Every day readers fill our email box to overflowing with questions like, “How can I figure out which companies offer low-income internet services in my neighborhood?” and “Where can I find a low-cost computer?”
Of course, we provide a pretty comprehensive list of cities and towns where each of the low-income plans are available, but it’s impossible for us to break it down any closer than towns and cities. But now we’re happy to announce a tool that will let you find out specifically which low-income plans are available at your specific address.
A new mapping tool from Mapbox, allows you to plug in your address, click, and immediately find out which internet service providers serve that address.
You can find it here.
This handy tool instantaneously looks up every ISP offering service at any address, city or zip code. It will tell you how many (or how few) choice you have and what they are.
For example, we plugged in a zip code in the suburbs north of Dallas, Texas. This is what MapBox showed us:
Of course, just because a company offers internet service at your address doesn’t mean it offers low-income internet service. Once you have the MapBox list of ISPs, you need to compare it to the CheapInternet.com list of low-income internet service providers just to see if any of those plans are available at you address. To make that comparison easier, here’s a complete list of the various low-income service providers.
- AT&T Access
- BrightHouse Low-Income Internet
- Cablevision Economy Internet
- CenturyLink Internet Basics
- Comcast Internet Essentials
- Cox Low-Income Internet
- Eagle Communications Low-Income Internet
- Mediacom Low-Income Internet
- Midco Low-Income Internet
- PCs for People
- Spectrum Internet Assist
- Suddenlink Economy Internet
Just run your finger down this list until you find the company or companies that are called out by MapBox.
For example, in our test MapBox listed five companies that offer internet service in the 75069 area code: AT&T, BelWave, Charter, Rhino And Suddenlink. But when you compare that to our list of low-income internet providers, you’ll quickly see that only AT&T and Suddenlink offer those programs.
Voila! Now you know which companies offer low-income internet service at your address. And that makes it much simpler to enroll.
What about low-cost computers? Are they available in your area?
We also get many, many questions from readers asking where they can find those low-cost desktops, laptops and tablet computers that we’ve so often written about.
Well, there’s another simple tool that will tell you exactly which computers and computer services (such as computer training) are available in your zip code. The tool that delivers the answers is provided by EveryoneOn.org.
All you need to do is enter your zip code into the EveryoneOn.org website and click. It will take you to a page that allows you to check a box next to the program that makes you eligible.
We entered the same 75069 zip code on the EveryoneOn.com homepage and checked the “Low-Income” box as a test. In response, it told us the PCs for People low-income internet plan was available in that area code (and exactly what the costs would be), told us which laptops, desktops and tablets were available (and what they would cost), and also told us about a broad range of computer training classes available in the area.
Everything you need to know
There it is — everything you need to know about finding the low-income internet plans and low-cost computers and computer training available right in your neighborhood.
Now readers can refer to this page whenever they have questions.
And we’ll save about ten hours a day because we won’t have to answer those questions over and over and over again.
That’s what’s called a win-win situation.
cynthia henley says
how can i get low income internet and cheap computers in seaside, oregon?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We’d start by reading the article on this page because it contains the info you’re asking about.
Ken says
Does Pcs for people pay you or something ? Their website is useless !
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Yes, PCs for People pays us a billion dollars per month. If you check the comments on this website, we think it would be safe to say that it gets more positive comments than any other service provider. Of course, we’re probably just saying that because they pay us so much money.
hope NM says
i have had pcs for people for nearly 2 years. the start up price is vdoable. what they dont tell you is the warranty they offer runs from the time your service begins. it doesnt start at the time you recieve the hotspot. i had to replace my hotspot 2 times and the last of them failed after 5 months of use. due to their warranty policy all they would do is tell me to purchase a new unit from them. when i broke down the unit price, replacement cost, and the amount of time i used the service it came out to about $40 mo. for my service. the hotspots should have a much longer lifespan than a few months. having to continually replace the hotspots even once yearly makes it not a good value. to make things worse, you must purchase their equipment and cannot use a better type thats unlocked. who would want to buy the same junk hotspot over and over? at the broken down cost i may as well have signed up for dsl. so now i have no service at all. too bad their equipment is junk they refuse to warranty as long as the manufacturer. if it werent for that problem it would be awesome.
