The Blue Grass State is the 41st most connected state and is home to 126 broadband providers.
There are 143,000 people in Kentucky with no access to broadband. No cable. No DSL. No fixed wireless. No mobile internet. Nothing.
Of the 4.4 million Kentuckians, 506,000 have access to only one wired provider. Of course, that means ISP (internet service provider) can old them hostage, raise rates, or alter the terms and conditions of their contract. Because those people have no competitive options). 186,000 are very frustrated by the fact that they are forced to cope with low data caps because fixed wireless or mobile broadband are their only sources of internet service.
The state also has some very unfortunate poverty statistics. The overall rate is 18.8%. The child poverty rate is 27%. The senior poverty rate is 14.0%. And the extreme poverty rate is 8.0%. Far too high, Kentucky, far too high.
But fear not, because CheapInternet.com knows a number of ways you can get high-speed broadband internet access at prices far cheaper than you ever imagined possible.
Low-Income Internet Options
Here is the internet’s most complete list of companies and organizations that offer low-income Americans low-cost, high-speed internet access. And when we say low-cost, we’re talking about plans whose prices range from free to $14.95 per month for broadband internet. Different companies offer different prices, different types of Internet (i.e., cable, DSL or mobile), and different ways to qualify, so check them all out to see which low-income program is right for you. Click on any of the programs below to see full details on what they offer.
- ConnectAll
- Spectrum Internet Assist
- Access from AT&T
- Comcast’s Internet Essentials
- Windstream
- EveryoneOn
- Mediacom
- SuddenLink
- PC’s for People
- Coming soon: Lifeline Broadband
Other Low-Cost Internet Options
What if you want to sign up for a cheap internet plan, but don’t qualify under the rules of the plans shown above? Or what if none of those plans are offered in your area? Luck may still be on your side, because there are other low-cost plans available for you if you know where to look. And at CheapInternet.com, we know where to look. Here’s a brief review of other low-cost options that may be available in your area.
- 4G Community
- Karma
- FreedomPop Mobile Internet
- FreedomPop Home Internet
- NetZero DSL
- NetZero 4G Mobile Broadband
Lifeline Broadband Pilot Programs
The Lifeline Assistance program, which offers free government cell phones to low-income Americans, has helped millions of needy Americans. The program has been so successful that the Federal Communications Commission decided to investigate the possibility of creating a similar program called Lifeline Internet or Lifeline Broadband.
Fourteen cable companies and service organizations were selected by the FCC to test pilot programs in various regions around the country. The pilot programs looked into the impact of various pricing plans, discounts, and equipment.
We expect the FCC to announce the results of the pilot programs and perhaps even announce the introduction of an official Lifeline Broadband (or Lifeline Internet) program before the end of 2014. Although you can no longer sign up nor participate in these programs, you may be interested in seeing what the future of free internet may look like in your state.
Unfortunately, none of the Federal Communication Commission’s Lifeline Broadband Pilot Programs were conducted in Kentucky.
Municipal Broadband Networks
Wikipedia defines a Municipal Broadband Network (often called Community Broadband Network) like this: “Municipal broadband deployments are broadband Internet access services provided either fully or partially by local governments.[1] Common connection technologies include unlicensed wireless (Wi-Fi, wireless mesh networks), licensed wireless (such as WiMAX), and fiber-optic. Although many cities previously deployed Wi-Fi based solutions, municipal fiber-to-the-home networks are becoming more prominent because of increased demand for modern audio and video applications.”
Here are the municipal broadband network providers in Kentucky:
Provider Barbourville Utility Commission
Website: barbourville.com
Phone: 606-546-4127
Services Offered: Data, Video
Area Served: Barbourville
Barbourville Utilities offers high-speed Internet access to both homes and businesses in the Barbourville and Knox County.
Provider: Frankfort Plant Board
Website: fpb.cc
Phone: 502-352-4372
Services Offered: Data, Video, Voice
Area Served: Frankfort
FPB is unique to most municipal utility companies because it offers cable television along with business and residential services in security, broadband, and telephone all with local customer service and support. 21,000 Kentuckians are currently hooked up to the network.
Provider: HES EnergyNet
Website: hop-electric.com
Phone: 270-887-4200
Services Offered: Data
Area Served: Hopkinsville
EnergyNet offers a high-speed fiber optic network for business in the Frankfort, Kentucky area, but has not yet offering similar residential service. The best residents can get is 8 Meg wireless, but each account also gets free access to EnergyNet Mobile, EnergyNet’s citywide wifi service.
Provider: Murray Electric System
Website: murray-ky.net
Phone: 270-753-5312
Services Offered: Voice, Data, Video
Area Served: Murray
The community-owned fiber optic network in Western Kentucky, just south of Paducah, offers high-speed internet service to businesses and residences in the Murray area.
