North Carolina is the 18th most connected state and has 90 broadband providers. So you might be tempted to think that everyone in the state has high speed internet. Unfortunately, there are 100,000 people in North Carolina with no access to broadband. No cable. No DSL. No fixed wireless. No mobile internet. Nothing.
Of the 9.9 million North Carolinians, 1.1 million 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). Another 229,000 are stuck with low data caps because their home internet connection is either fixed wireless or mobile broadband.
The state’s overall poverty rate is 17.9%. Its child poverty rate is a horrifying 26%. Its senior poverty rate is 14%. And its extreme poverty rate is 7.6%.
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
- Access from AT&T
- Spectrum Internet Assist
- Comcast’s Internet Essentials
- Connect2Compete (EveryoneOn)
- Mediacom
- SuddenLink
- Windstream
- Frontier Communications
- 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, there are no FCC-authorized Lifeline Broadband Pilot Programs being conducted in North Carolina.
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. 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.”
Some states have passed laws making it almost impossible for municipalities to establish their own broadband networks. North Carolina is one of those states. According to ArsTechnica.com, the state has “‘Numerous’ requirements (that) make it impractical to provide public communications services. ‘For example, public entities must comply with unspecified legal requirements, impute phantom costs into their rates, conduct a referendum before providing service, forego popular financing mechanisms, refrain from using typical industry pricing mechanisms, and make their commercially sensitive information available to their incumbent competitors.'”
Nevertheless, several communities have managed to get the job done and now offer these services to their residents:
Provider: Fibrant Communications
Website: fibrant.info
Phone: 704-216-7567
Services Offered: Data, Voice, Video
Area Served: Salisbury
Fibrant Communications is a community-owned public utility that proudly offers Salisbury, North Carolina residents lightning-fast fiber-optic internet speeds you might expect to find in big cities.
Provider: Greenlight
Website: greenlightnc.com
Phone: 252-399-2200
Services Offered: Voice, Data, Video
Area Served: Wilson
Greenlight is North Carolina’s only all fiber optic network. It provides faster internet access, as well as superior TV images and dependable phone service. As the community-owned utility says, “No more calls to who-knows-where. Greenlight is a service of the City of Wilson, NC.”
Provider: MI-Connection
Website: mi-connection.com
Phone: 704-660-3840
Services Offered: Data, Video, Voice
Area Served: Mooresville, Davidson and Cornelius
MI-Connection offers residents of the neighboring towns of Mooresville, Davidson and Cornelius “the fastest residential Broadband Internet in the market – hands down!” Of course, every broadband provider says the same thing, but we doubt that the residents of those three towns are complaining.
Lois love says
I’m trying to help a relative who lives in Asheville North Carolina and is low income. Her ZIP Code is 28805.
The items and comments on this website seem to not be recent. Please write me and let me know whether this is still a helpful website in 2021.
MARSHA JONES says
I applied for full disability in May of 2010 and they actually called me in early September of 2010 to say I was approved! Even though all of my afflictions are degenerative and are worse now than ever, 2 years ago when I became eligible for social security they started calling my checks that instead of disability. They say I am still eligible for disability but no more money. I do get “Extra Help” from medicaid who pays my medicare premiums and discounts all my medicines-thank God. Now I just need help w/ the internet cost, Thank you very much.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You need to enroll with one of the low-income plans available in your state, Marsha.
dawn m hubbell says
I live in an extremely rural area that basically gets no service other than pcs for people from sprint, but the service is very spotty, and I haven’t had stable internet for the majority of the year with 0 credits to my account, and Hughs net satelite I think are my only options, and I’m pretty sure Hughs net doesn’t offer any discounts, I’m disabled and I have a child that qualifies for the school lunch program. We can’t function or use the phone without internet! I know there is a rural internet program that is just barely runs close to us but nothing where I live, any ideas?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
It’s often very difficult for rural residents, Dawn, and there’s not much we can do. We’d suggest that you contact each of the companies to find out which ones service your area best.
Rena White says
I live in Chocowinity North Carolina is there I senior citizens internet around here.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
There is no national plan designed just for senior citizens, Rena. But that does not mean you can’t qualify for other reasons. Check out all the low-income internet plans at this link to find the ones that fit your needs best:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Christy Wright says
Presently have Time Warner Cable/Spectrum Internet/phone/TV; rates keep going up & up so now my bill is $160 a month; I am a single, disabled mother who gets no child support & presently having to Home School daughter due to health issues. I have to have Internet; Spectrum is telling me if I cancel the TV & Phone, I will still have to pay up to $100 a month for internet alone – they will not budge. Century Link has a internet plan but you have to also take Nationwide Long Distance phone which I don’t need–I use my cell phone; basically no other alternatives. I live in town in Asheboro, NC; if anyone knows of any alternative please share with me.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out two other options — PCs for People and 4GCommunity. They are great options IF they’re available in your area. Here’s where you can find a list of all the low-income service providers:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Brenda says
I’m 70 yrs old, living on VERY low income from SS and my Spectrum bill just went up to $85 for landline and internet, which I’m turning off next week. Recently approved for free cell phone from Assurance wireless and will now have to do without internet, which is the only way to pay my bills since I don’t drive to mail them. I found several companies online for low cost internet but when I called, was told that they no longer were available. I’ve figured out that these companies apply for money from the federal government for money to build up their company, under the condition that they benefit low income people..THEN after they get their money, they change the rules. Have contacted my legislators about this and advise others to do the same.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check out all the currently available plans at the following link, Brenda. Check them all out thoroughly to find the one that fits your needs best:
There are a number of low-income internet plans available, Reda. You can check them all out and find the one that fits your needs best at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Brandy says
Hi I am looking for any advice you may be able to give me. My spouse & I have had direct TV since 6/2015.Even though we have been a week or so late we never were at risk for disconnect.My spouse became disabled(waiting for disability hearing #2),and I was laid off so we decided to do away with Verizon service,and bundled our direct TV with at&t internet&home phone service. This was supposed to save us money,but now we are going to lose all services because they say we owe over $500. We have been paying on what we thought was all 3 services,but according to the last rep we spoke with our monies have only gone to at&t. They do not honor their agreements and it’s really been a nightmare. We have recently been approved for food stamps,but I fear it’s too late to get help. We also don’t understand how we have incurred all this debt with these companies since we only bundled at the end of October. Do you have any suggestions for us?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We cannot address the issue about how much you owe, because we don’t know enough about the issues involved. But we would recommend that you take a look at two other plans — PCs for People and 4GCommunity. They are great options if they are available in your area. Here’s where you can find out more:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Stacy Henson says
Is there a internet provider that offers discount rates for low income famlies in Tryon, NC?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We are unable to accurately track availability in local areas, Stacy. So you need to go through all the low-income internet plans shown on the following page:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
You’ll probably find at least one plan available in your area for which you qualify. Good luck.
Gabby says
We are on limited income [husband disabled] with serious health problems. We use internet to converse back & forth with his doctors 70 miles away. We have Time Warner Internet [had to drop TV-could no longer afford] & are presently paying $14.99 + taxes & modem fee for a total of $25.00 month. They are trying to force us to up our service by slowing down our speed almost to a crawl & keeps kicking us out. The next step up is $39.99 + modem + taxes & would be over $50 a month. We cannot handle that–impossible–we just became eligible for food stamps based on his expensive drugs totaling before insurance $35,000 a year. We are getting a $8 discount on our home phone but it is still $40 a month–only service provider is a Rural Telephone Membership. We have no cell phone service except in the yard at a particular place so the landline is a must for 911 services. Do you have any suggestions & do you know anything about the Costco free internet service?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We’ve never heard anything about a Costco free internet service. We tried to research it, but found no references to it after 2013. We’ll keep looking and let you know if we find any new info.
Unfortunately, disability does not automatically qualify you for any of the cheap Internet plans. We think it should, and we hope one of the large service providers adds it to the list, but so far there’s nothing.
Here’s our suggestion: Check out the PCs for People plan. You can find more information about it on this page:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
penny says
I am on diability, I receive life line phone, and LEAP program assistance w/heat, ,medicaid, food stamps, am I eligable for this cheap…….internet?