Louisiana is the 37th most connected state and has 65 broadband providers. Unfortunately, 21,000 of the state’s residents have no access to broadband. No cable. No DSL. No fixed wireless. No mobile internet. Nothing.
Of the 4.6 million Louisianans, 657,000 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). Of that total, 253,000 are stuck with very low data caps on their home internet service because their only choices are fixed wireless or mobile broadband.
The state’s poverty numbers are not good. The overall poverty rate is 19.8%. The child poverty rate is 28%. The senior poverty rate is a sky high 20%. And the extreme poverty rate is 9.0%.
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
- Cox Low-Income Internet
- EveryoneOn
- 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.
Who: Nexus
Where: Ohio, New Jersey, Nevada, Mississippi, Michigan, Louisiana, Iowa and California
Budget: $2,800,000
Contact: 877-870-9444
Nexus and Connect Ohio investigated the impact of various subsidies and digital literacy on rates of broadband adoption. Subscribers were given $15, $20 or zero subsidies (depending on their home zip codes) on a variety of plans differentiated by usage limits. Nexus expected the results to demonstrate (1) subscribers’ willingness to pay for data limit increases and (2) to determine if subscribers were satisfied with the choices they made.
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.”
Twenty states have passed laws inhibiting or even prohibiting the formation of municipal broadband networks. Louisiana is one of those states. The crux of the law, according to ArsTechnica.com, is that “Municipalities must hold referendums before providing service and ‘impute to themselves various costs that a private provider might pay if it were providing comparable services.'”
Despite those roadblocks, one Louisiana community has created a broadband network that serves the entire community:
Provider: LUS Fiber
Website: LUSFiber.com
Phone: 337-993-4237
Services Offered: Voice, Data, Video, Smart Grid
Area Served: Lafayette
According to its website, “LUS Fiber is Lafayette’s community owned telecommunications system, providing video, Internet and phone service to residents and businesses over the city’s only 100% fiber optic network. Communications has become the fourth utility and ours is the first municipal Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) system serving an entire community in Louisiana.” It is reported to have 57,000 customers.
Jennifer says
Do you offer cable tv? I need cable tv and internet or WiFi!
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
None of the low-income plans offer free or even discounted TV. They do offer wifi. But we are not a low-income service provider, Jennifer. This is an independent informational website.
Lisa White says
I can’t get no homepage, and no internet , no wifi. I tied ever one.im disable, and in fema trailer on my property, laura brought a tree down in my home which I could not get service there eighter, att not available, even my cell phone does not pick up half the time, I’m on the city line but on parish side. So it would be considered rual, even through I can see and go a mile up the rd and pick up wifi
Heather says
I am very interested in getting on some kind of plan for my internet. I am recently disabled had to stop working and now I live below poverty levels. I do receive Medicaid thank goodness, and I was receiving a decent amount in food stamps but my disability payments went up and now I get 24 dollars in food stamps its sad. Anyway I’m looking at all the comments and it seems to me that it isn’t going to be easy to get this program started. I just pray for those of us who live off of very small amounts they could get things like this kicked off a little better. What seems to be the best one and the one that seems to be the most hassle free in and around Bossier city La?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
It’s impossible to answer your question, Heather. There are so many variables that a phone that works well at your house may not work well across the street.
Hope-Faith says
I do not know about the,rest of Louisiana. But AT&T no longer participates,in the LifeLine Program in Shreveport. They ended it last year (2018)
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Regarding Lifeline service: AT&T never participated in the Lifeline free government cell phone program. They did, however, participate in the discounted home landline part of the Lifeline program.
DJ Williamson says
Just a FYI….AT&T has qualified me for the Access internet. I have checked 2 times with them trying to actually GET the service. Every time they tell me a different story as to why I still cannot get it: summer of last year when I first registered for it, the lady told me there weren’t any extra ports here, and to call back in a couple months and check again because they were in the process of implementing the new ports then. So I tried back a couple weeks ago and the guy that answered my call said I can’t have it because internet and U-Verse aren’t available in my area yet. Well that’s a lie because I have already had AT&T internet at my address in this same house. Someone needs to look into this. What is the point of them even saying they will participate if they’re just going to give excuses to everyone?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Damn good question, DJ.
Lisa says
Yes exactly the government gives them the funds for $9.95 a month for access and my father that is disabled Vietnam veteran can’t get it because he doesn’t worry with food stamps $10 is all he can get what’s $10 you spend that in gas going to grocery store.
Hope-Faith says
Did you have U-verse before? Some areas,do not have AT&T U-verse.
The AT&T website has a Forum for customers to ask questions. I moved a,few,years ago and wanted to keep my landline. I called customer service three times. Each time I was told landline service and internet were not available at my new address but TV service was,available. I went to the forum and posted my problem. A moderator contacted me. A,few days later someone from AT&T called me. I was,able to transfer my landline to my new address. Unfortunately, U-verse is not available on the block I live on yet.
darrell elmore says
I’m in L.A. would like to have wifi. I’m on a budget. Draw social security and PT job. How can u help
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Here’s where you can find a complete list of all the low-income internet plans currently available, Darrell. Check them all out carefully to find out which ones you qualify for and which ones are available where you live:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Elaine Bates says
Receive snap benefits do I qualify from two major surgeries
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Each of the low income internet plans has different ways to qualify. Here’s where you can find them all and figure out if you qualify, Elaine:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet