It’s taken a while. It’s been a long wait. But twenty-two companies have now petitioned the FCC to become Lifeline Broadband service providers and are currently in various stages of approval.
Some of them are well-known names from the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone business, such as Access Wireless, Assist Wireless, Blue Jay Wireless, enTouch Wireless, Life Wireless, Safelink Wireless, TruConnect, and Q Link Wireless.
Others are companies that use new technologies to provide low-cost cell and internet service, but are not part of the Lifeline Assistance program, such as Karma and FreedomPop.
And some companies are new names to us, such as Applied Research Design, Flat Wireless, Free Mobile, Kajeet, KonaTel, and Red Pocket (to name a few).
Some of the competitors are offering the new Lifeline Broadband service nationally, some in most states, and others in a small number of states.
But the bottom line is that you now have choices — lots of choices — that will provide you with internet and cell/internet bundles at prices low-income Americans can afford.
Oh, happy day!
Here is a complete list of the new Lifeline Broadband service providers and the states in which they will be available. We’ll add to this list as more companies come on board. None of these companies have outlined their Lifeline packages yet, so we will also update those facts and figures as soon as they become available.
i-wireless (Access Wireless)
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, PR (47 states plus DC, PR)
Applied Research Designs
IL
Assist Wireless
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, PR (37 states plus PR)
Blue Jay Wireless
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, PR (48 states plus DC and PR)
Boomerang/enTouch
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, PR (49 states plus DC and PR)
Cintex Wireless
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY (47 states plus DC, PR)
Easy Telephone Services
AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, MS, MO, OK, TX (9 states)
Airvoice (FeelSafe Wireless)
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, PR, VI (48 states, plus DC, PR and VI)
Flat Wireless, LLC
AZ, NM (2 states)
Free Mobile Inc.
AL, CA, FL, IL, MS, NJ, NY, TX (8 states)
STS Media (FreedomPop)
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC (48 states plus DC)
Kajeet
Nationwide
Karma Mobility
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, PR, VI (47 states plus DC, PR and VI)
KonaTel, Inc.
AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA ,MI, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TX (15 states)
Telrite (Life Wireless)
Nationwide
Plains Internet, LLC
TX (one state)
Q Link
Nationwide
Red Pocket
CA, FL, NY, PA (4 states)
SelecTel (SelecTel Wireless)
CA, IA, KY, OH, MO, NE, TX (7 states)
Spot On Networks, LLC
NY (one state)
Tracfone (Safelink Wireless)
Nationwide
TruConnect
AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, PR, VI (47 states plus DC, PR and VI)
In addition, one company Ztar Mobile, originally applied to become a Lifeline Broadband service provider, but has since withdrawn its application.
One thing to keep in mind
If you’re a Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone customer, please do not get your hopes up that Lifeline Broadband will be free. We expect most of the above companies to simply offer discounts on Lifeline Broadband and bundles.
But keep your fingers crossed. Maybe we’ll all be pleasantly surprised.
Teresa Hebert says
I previously had y’all as my service thru the snap program and Medicaid. My phone had gotten broken and I could not get another one without buying it and I don’t have extra money for that so my service got cut off due to none use after 30 days. I did get me a phone that is compatible with y’all but I would rather the home I internet instead. Is that an option for me. I’m n Louisiana.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You didn’t have service through us, Teresa, because we are not a service provider. This is an independent informational website.
Jawaroo says
Any options for Zip 31510? Sprint’s map says coverage is here but contacting Sprint they say the tower is 5 miles away and can’t explain why the map says there is internet coverage. I can’t find anything really affordable. Looks like all the Mobile Beacon partners and others use Sprint. Anybody use Verizon and offer low-cost internet or hotspot?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Readers? Any advice for Jabaroo?
Robin Lemons says
I live in billington, Tx and have been died to find them s lifeline Internet and keep being told its not offered at my address. I was under the assumption at least 1company had to offer it in rural areas. Is this not true?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Unfortunately, no. There are lots of rural areas of the United States that have no internet service. The problem is that it’s incredibly expensive to run cable. For example, a mile of cable might pass by hundreds of thousands of homes in a city, it might not even pass one home in a really rural area. Same cost of laying cable, but far less potential income.
When Catlett says
Looking for low income internet free of very cheap for seniors
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There are no widespread seniors’ programs yet, When. (By the way, you have the coolest name of the week.) But you may qualify for reasons other than your age. Check out all the low-income internet plans available to find the one that fits your needs best:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Pamela Post says
Thank You for the information
I live in Anchorage, Alaska 99504
Are there internet plans for my area?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out all the plans available in Alaska at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/states
But we feel that we should warn you that your options are limited in the Great White North.
Renee says
I receive food stamps and make a low part time income and would like to know how to apply. I live in Medford, Oregon 97501.
