Back in November 2019, T-Mobile CEO John Legere announced that the new, merged behemoth would roll out a free, low-income internet plan to help poor American children close the “homework gap.”
Well, a U.S. District Judge just approved the deal, so it will soon be time for Legere, T-Mobile and Sprint to put up or shut up.
Here’s how CNET.com describes the latest news:
The end is in sight for T-Mobile and Sprint after nearly two years of waiting to close their $26.5 billion merger. On Tuesday, US District Judge Victor Marrero gave the green light to the deal, rejecting claims that combining the third- and fourth largest national wireless carriers would be anticompetitive.
Fourteen state attorneys general, led by those of New York and California, opposed the transaction and sued in federal court earlier this year to stop the deal. Their argument was simple: Combining the companies would dramatically reduce competition and lead to higher prices for consumers.
But the judge didn’t buy this argument, saying that the merger was unlikely to “substantially lessen competition.” He said it was “misleading” to presume the deal would be anticompetitive given the rapid changes in the industry.
According to T-Mobile’s “Project 10 Million,” ten million low-income households will receive free access to the internet over the next five years. On top of that, the company says it will spend another $700 million to put hardware, hot spots, and reduced-cost devices in those same households.
Eligible families, the company says, will receive “up to 100GB of free internet access each year, one free Wi-Fi enabled hot spot, and the option to purchase select Wi-Fi enabled devices at the company’s cost.” 100GB won’t be enough to handle gaming and watching movies, but it’s certainly plenty to accomplish the company’s goal — to help kids get ahead in school.
T-Mobile is saying all the right things. The company intends to work with local community organizations to build an enrollment..
“You show us where they are, and we’ll jointly figure out a way to get this in their hands,” said CEO Legere.
That being said, some of the details are still a bit hazy. T-Mobile president and COO Mike Sievert said, “We’re gonna allocate them based on some simple principles. They’re for families with children that are school-aged, families that don’t meet a certain income threshold, and who are under connected.” In other words, a little something for everyone.
Now that the merger deal between T-Mobile and Sprint has officially been approved, we’ll be keeping tabs on the situation to see how this program develops. Check back here again for details because we’ll keep you posted. Let’s see if T-Mobile’s actions live up to its promises.
h/t: Verge
Dorothy says
ckbkmama says,
My internet company keeps raising the rate. I just can’t afford to keep up. I make a lot less than $50k and need to find a cheaper internet service that is reliable.
Dottie, ABQ,NM
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out the options available in your state at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/states
Gerry Monroe h says
Hope this is good as it sounds
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Us too.
MIKal james SWANTON says
thanks sprint t mobile
Ki says
I live in Cascilla, ms and none of these services are available to us !! Nobody is willing to help and even if u pay deerly what u can’t afford for mobile u still have crappy 1g 2 g maybe lte but it’s horrible and needs to be addressed
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
What you’ve described is a common problem for people in rural areas.
thisworldsucks says
Single low-income people ignored yet again. Because internet access is for kids only?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There are other low-income internet plans for which the qualifications do not revolve around kids. Here’s where you can check them all out:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
By the way, it breaks our hearts to see your screen name. We think the world is actually a pretty damn good place and there are lots of safety nets in place for low-income people. If you really believe “This World Sucks,” we hope you’ll get some professional help that allow you to take on a sunnier view of the world.
SupraGod says
My heart literally does not break to hear their username is This World Sucks for many reasons. One being it is a subjective name. They could own a Vacuum company that is called “This World Sucks” and they could be very good and awesome.
Another subjective view is that is indeed a very bad world for them as it is for me and people should know that is whats happening to us. 86 million people die every year and a high percentage from incredibly painful causes such as torture of the mind and body through hundreds of sicknesses, viruses, psychopathic criminals and scary dementia.
For you to say that this world is a “pretty damn good place” is also agreeing that this world is a bad place. Damn is a biblical rooted word that is used when God curses someone into suffering and torture. For you to call it a pretty good thing for this to happen makes you a sadomasochist and or a psychopath that also needs to have help with your brain.
To exclusively see the “sunny side of the world” as some may suggest is being ignorant to the harsh truth that this a terrible place that lets us know it could be so much better but rots us away and kills our friends and family’s. Whatever is responsible for this I can assure you will be severely punished because that is why I am here to serve justice to that being and set you straight.
Do you comply?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You’re going to set us straight? You go right ahead and live on the dark side, Supra, and we’ll continue to believe what we believe. That’s just how we sadomasochists and psychopaths are.
Marcelle (Marci) Hamilton-Ditty says
I need to find new internet service. Our low income is supposed to make us eligible
for disabled seniors, however since I haven’t asked for food stamps,etc, this seems a bit
difficult. I just learned this week that you are now T-Mobile. I do not have internet at this
time. Previously I had CenturyLink. I am using my Grandson’s now, but will be closed soon. Can you help me?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We are not T-Mobile. This is an independent informational website. Here’s where you can check out all the low-income internet plans. Check them all out carefully to find the one that fits your needs best:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Terry Burgess says
Hello and thanks for the offer I am low income and need it here in Montgomery West Virginia there are many others to
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We’d love to accept your thanks, Terry, but we’re not one of the service providers bringing you these services. This is merely an independent informational website. Good luck.
linda flores says
Hello ,My name is Linda Flores, I am a Rio Salado college student, Rio Salado college sent me this loqw cost link, I have PC Metro phone, now is with Tmobile, for more than 4 years I am low inmcome , I get soscial security benefits, how or where I should appiy to get Low cost internet, I would like to pay one yea rone full payment, Thank you.
Linda Flores.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Look up at the top of the page where it says “Low Income Internet.” That’s where you can find all the current low-income internet plans. Here’s a link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Each listing contains an extensive list of states and cities where those plans are available. Check them all out to find the one that fits your needs best. They each have slightly different eligibility rules, so make sure you check those out. You might be eligible for some plans, but not eligible for others.
Now here’s an answer to something you didn’t ask. T-Mobile does not participate in the Lifeline free government cell phone program. They offer Lifeline discounts, but not free phones. You should check out all the free government pans over at our other website:
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net
It sounds as if your qualify for a free plan, so you should check it out.
Henry says
I used to have T-Mobile internet at 3 GB for $15 a month. With this program of 100 GB a year for free, I will take that in a heartbeat.
Henry says
Looking at T-Mobile’s website description of the Project 10 Million program, it appears targeted for low income households with school aged children. So the free program will not apply to households with no children. The company program video emphasized “every child connected”.
The company site also mentions a program called T-Mobile Connect that anyone can join. It offers 2 GB for $15 per month and 5 GB for $25 per month. Not that good of a deal compared to other programs.
Michelle Coleman says
i am able to get internet for 10 a month but they want me to cancel what i have for 3 months then sign up again , they are nuts to make people do that….when will they help us seniors an low income people to get online without going without for 3 months to get their helpful deal…..not right……..
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
The same flaw is the curse of all these programs.
Ella Keithley says
Agree…
Thomas (Tom) atkielski says
How about us low income seniors who happen to be Vet’s too? We would like usage of the type the schoolkids have! Are there plans available for us, who would like to see Movies, Sports events and other programs relating to Science? But who provides those things? This money hungry Society, especially big Co’s already earning Billions, can easily afford seniors who are earning $515.00 a month!!! Thanks, TOM A
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There are a number of programs that provide low-cost, low-income internet for people in your situation. Check them all out to find the ones that fits your needs best:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet