Arizona is the 20th most connected state and has 81 broadband providers spread across its huge, relatively empty spaces.
There are 111,000 people in Arizona with no access to broadband. No cable. No DSL. No fixed wireless. No mobile internet. Nothing.
Of the 6.7 million Arizonans, 535,000 have access to only one wired provider. Of course, that means ISP (internet service provider) can old them hostage, raise rates, or alter the terms and conditions of their contract. Because those people have no competitive options). A shocking 240,000 must cope with the inconvenience of low data caps on their home internet usage because their only choice of internet service is fixed wireless or mobile broadband.
Now let’s spend a moment discussing the state’s needy. The overall poverty rate is 18.6%. The child poverty rate is 27%. The senior poverty rate is 14%. And when it comes to the poorest of the poor, the extreme poverty rate is 8.9%.
But fear not, because CheapInternet.com knows a number of ways you can get high-speed broadband internet access at prices far cheaper than you ever imagined possible.
Low-income Internet Options
Here is the internet’s most complete list of companies and organizations that offer low-income Americans low-cost, high-speed internet access. And when we say low-cost, we’re talking about plans whose prices range from free to $14.95 per month for broadband internet. Different companies offer different prices, different types of Internet (i.e., cable, DSL or mobile), and different ways to qualify, so check them all out to see which low-income program is right for you. Click on any of the programs below to see full details on what they offer.
- ConnectAll
- Spectrum Internet Assist
- Comcast’s Internet Essentials
- Cox Low-Income Internet
- Frontier Communications
- SuddenLink
- Mediacom
- EveryoneOn
- PC’s for People
- Coming soon: Lifeline Broadband
Other Low-cost Internet Options
What if you want to sign up for a cheap internet plan, but don’t qualify under the rules of the plans shown above? Or what if none of those plans are offered in your area? Luck may still be on your side, because there are other low-cost plans available for you if you know where to look. And at CheapInternet.com, we know where to look. Here’s a brief review of other low-cost options that may be available in your area.
Lifeline Broadband Pilot Programs
The Lifeline Assistance program, which offers free government cell phones to low-income Americans, has helped millions of needy Americans. The program has been so successful that the Federal Communications Commission decided to investigate the possibility of creating a similar program called Lifeline Internet or Lifeline Broadband.
Fourteen cable companies and service organizations were selected by the FCC to test pilot programs in various regions around the country. The pilot programs looked into the impact of various pricing plans, discounts, and equipment.
We expect the FCC to announce the results of the pilot programs and perhaps even announce the introduction of an official Lifeline Broadband (or Lifeline Internet) program before the end of 2014. Although you can no longer sign up nor participate in these programs, you may be interested in seeing what the future of free internet may look like in your state.
Who: Gila River Telecommunications
Where: Arizona
Budget: $323,100
Contact: 520-796-3333
This pilot program conducted by Gila River Telecommunications, NeoNova Network Services, Tinhorn Consulting and Letha Lamb, tested the impact of varying subsidy amounts, access to discounted equipment and broadband speeds on adoption. Each subscriber participating in the pilot program was randomly assigned to one of five groups differentiated by price points (with subsidies ranging from $23.24 to $38.24 per month), speed and access to equipment to determine which combination of prices and services proved most attractive to consumers.
Who: Hopi Telecommunications
Where: Arizona
Budget: $226,752
Contact: 928-738-2201
Hopi, in partnership with Connected Nation, tested the impact a flat subsidy of $39.95 for three different broadband service plans (with variations of speed and access to discounted equipment). The expectation was that Hopi Telecommunications would report which combination of price and service level was most effective in stimulating consumer demand.
Municipal Broadband Networks
Wikipedia defines a Municipal Broadband Network (often called Community Broadband Network) like this: “Municipal broadband deployments are broadband Internet access services provided either fully or partially by local governments.[1] Common connection technologies include unlicensed wireless (Wi-Fi, wireless mesh networks), licensed wireless (such as WiMAX), and fiber-optic. Although many cities previously deployed Wi-Fi based solutions, municipal fiber-to-the-home networks are becoming more prominent because of increased demand for modern audio and video applications.”
Unfortunately, no muni networks are currently offered in Arizona
Patrick says
I live in Kearny, AZ and have limited choises for internet. Century Link is at capacity and the only other option I have found is Hughes Net which can get pricey if you don’t watch your data usage closely.