Henry says
I am sorry to hear about the device issues. I have had the service for over three years and my hotspot (R850 model) is still working. It did have a lithium ion battery charging issue where it began to bulge inside the unit. I removed it and the unit still runs without the battery unlike some models. This requires that I use A/C power for it. They no longer sell the Franklin R850 model and replaced it with the Coolpad Surf model now. Price is about the same though.
shannon says
LOOKING FOR LOW INCOME OR INTERNET FOR SENIORS
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There is no nationwide plan strictly for seniors, Shannon, but there are lot of other plans you may qualify for. Check them all out at this link to find the one that fits your needs best:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Sharyn Tom says
Looking for low income internet. I’m 64 and live on ssd and get food stamps. My zip code is 45503. I sure hope you can help
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Read the article, Sharyn.
jennine kepnes says
ive had pcs for people low cost internet since 2016 due to info on this site.my modem never worked great, franklin 850 wifi hotspot.has anyone else had issues with this modem.it took hours to connect for months and finally stopped connecting.april 6th 2018 called, waited 45mins per usual since no toll free and told to report to sprint it was defective which i did & got interaction no. documenting call, called pcs back gave report no.took few days for them to get ok from sprint to send replacement since had putting up w sporadic service for months. took order hung up on me after asking if could use faster mail service than usps(7-10 days)i would pay.theybhadnt asked for address but was afraid they didn’t have new address so called back left message w/new address. after 10 days no unit, called and they had sent to old address.it was boston marathon monday pouring & they suggested i drive to old address which i did even tho took 2hrs cuz streets closed due to marathon but desperate to have internet.pkg not there so they sent me another one & after 10 days called no unit they had mailed 2d one to old address.i am 66y.o hearing impaired, disabled w/o internet email,text,netflix.tv, cuz no cable.all programs thru internet. it was horrendous being w/o internet access for 35 days.they ran out of modems so sent me old model 850 franklin same one vs updated mobile because i lost it by that point and affecting physical.mental health. i was devastated when it arrived 4days later(even tho they said they sent it express) to see same model. i requested they send me updated 650 franklin but said id have to pay for it. july 29th unit stopped connecting cuz sim card defective.really dreaded calling them again but had to .they know me by know so advised to call sprint they had me remove sim replace but didn’t work so sprint tech team who also familiar w/case were surprised they sent old model 850 since phased these out.anyways said defective call pcs and tell them so they would call sprint to confirm & send new unit. as of today still waiting for unit…..its great program if works and u live in st.paul so can go to office, speak in person w/o being on hold 30-40 mins wait 7-10 days since won’t use express mail even if u offer to pay.being without internet has been extremely inconvenient detrimental to health since miss appts, isolated no connection to world unless go to starbucks during day but at nite i have no access in apt.live alone, have issues w/depression so this triggers stuff. i did everything they requested it was their fault they sent it to old address TWICE.whats really upsetting is no-one has apologized,ive written emails, to supervisors expressing dismay w/customer service.no response, apology and after numerous requests finally received mailer to return original unit so can get refund on 89.95 i paid for 2d one from april 6th request. still no refund .ive paid up to 2019 for service so in a bind cuz stuck w/this service and most affordable of any thing else(don’t want comcast). any suggestions or advice how to get results or recognition hat their customer service sucks, thanks
terry says
looking for low cost internet in oregon on fixed income need help.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Do as the article suggests, Terry, and you’ll find the answer to your question.
TDSteve says
Hello everybody,
Please observe some important notes I make.
1) Don’t give your full name when commenting here or really on any public web forms.
Unless it’s a secured private form between the two of you – you and them.
2) With giving your full name along with any other personal info., you expose to much of yourselves to anyone who would read the comments as the public online community of passerbyers.
3) Many States, Cities and Towns have public records that anyone can access. Putting the pieces together – (see my examples).
WRONG Way:
Hi, I’m Dave Mason 73 of 37018, my income is 1,250. a month and could you help me find low cost internet service.
[This is to much – full name, age, proximate address, monthly income].
BETTER Way:
Hi, I’m Dave or Dave M, I’m a senior on SS or SSI and live in the lower southeast area of the US, could you help me find low cost internet service.
[This is better – not much info. to pin point Dave if someone cared too].
BEST Way:
Hi, I’m DM retired living in the southeast area of the US, could you help me find low cost internet service.
[Best – cause all we know about DM is a limited income and lives in the SE area of the US looking for Cheap Internet].
