about the at&t offers I get for same services at cost of $49.99 ..includes broadband internet t And over 80 channels and 1 year of HBO ..5 HBO channels Free!
My parents don’t get HBO. But they pay about $43 more per month than I do!
Also, if sprint works where u are, they offer Nice android phones with Free Unlimited Talk, Text and data through FREEDOMPOP. LESS THAN $200 FOR TOP OF THE LINE SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 PHONE 4G LTE, NEXUS 5 PHONE SAME DEAL.
FREEDOMPOP.COM HAS LIST OF PHONES THAT COME WITH FREE 360 DAYS SERVICE…
CHECKout whistle out.com to compare their prepaid services. Phone_data.
DID U KNOW YOU CAN HAVE 5 LINES FOR $100 PER MONTH, INCLUDING TAXES, FEES,!!!!! AT&T OWNS CRICKET..EXCELLENT, SUPER COVERAGE. FOR $20 PER LINE TALK, TEXT AND HIGH SPEED DATA$$$$$$#####WOW.
MY SISTER, NIECE, NEPHEW, MYSELF, FIANCE ALL USE RHIS PLAN. THERE IS ONE BILL FOR $100 PER MONTH. TOTAL.. FOR THE QHOLE FAMILY / GROUP.
SAVE MONEY. KEEP OR ENHANCE YOUR LIFESTYLE.
STOP THROWING YOUR MONEY AWAY, IT ADDS UP TO OVER $100 PER MONTH I SAVE.
GOD BLESS. LOVE TO ALL.
Mike
John says
All2EZ Dialup for $5 a month. With basic phone I pay $25 a month. Great for email and light surfing.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Dial up is way too slow for anything on the web today. Even at $5 it’s overpriced.
Irene Tron says
Hopefully Lifeline will be available sooner than later. My husband and I have a fourteen year old we are raising. We pay over $68 per month for limited bandwidth. Yes you guessed it! Our granddaughter consistently runs out the bandwidth before the end of the month. Even though we plan on working until 70, we do not work as much as we have in the past. This will be a welcomed relief.
colleen says
Absolutely NO MENTION of what ISP will be offering this lower cost internet connection to low income people. This article is yet another bunch of fluff and hype. Utter waste of my time reading it.
Please post something when you actually have NEWS – not speculation about “something yet to come at an unannounced and unknown time in the future”.
dana goad says
This program would seem like heaven to me. My family lives on a fixed income and with water bills over $100 monthly along with high food costs I had considered ending my cable and internet bundle
Tim B says
Thanks for all you do for people , im on disability and its so hard to pay 45 dollars each month with ATT, they raised my prices 19.99 to 45 dollars the last 8 years from 1999 till now, i need the internet and do without now!! its my only life and help i have !!
CK says
If, I understand correctly, this offer is available to people who do not have a school aged child in the home. Does anyone know for sure?
When this program becomes available, do we sign up and only a certain # of people with the above qualifications will be eligible???
Perhaps chosen on a first come, first served availability?
Mark says
Lifeline for Internet is very needed program for low income people like me. Because all prices around( I mean food, rent, TV and etc.) are going up much faster then my Social Security benefits.
Natalya Leytman says
Thank you so much for your work. If we get a Lifeline for internet, it will be a dream come true. I am a senior citizen on a budget and have a very hard time paying $60 just for internet with Optimum provider. Thank you again.