Provider: Russelville Electric Plant Board
Website: epbnet.com
Phone: 270-726-2466
Services Offered: Data, Video, Voice, Smart Grid
Area Served: Russelville
The Russelville Electric Plant Board began providing wireless Internet service to the greater Russellville area in 2006 and expanded its broadband services to video, telephone and high-speed data service in 2011. It currently serves approximately 4,300 electric customers and more than 1,400 broadband customers.
Provider: Williamstown Cable & Broadband
Website: wkybb.net
Phone:
Services Offered: Data, Video, Voice
Area Served: Williamstown (serves Corinth and parts of Grant and Owen Counties)
Williamstown, located almost directly south of Cincinnati, proudly says, “Williamstown Broadband offers the Fastest Speeds in Kentucky!” Residents outside of the regular fiber optic high-speed Internet service area (Williamstown, Corinth, Mason and New Columbus) are eligible for the company’s Skywire high-speed internet service.
james says
Are there Any companies in Leslie co, TDS has the ONLY Internet serv, in this area, i cannot afford $100 a month for internet, and i need it, Is there any of the other companies that cover this area???…
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out the entire list of low-income internet companies and plans at this link, James. You may find one that fits your needs:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Kevin - Rebecca sullivan says
Suddenlink has a monopoly in Pike County Ky 41562. I called them about lower rates for SNAP benifits and they said they do not offer such a program, however theriris a third party than can help me but they do not know the name of the compNy. Can you help me ive had $76.00 internet bills for over three years with them. Have 0 income and have applied sor SSI and receive food stamps.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Sounds like you probably qualify, Kevin & Rebecca. Check out all the companies on this page to see if any of them offer service in your area.
Annie says
And she doesn’t received any of the following: Social Security Disability (SSD), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Social Security Retirement and Survivor Benefits are different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Annie says
My mother move from Jamaican to Kentucky 5 months ago and she is over 70 yrs old. I call spectrum to inquire about this program and they inform me that they do not have that program in Lizabethtown, KY. Does she qualify for Spectrum Internet Assist. she doesn’t received any of the following following programs:
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP); free or reduced cost lunch
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) ( ≥ age 65 only)
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
It’s difficult for us to know which programs she’s eligible for with the limited information you gave us, Annie. But we can say that you should check out ALL the low-income internet plans to see which ones she may qualify for. Here’s where you can find info on all those plans:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Make sure you check them all out closely and pay particular attention to PCs for People, 4GCommunity, and AT&T. They have different, looser rules so she may be eligible for them even she’s not eligible for the others.
Brittney Hash says
I receive SNAP benefits. I need low income INTERNET SERVICE in Louisville ky
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Each of the low-income internet plans are discussed in this article, Brittney.
Susan cook says
Hi I live in Utica ky and am on disability looking for cable and internet service based on low income please put in the direction of service provider
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You can find all the low-income internet plans right here on this page, Susan. Unfortunately, there are now low-income cable TV plans.
Kenneth Shaw says
I’m a low-income intellectual/developmental disabled on Social Security Disability & would like to know what the options are for us for internet…
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We don’t know of any plans that are based upon developmental criteria, only on income and participation in various government programs. We’re very sorry.
michele says
yes i live in a small county that really doesnt offer much to its customers in the means of internet assistance. i live in brodhead ky an would love to get wifi for my home i could see what goes on in the world around me as well as close to me. as of today i dont get even a news channel cant pick up wifi on home computer of
r a phone for that matter an in order to have it hooked up it will cost me betweem 150 200 hundred dollars to hook up plus anywhere from 75 to over 100 dollars a month for service an to get just wifi for the home only is much more i am a low income person i draw a disabilty chech that is around 750 per month by the time i pay for rent utilitys an hygene products i dont have any money left for anything much i would love to be able to be aware of what goes on in the world around me an i would like to see if your group could help me with this situation i am at a friends home using her wifi to speak with you today thank you for your time
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Unfortunately, Michele, you may be out of luck. It sounds as if you live so far out of town that you cannot receive cell phone signal, TV signal and wifi. That being the case, we’re not sure how you would get Internet. We would imagine that you could get satellite TV, but we do not know of any low-income plan that’s delivered via satellite.
Here’s a list of all the low-income Internet plans that are available. Check them all out to see if any of them offer service in your area. Sorry we don’t have a better answer for you.
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Mike says
Hugs and kisses to Mitch McConnell. Many thanks for 30 years of keeping ky so close to, even under the poverty line.
Net neutrality passed, so internet CO’s. Must follow the rules. Costs are getting Cheap thanks to google fiber, republic wireless, fredompop internet and mobile WiFi.
We are talking $ 10 cell phone bills Soon.
Newer, cheaper straight talk is coming. Also Many others. Even cricket offers more than $10 off their $35 rate for lifeline!
Vote for your cable, internet and mobile phone carriers with your $, the only thing they care about.
Mike
Joyce McClurg says
Anything for Bath County KY? One of the poorest Counties!!