Keep up the good work, Connecticut. You’re now the 2nd most connected state and have 29 broadband providers doing business in the state.
Considering those outstanding numbers, you may not be surprised to learn that there are just 1,000 people in Connecticut with no access to broadband. No cable. No DSL. No fixed wireless. No mobile internet. Nothing.
Of the 3.6 million Connecticutians, 68,000 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). Approximately 11,000 of those are forced to cope with low data caps because their only sources for internet are fixed wireless or mobile broadband.
Considering how many wealthy New Yorkers commute back and forth between Connecticut and the Big Apple, you might think the state’s poverty stats would be better than they are in reality. The state’s overall poverty rate is 10.7%. Its child poverty rate is 15%. Its senior poverty rate is 9%. And its extreme poverty rate is 4.8%.
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
- Cablevision Economy Internet
- Frontier Communications
- Connect2Compete (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.
- 4G Community
- Karma
- FreedomPop Mobile Internet
- FreedomPop Home Internet
- NetZero DSL
- NetZero 4G Mobile Broadband
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.
Unfortunately, none of the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline Broadband Pilot Program were conducted in Connecticut.
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, there are no municipal broadband networks operating in the state of Connecticut.
Alex says
I attempted to sign up for Comcast over the phone but they said their service is not available in Connecticut.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
It’s available in the markets we listed. But that doesn’t mean it’s available everywhere in those markets.
Razi Sharafieh says
HI folks, I am a senior citizen, trying to get a low cost internet service, but I am punished because I am not on any public assistance program. Can you help me find one that doesn’t have that requirement ?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out PCs for People, Razi. It offers plans with much more flexible requirements.
Valery LaRochelle says
looking for low income internet. family and some friends have provided our kids with smart phones but we have no internet. I have an obama phone and cant even get an upgrade to a smart phone that the new customers are getting for free. We live in waterbury ct and options are confusing. Please help me get the best info out there
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You have other options that are not shown on our Connecticut page, Valery (we’re going to take this opportunity to update our state page). The missing plans are:
Spectrum (formerly Charter)
PCs for People
4GCommunity
Go to this link and you will find all the additional service providers offering low-income internet plans:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet