Research shows that Ohio is the 17th most connected state and has 151 broadband providers in the state. Despite that ranking and all those broadband providers, there are 54,000 people in Ohio with no access to broadband. No cable. No DSL. No fixed wireless. No mobile internet. Nothing.
Of the 11.6 million Ohioans, 939,000 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). There are also 258,000 residents handicapped by low data caps because their only source of broadband is either fixed wireless or mobile broadband.
This rustbelt state has some severe poverty problems as is demonstrated in the following statistics: The overall poverty rate is 16%. The child poverty rate is 24%. The senior poverty rate is 10%. And the extreme poverty rate, sadly, is 7.5%.
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
- Access from AT&T
- Spectrum Internet Assist
- Comcast’s Internet Essentials
- Cox
- EveryoneOn
- SuddenLink
- PC’s for People
- Windstream
- Frontier Communications
- 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: Virgin Mobile and Technology Goes Home
Where: Ohio and Massachusetts
Budget: $1,200,000
Contact: 617-635-2822 (Technology Goes Home);
800-867-7183 (TracFone)
This pilot program tested the effect on adoption and retention of discounted prices and device costs by offering four varying subscription offers. Two groups of subscribers paid $20 while two other groups paid $0 with a $20 activation fee. Virgin and TGH hoped to determine customers’ sensitivity to upfront versus ongoing costs and also gather information on broadband adoption rates and data usage.
Who: Frontier
Where: Ohio and West Virginia
Budget: $418,122
Contact: Frontier.com
This pilot program, conducted by Frontier, Connect Ohio and Mission West Virginia, attempted to determine if financial incentives would increase the rate at which subscribers sign up for digital literacy training. Subscribers were able to choose from three offers: (1) a $20 monthly subsidy off a range of wireline broadband plans, (2) A $30 monthly subsidy and waiver of one-time $34.99 charge IF the subscriber participated in a digital literacy program, and (3) A $20 monthly subsidy and free computer if the subscriber participated in a digital literacy program.
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. 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.”
A number of Ohio cities offer broadband networks exclusively for area businesses. But our research shows just one that offers residential service:
Provider: Wadsworth Communications
Website: wadsworthcitylink.com/city-link/internet-services.html
Phone: 330-335-1521
Services Offered: Data
Area Served: Wadsworth
The Wadsworth City website says, “CityLink Internet Service uses the same cable lines as the Cable TV service and provides broadband internet for Wadsworth City and Township residences. CityLink competes against other internet providers to bring prices down for the people of Wadsworth.”
MELISSA says
Looking for low income internet service in Monck’s corner SC. I’ve called 10 places already please help me thanks so much.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There are a number of low-income internet plans available, Melissa. You should check them all out to find the one that fits your needs best. Here’s where you can review them all:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
kim says
My daughter is enrolled in homeschooling and I need help with the internet service for low income families I’m not working at this time .can you please tell me where I can receive help ….thank you
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out all the low-income internet plans at the following link, Kim:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Go over each of them carefully to find the one that meets your needs best.
Kimberly Adams says
I am on full disability and need phone and internet help. Could someone contact me to tell me how I apply for theses services. thank you
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Read the website, Kimberly. It tells you everything you need to know.
Virginia Rozell says
DISABLED I NEED HELP WITH A PHONE AND INTERNET
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out all the low-income internet plans available in your area on this page, Virginia. You can also check out all the low-income plans at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
TV is not included in any of the low-income internet plans. But you can get all the info you need about low-income internet at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Kendra Anderson says
How do I apply for low income internet services? I live in Oregon, OH. Also, is there a low income cable t.v. Program? I have a 5 year old and would like to have internet/cable t.v. Thank you so much.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There are no low-income cable TV programs, Kendra. However, you can find out about all of the low-income internet service providers at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Megan says
My sister is in disability with a combined Medicare/ Medicaid plan. She also gets food stamps. She is in Dayton, Ohio
How do I find out who services her area (45424) and what is the cheapest plan?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Go to our low-income internet page, look through the plans and find out which ones are available in your area and which ones you qualify for.
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
anna says
All I want is the internet connection service that is affordable. I am a senior citizen on Social Security and TWC fees keep on climbing up. A few more increases and I won’t be able to afford. I am just fine with my prepaid cell phone at $15/mo but the TWC internet bill is just about killing me.
Hope the next president will fix that
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There is some good news for some of America’s low-income senior citizens, Anna. Charter Communications just purchased Time-Warner Cable and Bright House Cable and the three combined companies will introduce a new low-income program on our about December 1. “The Charter program is aimed at families with students who participate in the National School Lunch Program and seniors 65 and older who receive Supplemental Security Income.” Since you already live in a Time-Warner area, maybe you’ll qualify.
Here’s a page that lists all the programs currently available. Check out PCs for People, one of our favorite low-income internet programs. Customers can qualify with much higher incomes that permissible with the other programs. Sounds like you’d qualify IF you live in an area covered by Sprint’s national cell network:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Diane Dent says
I’ve been getting rapped by at&t for years and years. Well my income has changed I can’t afford the bill. I’m a low income person living alone. I wanted to be able to keep my land line and wifi but my bill is $85.00 a month and every month I have to argue with them! I’m trying to hold on to the landline because I have two older sibbblings and one has deminia so I don’t want to let the landline go because that would confuse them. I need something that I can afford.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
The solution, we think, is for you to get a free government cell phone and tell the company you want to “port over your existing number.” That account will be free (if they can port your landline number to a cell phone). You can find out all about the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program at our other website, FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net. Here’s an easy link to the qualifications page:
http://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
Then you need to enroll in one of the low-income Internet plans found on this page:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Depending on which one you qualify for, it could cost you as little as $5 per month or as much as $9.95 per month. Check them all out because each program has different qualification requirements.
Of course, it requires you to be eligible for both programs, but if you are eligible this could be a good solution for you.
Harold Snyder says
I would like to know about low income internet for seniors. I am 65 and my wife is 60. we are on social security and we got custody of three of our grandchildren that is five in our household .
Dee Carr says
Was this answered yet?? I’m in Ashtabula,about an hour east of you in the very tip of that corner. I’m in the same position as you. I have one TV and 2 smart phones. And extremely limited income as I wait some more, after being denied, for SSDI. I could use a break!!
Betnadette says
I live in Cleveland, Ohio. There is a free Wi-Fi in my ward but very unreliable. I only need Wi-Fi for my smart TV and phone. Can you recommend the best sponser in my 44144 area. I talked to TW Cable SNF they only wanted to takj bundles at $89.00 month. I hope you can offer a solution or suggestion. Bernadette