When the Federal Communications Commission last year issued the Lifeline Reform Order and created the Broadband Pilot Program, we suggested that it would eventually lead to a free government internet program similar to the existing free government cell phone program. Others scoffed at the time, but it now appears that we were 100% correct.
The Wireline Competition Bureau (we could solve a lot of our problems if the government were as good at effective programs as it is at creating bureaus and commissions and panels) has chosen 14 pilot projects and authorized a $13.8 million budget to support those projects in 21 states and Puerto Rico. The selected projects will study a variety of ways to implement broadband services for low-income families.
But this is the program that interests us most:
TracFone Smartphone Project (FL, MD, TX, WA, WI, MA): The project will study the effects of subsidy amounts and discounted hardware. TracFone, in partnership with Technology Goes Home, will test the effect of both discounted price and hardware cost on mobile broadband adoption and retention using four variations in its broadband service plans and one control group randomly assigned over a large, geographically diverse sample. By offering varying combinations of free or discounted hardware and $10 or $20 per month service, low-income customers’ sensitivity to upfront and ongoing prices can be measured. By comparing the two variations in offers with the control group, which is priced at market rate, TracFone will be able to estimate the take-rate for each price point with two GB on data limits.
Translation: This is a pilot program that will for the first time provide low income Americans with smart phones with which they can access the internet.
In other words, this program brings together the best of the free government cell phone and cheap government internet programs. If it is successful, customers will be able to access the internet with smart phones. And it’s likely that a successful program will be rolled out nationally and be made available to many more needy Americans.
That, of course, will allow low-income students to leap across the digital divide that separates them from higher income students. It will allow the unemployed and underemployed the search for and apply for better jobs offered online. It will allow low income Americans with medical conditions to research their own conditions and to access better health care. And it will improve public safety by allowing low-income parents stay in closer contact with their children and vice versa.
We wish TracFone the best of luck in this important pilot program. It’s exactly what low-income Americans want and need.
Sources: UASC.org and FoxNews.com
Related Pages:
Low-priced Internet Service Options in Massachusetts- Maryland: Are there any Inexpensive broadband internet plans
- Washington: Cheap broadband internet service options for…
- Texas: Cheap Internet service options for residents of the…
Coming Soon! Free Government Internet Phones- Wisconsin: low-cost, high-speed broadband Internet services,
Melissa Blankenship says
I’m very low incomed, an disabled. I haven’t been able to watch my local stations with a anntena, i can afford cable or internet. Please tell me why the fcc is allowing these cable company to violated our constitutional rights? I’m a citizen an i deserve to be treated as one, I need free access to tv or unlimited internet one, thank you sorry im tired of being treated like a dog by our fcc an government.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We just checked the Constitution, Melissa, and we couldn’t find the clause that promises free cable tv. You are apparently more of a constitutional scholar than we are, so maybe you can point us in the right direction.
Why can’t you get local TV with an antenna?
Donald Kwast says
Are the Internet is going to work with computers? All I do got is a PC .
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Yes, the Internet works with any internet-ready computer.
peggy says
i do not understand.. is there free or low cost internet companies/plans for lowincome households. what r the requirements. and what r the names of the companies or web address. ????????????
can u have lifeline phone and low or free internet service at the same time..
please fill me in.. how does it work. who to contact.. i have safelink free gov phone. now i need internet…
thank u!
Rick Todd says
the screen on my phone finally got crushed lol and I need one with camera, would like to know if and how to do this and am interested in internet serv for low income families need internet for school and laptop or any and all programs related thank you.
Christine Hurst says
I like to have internet for I am low income with SDHC, welfair
Leslie says
I am trying to access the application to print it out. I don’t have a credit card to give out and need to be able to pay with a money order. Can you, please, email me the application and all the information. I also need a landline phone with unlimited to go with it, and of course I realize I would have to pay for it. Century Link quoted me $19.99 for unlimited landline phone service. But I have a difficult time getting them to answer me directly about this and the phone. Can you help me figure this out?
Thank You,
Leslie
*********
Columbia, MO 65203
manny escoto says
We are a low income family my 2 kids need the internet for school work but we just cant afford internets outrageous prices
Sughra Haidari says
I want a free cellphone with internet. I have food stamp cash aid and medical . how can I apply to get it? Please answer me. I rally need . thank you
Cheap Internet Administrator says
http://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net
kristin Medlin says
Please call or email me asap I am in dire need of internet for work amongst other things 1812264**** thank you so much
Cheap Internet Administrator says
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stephanie thrasher says
I am interested in the computer internet for low income families government assisted . call me at 503-999-**** i have a assurance phone but it was stolen , i need a new one. i also have a phone that’s a smartphone that i want to use how do i go about adding government minutes to it instead? my assurance phone # was 503-884-****
my name is stephanie thrasher
thank you