Tennessee is the 30th most connected state and 93 broadband providers are currently offering their services in the state. Nevertheless, 76,000 people in Tennessee have no access to broadband. No cable. No DSL. No fixed wireless. No mobile internet. Nothing.
Of the 6.5 million residents of Tennessee, 792,000 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). In addition, 228,000 more are stuck with low data caps on their home internet connection because they have no choice except for fixed wireless or mobile broadband.
The state’s poverty statistics are grim. The overall poverty rate is 17.8%. The child poverty is a disgraceful 26%. The senior poverty rate is a sky high 14%. And the extreme poverty rate is a very disturbing 7.8%.
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
- CenturyLink’s Internet Basics
- EveryoneOn
- Mediacom
- 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, no Lifeline Broadband Pilot Programs are currently being conducted in Tennessee.
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.”
According to ArsTechnica.com, the state of Tennessee has passed a series of laws making it very difficult for municipalities to operate broadband networks for their citizens. The law says, “Municipalities that own electric utilities may provide telecom services ‘upon complying with various public disclosure, hearing, voting, and other requirements that a private provider would not have to meet. Municipalities that do not operate electric utilities can provide services only in ‘historically unserved areas,’ and only through joint ventures with the private sector.'”
The hurdles are set so high that very few towns and cities have been willing or able to overcome them. But the good news is that a number of muni broadband networks are currently offering residential service:
Provider: Bristol Tennessee Essential Services
Website: btes.net
Phone: 423-968-1526
Services Offered: Voice, Data, Video, Smart Grid
Area Served: Bristol
BTES fiber optic network offers speeds of one Gigabit per second available to every business and home in its service area. That includes more than 33,000 homes and businesses.
Provider: CDE Lightband
Website: clarksvillede.com
Phone: 931-648-8151
Services Offered: Voice, Data, Video, Smart Grid
Area Served: Clarksville
CDE offers its lightning fast fiber optic network to more than 64,000 residents of the Clarksville area.
Provider: EPB Fiber Optics
Website: epbfi.com
Phone: 423-648-1372
Services Offered: Voice, Data, Video, Smart Grid
Area Served: Chattanooga
For five years, EPB Fiber Optics has provided the Chattanooga area with data, video and voice services. It now serves 61,000 homes and more than 5,000 businesses.
Provider: EPlus Broadband (Jackson Energy Authority)
Website: ePlus.net
Phone: 731-422-7500
Services Offered: Voice, Data, Video, Smart Grid
Area Served: Jackson and part of Madison County
High-speed internet, voice and video services are currently available to 35,000 customers who reside inside Jackson Energy Authority’s current electric service area.
Provider: Fayetteville Public Utilities
Website: fpu-tn.com
Phone: 931-433-1522
Services Offered: Data, Voice, Video
Area Served: Fayetteville
FPU was the first utility in Tennessee to offer cable TV as well as cable Internet and VoIP digital phone services? Its High-Speed Cable Internet serves more than 3,300 customers in Fayetteville and parts of Lincoln County.
Provider: Morristown Utility Systems (MUS Fibernet)
Website: MUSFiber.net
Phone: 423-586-4121
Services Offered: Voice, Data, Video, Smart Grid
Area Served: Morristown
Morristown Utility Systems created MUS Fibernet in order to offer high-speed broadband services to more than 10,000 residents of Morristown, Tennessee.
Provider: PES Energize (Pulaski Electric System)
Website: energize.net
Phone: 931-363-2522
Services Offered: Voice, Data, Video, Smart Grid
Area Served: Pulaski (also serves Giles County)
PES Energize is the 100% fiber-optic broadband network available to every home and business in Pulaski, Tennessee. From a state-of-the-art datacenter housing the latest technology, PES Energize offers its 4,700 customers the highest standard of speed, features and service.
Provider: Tullahoma Utilities Board
Website: tub.net
Phone: 931-455-4515
Services Offered: Voice, Data, Video
Area Served: Tullahoma
LightTUBe is a division of the Tullahoma Utilities Board (TUB). It is the fiber optic network built throughout the City of Tullahoma and provides high quality video, high speed Internet, and feature-rich telephone services to more than 4,000 customers.
Rocky Nowell says
We live in Enville Tn. about 50 miles south/east of Jackson Tn.with that said Aeneas internet is coming thur our area. They ask if we want to hook up to thier internet, I told them I’m on disability and we may not be able to afford it. She said with my age (66) and disability that there is programs with the Gov. to get discounts.Could you let me know if there is anything for us in our area.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Sorry, but we are unfamiliar with Aeneas internet. They may have a program for seniors in your area but we know nothing about it.
Jennifer M Forkum says
I have searched for internet service through the “EBB” that the government said would be available everywhere for everyone….alass this service is not available in my rural area of Macon county TN. It would be great if it were, then I would not have to worry about how my son would get his school work completed if he was quarantined from school due to COVID-19.and the “Delta Variant” spiking now. We are way below the poverty level in our county and state. Our income only reaches under $1,000 a month for a family of three. Is there any help for a free cell phone and cell service along w help on truly free internet for my area?
Sincerely Jennifer Forkum
EBB approved applicant…No service area.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Even getting normal internet service is a challenge out in rural areas, Jennifer. We get a lot of complaints from rural residents who say exactly what you said. Unfortunately, lack of service in rural areas is just a fact of life, at least until Elon Musk gets his StarLink system up and running.
Brooke says
Dickson area???
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Did you check each service provider’s listings? Because we worked pretty damn hard putting together those lists of cities.
MELANIE says
Are there any cheap Internet services in Louisville Tennessee?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We can’t track availability of all the plans down to the zip code level, Melanie, but click on each of the services listed on this page and you’ll find a pretty good guide to availability of each plan on a town-by-town basis. We cannot stay that this guide is 100% accurate, but it will give you a rough indication.
Shelly says
What provider in Tennessee has low income internet
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Seriously, Shelly? Did you read the article above before you posted this comment?
Edna Blaylock says
any cheap internet service in crossville tn 38555
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We are unable to track availability down to the zip code level for every reader, Edna, but you can check out our listings to get a general idea of where each plan is available. Then you can visit the websites of the various plans, because most of them allow you to plug in a zip code or even your own address to determine more accurate availability in your area.
Hajar says
Are there any cheap Internet services in Cookeville Tennessee?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out all the low-income service providers at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
We can’t say that our list of cities is 100% accurate, but it will give you a rough idea of which companies serve which areas. Most of the service providers’ websites allow you to plug in your address or zip code to find out if they serve your area.
Bre says
I’m lookin for the cheapest high speed internet available in Cleveland Tennessee plz contact me by email!! To let me be aware of your service and its affordability Cleveland tenn 37311
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There’s no way we can track availability and speeds down to the zip code level, Bre. Check out the plans listed on this page and do your homework.
Susan Porter says
Are there any cheap Internet services in dunlap tennessee?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We cannot track the various plans down to the very local level, Susan. But you can find all the plans on this page:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
The list of cities for each service provider is not complete, so you should check with each supplier who lists your state. Some of them allow you to plug your zip code into their website to give you an immediate automatic answer to your question. With others who do not offer that feature, it may require a phone call to the company’s customer service team.
Sara says
Are there any free internet providers in Knoxville, TN?
Thank you.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Sorry, Sara, but there are no “free” internet providers. There are cheap Internet providers (hence the name of this website), but no free ones. Check out all the cheap options in the above article. Good luck.