Texas is the 31st most connected state and its called home by a remarkable 266 broadband providers. Despite those numbers, there are 56,000 people in Alabama with no access to broadband. No cable. No DSL. No fixed wireless. No mobile internet. Nothing.
Of the 26.5 million Texans, 3.1 million 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). And 1.2 million depend on fixed wireless or mobile broadband with low data caps.
A huge number of Texans need help to avoid the Digital Divide that separates wealthy Americans from needier ones. The state’s overall poverty rate is 17.5%. Its child poverty rate is an eye-popping 26%. Its senior poverty rate is 16%. And its extreme poverty rate is 7.3%.
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
- Windstream
- Frontier Communications
- 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: TracFone and Technology Goes Home
Where: Wisconsin, Washington, Texas, Massachusetts, Maryland and Florida
Budget: $915,000
Contact: 617-635-2822 (Technology Goes Home); 800-867-7183 (TracFone)
TracFone’s pilot program offers differing combinations of free or discounted hardware combined with service at a cost of $10 or $20 per month. The purpose of this TracFone and Technology Goes Home pilot program was to test low-income customers’ sensitivity to upfront and ongoing prices. By comparing two different offers, TracFone was expected to estimate the adoption and success of each offer.
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.”
Unfortunately, there are no municipalities offering broadband networks to the citizens of Texas. You can lay the blame at the feet of state law.
According to gigaom.com, Texas “prohibits municipalities and municipal electric utilities from offering telecommunications services to the public either directly or indirectly through a private telecommunications provider.”
We’ll keep you posted if the situation changes in the Lone Star state.
Bonnie K Allen says
I have comzoom which is what is available in my apartment complex.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We are not familiar with comzoom, Bonnie. But you should check out all the other plans. There may be ways to get them in your apartment.
Wesley Pruitt says
I’m getting housing, food stamps and not able to work now. Trying to get Suddenlink Free broadband internet service. They sent me a bill it’s connected already. I need to know what going on
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We can’t tell you what’s going on, Wesley, because we are not connected to Suddenlink in any way. Contact Suddenlink’s customer service team.
Laurel Housos says
I live in Texas. Rural area. Is there no internet available for low income Seniors ? My zip code 78052 comes up for coverage but they don’t offer ANY help with cost ??
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Have you checked out all the companies and plans located on this page?
JD Burr says
That you so much for the objective information for seniors/low income households!
Objective info is so hard to come by today, whether news (due to 90% entertainment industry control instead of traditional journalism sources) or consumer advice!
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We work hard to bring good information to everyone who reads our website. Glad to hear that it helped, JD.
Michael R Ireland says
I am an elderly disabled Army vet and former teacher. How can I get low-cost internet?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
It sounds as if you are eligible. If so, you can enroll with any of the companies in the article above. Pay particular attention to PCs for People because it has looser eligibility rules than the others.
Karen says
I have been with PCs For People for several years now, overall it’s wonderful having affordable internet access, and since T Mobile has purchased Sprint (Sprint is PCsForPeople.com’s provider, I am thus far detecting that service is even better. Streaming is going great, and thus far, I’m not experiencing as much buffering as I had been……..therefore the Amazon Prime I get at a reduced rate, since I have SNAP due to being on SSI disability, has been playing without too much buffering at all, and the Netflix my friend gave me as an early bday gift, has been so enjoyable to watch, especially in these pandemic times.
Michael R. Ireland says
I need help to get cheap internet service. I’m a disabled Army Vet on a very low income.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
If you live in Texas, and we assume you do since you left your comment here on our Texas page, you can find all the companies and all the plans outlined right here on this page. Check out each of the companies listed on this page to find the plan that fits your needs best.
Leanna says
I live in Texas,I receive snap assistance.can I get low income wifi in my area zip 78132
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We’re unable to track down to the zip code level, Leanna, but each of the service providers can tell you if they serve your area. We provide contact info for each of the companies.
Connie D Stone says
Im on ssi. Only dsl provider in my area is consolidated communication. Desperately need lower cost alternatives!! Use dsl as tv & internet service. Thanks for the info!!
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out all the low-income internet service providers to find the one that fits your needs best:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Charles Randall Honeycutt says
Im 60 years old .Im on. Disability and Medicare.Do i qualify for any internet programs?My zip is 75205
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
All the plans and all their eligibility requirements can be found in the article above, Charles.
Zenaida Harris says
I’m 60 years old based on low income I get food stamps,ssi,medicaid,do I qualify for Comcast,or what company can help me because I believe at&t doesn’t do service where I live 78065 zip code
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There are a number of low-income internet plans available, Zenaida. You should check them all out to find the one that fits your needs best, and then enroll with that company. Here’s where you can check them all out:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Chris Lee says
Can I get cheap internet if I am applying for lifeline phone service ?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Yes. The low-income internet programs and the Lifeline free government cell phone programs are completely unrelated. You can have both of them simultaneously.
Orange Wright says
I live in Houston Tx. Would like to get intrnt for just watching movies .I’m a snap recpnt, who has a srvc that doesn’t have a high cost for overage mb
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Here’s your problem, Orange. Several of the plans offer “unlimited” internet, but they only give you one gig, maybe three gigs, before they “throttle” the speed down so far that it will make it impossible for you to download those movies. The companies’ theory is that these plans are intended for basic usage, not for heavy usage.
Vicki Beaty says
I am looking for affordable wifi for my home. I live in a small town called Eastland TX it’s between Abilene and Fort Worth. If you could help me or point me in the right direction.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We’d suggest that you take a look at all the low-income internet plans available, Vicki. Here’s a link that will take you directly to that page:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Check them all out to find out where each plan is available and what it takes to be eligible. Good luck, y’all. (That’s how we talk here in the Lone Star State.)
Nan says
I live in Dallas Tx, an area in South Dallas. Very poor and low income community. We only have Time Warner Cable and they offer nothing for low income residents.yet they are in impoverished areas where the majority of low income individuals live. How can . I get Time Warner Cable out of our area, or help provide low income services or add another provider to help our low income families?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We hear you, Nan. The sad truth is that these companies don’t offer these low-cost plans out of the goodness of their hearts. They generally agree to do it in order to get the Federal Communications Commmission to approve something else they want (such as a merger or the acquisition of a large competitor). That being said, there are a couple plans you might want to check out. We can’t guarantee that they’re available in your neighborhood, but it’s worth a try:
One is Access from AT&T:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet/att-access
The other is PCs for People:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet/pcs-for-people
angie says
.I need cheep internet. time warner cable to high please. Email me need. Need something. Today? Thanks
Hassan atag says
Need home cheep internet