Are there any other options out here?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Visit highspeedinternet.com and plug in your zip code to find all the internet service providers in your area.
Shirley Anderson says
I am a disabled senior citizen live on a pension with no Social security even though I paid into it because as I was told my pension is the same as social security because I worked for the government. By the time I pay my Rent & Utilities I have to decide if I should pay for my medication or food much less afford internet service which I need just to be able to pay my bills I have tried purchasing a Net zero broadband the price keep going up and I was charged even though I had not used most of the priced Services I have found I need this Service for most everything that pretains to every day living information. I am not the type of person that plays on my phone I had enough of being on the phone while I worked. It seems everything I need I have to turn to the internet. I don’t even have cable TV service. I have been paying for a WiFi hotspot since the end of last year which I have not been able to use because it keeps giving me one exuse or another I’ve been living at this address for 7months it keeps telling me I’m out of range I’m in the middle of the city. I was told to go to the closest phone service of my provider of course they are all Franzises so they refused to help you, only to purchase from them. My service is way out where I used to live so I have been unable to get help with my no internet connection or problem with my phone service I haven’t even be able to get into my bank account. I cannot afford the high cost of Internet. I use to pay for Cox Cable and for what ever reason I was getting totally Ripped off so I finally had to cancel there service. WouldYou believe I was finally told by more than one employee that my nternet was not plugged in at their end that’s why I wasn’t receiving my internet connection.Duh. These employees happen to be NEW.
Phoenix AZ
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out all the low-income internet plans outlined at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Pay particular attention to PCs for People, which is a great option if it’s available in your area. It is income-based, not program-based, so you will probably qualify.
Kaye Fenley says
This is 2019. How do I sign up for Internet in Tucson as a low income senior?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Did you read the article on this page, Kaye?
Michele & Tony Neal says
We live in the east valley, Gilbert, Arizona.
My husband and I are both 57, enrolled in SNAP, on Medicade, receive SSI, and have no kids in the home.
We had regular internet and phone through Qwest, but each month we fell farther behind in our bill. They disconnected our service and we can’t get their “Basics” service until we pay the past due!
He has a cell phone through LifeWireless as part of the “Lifeline” program but could not get the internet service working, and we’re thinking about getting home phone and broadband from lifeline instead of the cell.
My question is how?
How do we cancel the one and sign up for the other? Cas this be done?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
No problem, Michele and Tony. Here’s an article that tells you exactly how to make the switch.
Please note that the link above takes you to a different website, FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net, our other website. We’re not sure what’s going on today, but we’ve had a bunch of questions here on CheapInternet.com asking about free government cell phones. ?????
Ronnie Thompson says
Yes I am on social security and wondering if there is a low income or disabled program for me
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You’re on the right page, Ronnie. Check out the programs listed on this page to determine the ones for you are eligible.
Gini says
I live in Peoria As 85382. I take care of a disabled person who cannot afford internet. He has safe link phone. Where could I get free or cheap internet for him?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Start by reading the article on this page, Gini.
Mary A Ordiway says
I am on snap and have no kids at home how can I get low income internet cable and phone for home I live in Tucson az.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out the companies and plans listed on this page, Mary. You’ll surely qualify for some of them.
Amber Evangelesta says
Flagstaff az, any services?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Did you look through the entire list of service providers on this page, Amber?
Vicki Morrison says
I am in snap but have no school age children in my home how can I get low income internet. I live in Phoenix
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There are a couple plans that may be available to you. We’d suggest that you take a look at two different plans, Vicki. With a little luck they will be available where you live (none of the plans are available everywhere). Look up PCs for People and 4GCommunity at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Amy T. says
Hi I am on disability, and snap. Although have no children in my home. I live in Tucson, Az. What provider is available to me? Thank You
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There’s no way for us to break the various providers down to individual neighborhoods. The provider who is available on one side of the street may not be available on the other side. So the only way for you to find out which service providers are available for you is to contact them (or, alternately, go to their websites and see if they allow you to plug in your zip code). Here’s where you can find a list of all the low-income programs:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
steve sanchez says
Please let me know if these servicrs are avalable to me thank you
deanna says
I need the cheapest internet out there .Dont know if I qalify for low income I am on foodstamps and medicade. I would like to get home phone with cell phone and cable but I really need internet. I used to go threw my neibors but theres got turn off so I am desperate. Thanks