As we have long expected, CenturyLink has screwed low-income Americans and put a bullet through the head of its Internet Basics program.
This is how it was announced on the CenturyLink website’s Internet Basics page:
“The CenturyLink Internet Basics program is only available to residents in the states of Oregon, Tennessee and Washington.”
In other words, they attempted to euthanize the Internet Basics program. It still clings to life in three states, but is in increasingly critical condition.
Three states is a far cry from what once was. Here’s how CenturyLink announced Internet Basics back on October 3, 2011:
CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL), one of the nation’s leading Internet service providers, today introduced CenturyLink Internet Basics to improve and promote broadband adoption and use by low-income consumers.
To help get more low-income households online, CenturyLink is offering discounted High-Speed Internet service starting at $9.95 a month, plus applicable taxes and fees, to eligible consumers in the 37 states where it has local operations. The service provides access up to 1.5 Mbps downstream capability. Higher bandwidth services, where available, are offered at a comparable discount.
And here’s a complete list of those states quoted from our Internet Basics page:
Where is Internet Basics Available?
Internet Basics is available in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
We recently visited the CenturyLink website to search for news on the Internet Basics program. The least the company could do, we thought, would have been to issue a press release informing the world that it had walked (run?) away from this important program.
Alas, it appears that CenturyLink abandoned Internet Basics in the dark of night and wanted to keep that retreat just as quiet as possible.
Are we being too harsh in our assessment? Hardly. We used the search function on the CenturyLink website in an attempt to find information on the demise of Internet Basics. Although they offer up an impressive history of 449 press releases on website, not one of them references any recent news about Internet Basics. To repeat, not one.
Try it yourself and see if you can find one. Here’s the link: http://news.centurylink.com
Internet Basics: CenturyLink’s ugly, red-headed, bastard stepchild
We have made no secret of the fact that CenturyLink has always been our least favorite provider of low-income internet plans. Here’s a quote from an article we wrote about Internet Basics back in 2014:
CenturyLink started the Internet Basics program as a sop to the Federal Communications Commission. In order to gain FCC approval for their purchase of Quest Communications. It agreed to offer low cost internet access, low cost computers and free computer and internet training to low income Americans. It was one of the conditions of that approval.
After viewing the results generated by CenturyLink’s Internet Essentials, we can only draw the conclusion that CenturyLink is doing the bare minimum necessary to keep the Federal Communications Commission regulators at bay, then explaining away the dismal numbers by saying, “Sorry. Things were tougher than we expected.” Maybe that wasn’t the scenario, but it’s all we can imagine with the limited information they’ve given us.
As we were researching the article quoted above back in 2014, we exchanged emails with a CenturyLink representative. It was clear from that rep’s non-responsive responses that CenturyLink intended to do the absolute minimum that was required of them by the Federal Communications Commission — that they would put a minimum of dollars into the program, that they would promote it as little as possible, that they would starve it of the manpower it required to be successful.
Consider the following question we asked and the CenturyLink rep’s answer:
4. What are your longterm plans for Internet Basics?
As a service provider, CenturyLink is supportive of the Federal Communication Commission’s National Broadband plan to help ensure that consumers within CenturyLink’s service areas have access to affordable Internet service. The Internet Basics program was initiated in support of that effort. CenturyLink has made a commitment to make its discount plan available until October 1, 2017. At any time until October 1, 2017, a qualifying customer may enroll in this service plan once, and he or she may choose a term of as little as one year, which may be extended at the customer’s option on a month-to-month basis for as long as five years.
Some astute readers may find that October 1, 2017 date significant. Consider the fact that one reader first notified us of the program’s demise as far back as November 1, 2017:
“This program ended September 2017,” a CheapInternet.co reader reported. “…nowhere in the link does it provide this information to the customers. Very disappointed after submitting all my personal information via fax.”
Disappointing, indeed.
But hardly surprising.
We requested comments from CenturyLink’s public relations staff and from its investor relations department. Neither of them chose to answer our questions.
So please allow us to end this article the same way we ended our 2014 article that was headlined: “CenturyLink’s Internet Basics is not living up to its potential.”
If CenturyLink would care to respond to this article, we would be happy to run the full response here at CheapInternet.com.
Susan L Lutz says
I had century link internet and my bill was 50.00 each month then i was having to pay a late fee cuz my bill was due on the 19th each month so i asked them to change it to the 1st or 3rd of month. They couldnt and soon my bill was at 1600.00 and the wrong account number attached so i asked them about it and they had nothing to say just cut it off so im screwed because of it
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Have you checked to see if any of the other low-income plans are available in your area? Here’s where you can look them up:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Sandre says
Centurylink AND also WINDSTREAM PIKS AND CHOOSES , ACTUALLY NOT TAKING NEW INTERNET ESSENTIALS ANYMORE EITHER! B.S.!!! IBERIA MISSOURI
TDSteve says
Next time CenturyLink wants something from the FCC, it’ll probably be rinse and repeat with a different name and company.
Sounds to much like what’s going on in Washington right now – sc_ew the little guy that’s down and out.
Multiple versions and (tweets) of every one story going out so even the original liar won’t remember the truth in fact.
Nationally and Internationally the big dog in the house throws it’s weight around making us all frown of the words and acts of the clown… It’s still year one too… ; (
Just remember what party’s chairman runs the FCC right now.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We don’t comment on politics, Steve, but remember that the CenturyLink program was approved five years ago when different big dogs ran the FCC and the White House. It had nothing to do with the current administration then and CenturyLink walked away from the program before the current administration took office. There’s plenty of blame to go around, but you’re blaming the wrong people in this case.
TDSteve says
Hey I only said what would probable be for CL’s next round with the FCC.
Then gave a comparison – not an assessment…
For the rulers in the public offices now – who talking politics anyways?
I’m not blaming anyone but acknowledge that the little guy who is down and out gets the screw. Where’s the middle class gone nowadays? Growing old to take up the place and ranks of the down and out little guys.
Say I had a 15 year loan with a bank that was just sold to another bank. I was half paid off in the loan – would I not be responsible to the new bank for the remainder of my loan? Face some kind of default and stiff penalty if I didn’t follow through.
Same should hold true with any kind of businesses doing business with our nation, as it’s the people taxes and/or entitlements that are stripped away and used as the bail out methods.
I would rather be judged by a 12 person jury than a one person Judge.
So to should be the consenting nature for any order or law coming down the pike, to where it’s long term enforceable and not reversed or rolled back easily by the next office holder.
It’s deep and while one item may appear to be isolated, but everything intertwines at some point at least once with something else totally different. That’s the across the isles nature of bipartisanship.
Aurora says
Yes I am a customer to your company and I am not to happy I have called to this situation a have not seen resolve I am now asking if you have a program for seniors to help us. My monthly bill started at 55.+taxes now is 68 .96 so can you see if I eligible for seniors discount. Read there’s a program for $9.95 a month. Thank You Please reply
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
The only low-income internet plan designed specifically for senior citizens is offered by Comcast’s Internet Essentials. You can get all the pertinent info at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/internet-essentials-expands-low-income-disabled-medicaid-seniors
Russell Pryor says
You can add “freedom Pop” to your list of lousy or even bogus “cheap” internet companies. I tried them & the available data usage they offered for their “cheap” price was almost nonexistent & they tried to charge me extra for more data usage without asking beforehand. I would not recommend them to anyone.