Despite the fact that Utah is the 8th most connected state and has 92 different broadband providers, there are 9,000 people in the state with no access to broadband. No cable. No DSL. No fixed wireless. No mobile internet. Nothing.
Of the 2.9 million Utahans, 268,000 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). And 42,000 people in the state depend on fixed wireless or mobile broadband.
These are disgraceful numbers. The state’s overall poverty rate is 12.7%. Its child poverty rate is 15%. Its senior poverty rate is 9%. And it’s extreme poverty rate is 5.2%. Clearly, these unfortunate residents of Utah need help to avoid falling into the digital divide between America’s rich and America’s poor.
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.
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 Utah.
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 website called ArsTechnica.com describes the situation in Utah: “Various procedural and accounting requirements imposed on municipalities would be ‘impossible for any provider of retail services to meet, whether public or private.’ Municipal providers that offer services at wholesale rather than retail are exempt from some of the requirements, ‘but experience has shown that a forced wholesale-only model is extremely difficult, or in some cases, impossible to make successful.'”
And that explains why there are no municipal broadband systems in the Beehive State.
Buddy and Janet Eeds says
Hello: I am interested in a low cost high speed internet in UTAH. We are a family of 2, over 55, income is $22,536.00 yearly and we are currently on the H.E.A.T. program that helps us with our gas and electric bill. I am a bit confused on all these programs except I see we do not quality for Centurylink program because we are just slightly over the income limit. We used to be on the lifeline program when we had a landline phone but no longer have a landline phone and when we were on it they only gave us $10.00 off our bill, no big help from CenturyLink aka qwest, which they are a nightmare to deal with when you have any changes or questions, etc…I think they purposely do it to confuse and try and rip you off. Can you help me find a company we would qualify for in Utah?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There is an option IF you live in an area covered be the Spring network. Read this article and check it out:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/pcs-for-people-best-internet-plan-for-low-income-americans