Thank you,
Renee Betterton
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There are a number of low-income internet plans available, Renee, and you should look at them all to figure out which ones are available in your area and which ones you are eligible for. Here’s where you can find complete info on all those plans:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Elaine Bates says
I receive snap benefits let me know if I qualify.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Each of the low income internet plans has different ways to qualify. Here’s where you can find them all and figure out if you qualify, Elaine:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
saphrey robison says
I have contacted these companies where the so called cheap internet is offered. I live in Sikeston, Missouri and all of them told me the same thing Spectrum and AT&T put all the cables in and you can only get internet service through them. and no one else. So the information you are giving out is not accurate. And the only low cost internet AT&T offers is for people who receive food stamps. And Spectrum does not offer any low cost internet service. There is no low cost internet service for seniors out there. Seniors don’t have school age children in the home most of the tome. And if a person is 65 they receive social security not SSI.so they are also disqualified. Please check your facts before you publish stuff in the future.call these companies andget the truth
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
How about if you do a little more research, Saphrey, before you shoot your freakin’ mouth off. Your comment is wrong about so many things that we’re not going to waste our time responding.
Erlinda says
Saphrey Robison I am 74 years old and I start receiving SSI (not social security ) when I turned 65. Do some research about SSI and social security.
Carol Thomas says
I’m looking foe internet foe seniors.I have a monthly social lsecurity check. Internet is so expensive here in Missouri. So I need to find one cheap .
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There is no widespread program yet available for seniors, Carol. However, there are a number of plans available and you may be eligible for one of them. Check them all out here:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Lynn Bullington says
thank u
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You’re very welcome, Lynn.
Evelin says
Im on disabilty . Where and how do i apply for free internet service?
Jean T. says
What is the difference between Lifeline Assistance and Lifeline Broadband???
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Lifeline Assistance is the “free government cell phone” program. It is a very close brother (sister?) of the Lifeline Broadband plan. Unfortunately, after initially approving the Lifeline Broadband program, the FCC has now put it on hold.
Lynnette Johnson says
I was turned down by centurylink for their low income basics program only because I have had their service for 3 years…I qualified due to low income…what can I do to help get this changed…this is rediculous…I’ve struggled for 3 years to pay the hundreds I have gave that company and they turned me down because I already have the service and am paying $40 a month???????
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Here’s what we’d suggest, Lynnette. Take a look at all the low-income plans offered to see if you can find another one you qualify for that’s available in your area. In particular, pay attention to PCs for People and 4GCommunity:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Nancy Pennypincher says
I ran into this B.S. with CenturyLink as well, several years back. I called and they claimed that as a current customer, I didn’t qualify for the reduced rate even though I met the other qualifications, and that it was programmed into the system and they couldn’t override it. A supervisor claimed the same thing.
I told them, “Well, then, you are going to lose a long-time customer. Cancel my internet service today. I will be looking at other options and may never come back…or I may return in 90 days to get the low income rate, per your rules.” They said, “You can’t do that!” I said, “Hey, YOU wrote the rules, I’m just playing the game according to YOUR rules.” They said, “It can’t be done.” I said, “I guess we’ll find out in 90 days, won’t we?”
On the 91st day, I called and just asked to start Low Income internet Service. They entered my info into the system and said, “It’ll be on in xx hours.” I kept the service for the next five years. When they showed that I was in Month 59 of 60 and that the price would jump to their regular unaffordable price after Month 60, I cancelled just in time. I was moving anyway.
Now I live about 15 miles away, my building is served by CenturyLink as well, and I will be attempting to find out if the system is programmed to catch people who have already used up their five year max.
P.S. The documents on the website that I see in the Seattle area are messed up. They show links to two application forms that are supposed to be for different groups of states, but the forms don’t list the states and are nearly identical. They are also missing a page. And they appear to only give lease or buy options for the modem, but since I still have their modem, I don’t want to pay for a new one. So, we’ll see what happens.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Interesting story, Ms Pennypincher. Please let us know what happens. We’d be interested in hearing and so would our readers.
Carol says
when will internet plans be available in Tucson AZ
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
The much-anticipated Lifeline Broadband plan has been put on hold, but there are other low-income internet plans available and you should check them out. We’re confident that at least one will help you out in Tucson:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Lori Alford says
I was talking about the Lifeline service~ if it is already implemented for phones how much harder could it be for internet access??? I believe it is ALL ABOUT THE MONEY AIN’T A DAMN THING FUNNY!!!
Lori Alford says
This service would be GREAT!!! If it ever gets off the ground. Why is there always so much hoopla when trying to help the poverty stricken portions of our country. Is it because the bottom line is how can they get paid to do the right thing. Maybe if more people had internet access they would be climbing out of poverty and contributing to the economy of the world and our future generations
Jan Sterling says
i am trying to find low cost internet only for my granddaughter who is a single parent with one small daughter and another baby due next month – because her tv is a smart tv her mom was paying for internet so she could view youtube but now her mom no longer has extra income for that so i thot if i could help – her mom was paying $50 for charter internet only and feel that is really high especially for low-income people – she lives in victorville, california so dont know what is available there for her – i have frontier fios in apple valley which is nearby but she said there is no fios in her area – all she wants is internet – no tv – so she can go online with computer and use youtube
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We’ve done all the hard work, Jan, so now all you need to do is look at all the low-income plans available at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
By the way, go Inland Empire, go.