All I’m saying is that most of us have lived a good part of our life’s where we didn’t have to lock our homes and car doors. That era is long gone. At this stage in our life, concerning trust and common decently, we will never get it back in society as a way of life in small towns or on the National front. Nationally it’s become a dog eat dog life.
The more you share of yourselves in personal information online the more exposed you make yourself in this digital age. Online it can live for a very long time as well as being harvested by others and kept in some data pools.
Please be careful : )
TDSteve
Lynn Sexton says
Your comments lend us to believe the info is swiftly available and easy to interpret…it is NOT!
I am low-income, live in 99223, and cannot determine IF I can access low cost internet, and if so, how fast the actual data will be, who it’s available thru, which equipment is reliable, how much it will cost overall, what are my obligations and is it guaranteed to work?
This is just so incredibly frustrating!
Are there people who can talk you through this directly who are not biased by some specific company’s marketing?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Sorry, Lynn. You are correct that this is a complex, confusing topic. We don’t take sides or recommend any companies/plans because there are so many variables that might make a company the best choice on one street, but the worst choice the next block over.
TDSteve says
@Lynn,
It’s only narrowed down the field of companies working with low-income people that can benefit from one program over another as per their qualifications on eligibility and home locations of service.
It’s not an article on and about one size fits all, and it will take some of your own leg work and hashing out a best fit to specifically fill your needs. From your comment it seems like you know how to ask questions about how to fit one into your needs, budget and life.
I’m particular bias on one company as it’s the only one in the list that offers a Mobile solution in Internet. This means should I move I can take it and the equipment I own with me. That I’m not limited to use their internet at home only, as if I want to have an outing with a laptop, smartphone, table and have access to the Internet service I’ve paid for already (barring additional expenses) to supply internet for those devices – I can.
I have my own smartphone using a BYOP Lifeline program provider and I signed up for just Voice in the LL program as I get Data to my SPhone from the hotspot from PCs For People on it.
That company is PCs For People (a non-profit) that uses the Sprint Mobile Data transmission towers in neighborhoods through the US. Hotspots, SIM cards and Wi-Fi sounds high tech and alien to most of us older folks but, it’s not as alien as some neighbors on your block to you – if you’d take the time to say hello.
One computers connection can be linked up from the Hotspot via a USB cable (that’s all most of us need), anymore in the home can use their wireless Wi-Fi signals to connect and up to ten more possible.
So Lynn go here and put your address in and see if Sprint is in your neighborhood and if it is – then contact PCs For People
(a non-profit). https://coverage.sprint.com/IMPACT.jsp?kiosk
1. Use the box at top and enter address (pick yours as you type and it pops up).
2. A new sm. pop up will appear either close it or use “No thanks, show me all coverage”.
3. The Data tab in top menu should be underlined and legend (expanded) shows the darker gold colors is for 4GLTE Data that you’ll need for PCs For People to work.
If that’s a no go, then start you a draft noting the headings of Provider, how fast, equipment needed and extra expense, commitment period, and yearly cost overall.
Then start down the list with clickable links above and find the link in that covered Cheap Internets article for their homepage of the company and read it filling out your draft – in the end your leg work will be done – now make a choice of the best one for you from your draft information. I’d give it a week researching them all…
◾AT&T Access
◾BrightHouse Low-Income Internet
◾Cablevision Economy Internet
◾CenturyLink Internet Basics
◾Comcast Internet Essentials
◾Cox Low-Income Internet
◾Eagle Communications Low-Income Internet
◾Mediacom Low-Income Internet
◾Midco Low-Income Internet
◾PCs for People
◾Spectrum Internet Assist
◾Suddenlink Economy Internet
◾EveryoneOn.org
If this helps you and others here let the Cheap Internet people know – they help us the best they can and I’ll see it too.
TDSteve : )
TDSteve says
@Joel SanFilippo
Contact your credit card company by email and dispute the charges – they should investigate this charge then. If you never received any goods – ask the credit card company to reverse the charge back to your account. This way you have a paper trail for proof should you need one and can review it to refresh your memory.
It’s possible that there is no freeseetv.com site as that address come in as reserved and redirects to https://www.freeseemedia.com/
@Rachel
At the cost of two months with your current service – you could pay for the mobile internet device and 12 month of service with PCs for People. Then after the 12 months pass renew for just the internet charge of $10.00 a month when you pay annually. If Sprint’s service is in your home town please check out the
PCs for People article here on Cheap Internet
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet/pcs-for-people
-See my post at the very bottom of the page here mentioning PCs for People.
@Tiffany White
Same for you too, if Sprint’s service is in your home town please check out the PCs for People article here on Cheap Internet
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet/pcs-for-people
PCs for People contact information is in the article, as well as some older post I’ve made on the page in Cheap Internet’s article.
BottomLine:
—————–
PCs for People Internet is offered and delivered over the Sprint’s Mobile Network Towers in your City or Home Town via radio waves.
Desktop and Laptops in you home getting Internet by hardwired cable and phone lines can use the device PCs for People offers to pick up the Sprint’s data signals, and via a USB cable x1 PC or other PC’s via a Wi-Fi signal from the PCs for People device (hotspot) power up to 10 more individual PC’s in your homes to get internet.
The only downside is you must have Sprint’s service in your neighborhood.
Another thing to note is PCs for People will refund any unused months of pre-paid internet service when requested and the device (hotspot) cost if it’s returned within 7 days from the date the device is received.
See answers here-
https://pcsrefurbished.com/about/internetFAQ.aspx
Hope this helps : )
TDSteve
Joel SanFilippo says
I want you to know I ordered HDTV antenna from a link on your sight.
The link was for freeseetv.com. They overcharged my credit card and
when I emailed this info to them, it could not
be delivered because the email address they gave DOES NOT EXIST
I called my credit card company and they told me
the payment was already submitted by a company called warehouse (something
or other) I feel I have been scammed out of
about $100!!!
I’m 72 years old and living on a very low income. You folks are
supposed to be helping low income people. Cheap internet????
Thanks a lot for nothing!
joel sanfilippo
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Not possible, Joel. We are unaware of any links on this website to freeseetv.com. We only have one article on HDTV antennas and it does not include the link you mention.
Rachel says
When I hit “here” above to go in to the MapBox, it is NOT downloading.
I am elderly, ill, income way below the poverty level and desperately need help finding low cost internet, as I only make $800/month and they are charging me over $100/month just for internet service. If I don’t get help with this soon, I will have to give it up which will cost me great hardship as the computer is my lifeline. Thank you.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Don’t know what to tell you, Rachel. We’ve tested on numerous computers and they all work just fine. Keep trying.
Tiffany White says
I’m currently on Sec8 housing and receive Food Stamps is there a way I qualify for a low cost computer as well as a cable plan?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Here’s your problem, Tiffany: Current customers are not permitted to switch over to the low-income program. But you may qualify for one of the other non-Comcast programs. Check them all out at:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
TDSteve says
Good Job : )
Comes very close to my post about Cheap Internet making an article on “Digital Inclusion”.
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet/pcs-for-people
A 5 prong approach as, Digital Inclusion refers to the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
1) affordable, robust broadband internet service;
2) internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user;
3) access to digital literacy training;
4) quality technical support;
5) applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation and collaboration.
Of the listed (above) low-income service providers, PCs for People is the only one I personally know of that runs periodic sales throughout the year in a savings of 10% – 15% off there already low prices on everything covered in these site wide sales they offer.
PCs for People offers unlimited mobile internet service on Sprint’s 4G LTE network for schools, nonprofits and low-income individuals (via a modem Hotspot), for those who meet their eligibility requirements.
They distribute computers, accessories and internet at unmatched prices on a much larger national level for those able to have the Sprint network towers in their areas.
– – – – – – – – – – –
Cheap Internet – could this lead to funding by some States, or even some Federal programs in helping you out in running the site and personnel expenses? I’m all for that, (you’ve given me valuable info. over the years), and with maybe your becoming an official enrollment partner with EveryoneOn and following with comments on their social sites, could get you more site hits here! That couldn’t hurt things any as I see it…
By becoming an EveryoneOn Enrollment Partner you will facilitate access to low-cost Internet service and computer offers for everyone you serve through your organization and/or site contacts. EveryoneOn keeps track of how many people are accessing the low-cost Internet service and computer offers by creating a customized portal for your organization and site. Through this portal you will receive statistics on your digital inclusion efforts including unique URL visits. That you could be relaying here having a running site statistics widget of the counts of people you’ve helped out.
EveryoneOn gives you National Support, their always looking for ways to support their partners by best practices, hosting webinars, and highlighting your digital inclusion work on their blog. Equals more site hits for you…
Submit your application here, it couldn’t hurt –
https://everyoneon.org/enrollment-partner/
TDSteve