The Federal Communications Commission would be out of business if it had to compete at the whirlwind pace Silicon Valley companies have come to take for granted. It’s taken the FCC far longer to figure out how to subsidize broadband internet than it takes any competent private company to research and develop and manufacture of the average cell phone
Our sources tell us that the government watchdog is finally getting ready to announce Lifeline Internet, a subsidized Internet access program very similar to the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program. This follows years of seemingly endless proposals, pilot programs, analysis, and debate.
We’re embarrassed to admit that we predicted this program would be announced way back in 2014. We have, however, learned an important lesson: Never underestimate the time it will take the government to accomplish anything. Especially the FCC.
On July 28, 2014 we headlined a story: “A BOLD PREDICTION: Lifeline Broadband will be here by the end of 2014”.
It seemed like a reasonable prediction at the time, but it appears that we took a saw up a tree and cut off the limb we were sitting on. But that didn’t stop us from once again underestimating the FCC on May 4, 2014 when our sister website, FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net said:
CheapInternet.com, our sister website, went out on a limb in the middle of last year and predicted that Lifeline Broadband would be introduced “by the end of 2014.” It now appears that while the editors of CheapInternet.com were off on the timing of the announcement, but they were right on regarding the essentials of program.
We now anticipate a FCC announcement within the next couple months — an announcement that will surely be greeted with cheers by the millions of needy Americans who cannot currently afford the typical monthly rates charged by internet service providers. And although we certainly don’t want to climb out on a limb with the editors of CheapInternet.com, we do agree with them that Lifeline Broadband will probably offer high-speed internet to low-income Americans at very affordable prices.
Well, here we go again. According to the New York Times, the FCC is once again promising to announce progress on Lifeline Internet.
The agency on Tuesday will circulate a final proposal to F.C.C. members to approve a broadband subsidy of $9.25 a month for low-income households, in the government’s boldest effort to date to narrow a technological divide that has emerged between those who have web access and those who do not. While more than 95 percent of households with incomes over $150,000 have high-speed Internet at home, just 48 percent of those making less than $25,000 can afford the service, the F.C.C.’s chairman, Tom Wheeler, has said.
The new plan will be wrapped into the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program. It is expected to be approved in a March 31 vote by FCC commissioners.
Unfortunately, the plan it’s getting ready to introduce is a day late and a dollar short. Or perhaps we should say two years late and $50 short.
The Times article stumbled upon the key problem with Lifeline Internet without actually recognizing or acknowledging it.
Any broadband subsidy could substantially reduce monthly Internet fees that average $52.50 in urban areas, but are often purchased as part of more expensive bundles that include television and phone service.
The problem? As its name suggests, the free government cell phone program puts cell phones into the hands of America’s neediest citizens for free. But a $9.25 monthly discount on a $52.50 monthly high-speed broadband bill is meaningless to someone who runs out of grocery money by the middle of the month, or to someone who can’t afford the gasoline to drive to work.
The Times reports that “Democratic commissioners at the F.C.C. have argued that there is an urgent need to update the Lifeline fund for broadband as homework, job searches, and health and other services increasingly move online.”
We couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately, we believe this new wrinkle in the free government cell phone program will be an abject failure unless the subsidy brings high-speed broadband prices down to a level that America’s neediest citizens can actually afford.
Too bad that’s not part of the government’s plan.
HannahRose says
Where do I apply for this discount on internet? I have TMobile and turned 65 in September but have been disabled by multiple sclerosis and several other severe health issues since before February 2000. Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to check out our other website, HannahRose. CheapInternet.com will tell you everything you need to know about low-income internet service:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/
Colleen says
It surely would be nice to have Broadband Internet at low cost of $9.25 a month. I’m on low income pay $86.00 a month for Broadband and just local phone service that is way to high for me soon I will have to stop the internet if something doesn’t come around cheaper for us Senior Citizens. It’s hard to make ends meet on little income.I have to chose either internet, or food it gets harder every day…Please Help us get lower costs of the Internet…Thank You and God Bless!
AB says
Why don’t you let all of us know which of are political so called leaders are against lifeline internet and cell phones?We here in Ohio vote in i I/2 months..Maybe we can vote them out.
kentuckywoman2 says
Safelink is sending messages to subscribers saying that FCC changes will take away our free phones. Is this true? From what I’m reading into this, the only changes being made would affect Internet, not phone.
Is Safelink incorrectly reading this?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are unable to make any intelligent assessment of the message until we can see the message itself. Can you forward it to us?
Steve says
Hello FGCP,
I think I got a similar message this post speaks of.
I’m with Life Wireless and this is the SMS on 03/12/2016 sent to me-
URGENT: FCC action could end your Lifeline plan by December 2016! If free basic wireless voice service is important to you, reply YES to sign the petition!
———————————————————
Two things come to mind here-
1. Scare tactics and no forwarded info. to make a good and informed choice.
2. A national move of Lifeline suppliers to move against the FCC decision.
———————————————————-
Couldn’t it be that calls over cell networks are maybe going the VOIP route – if the Lifeline program gets broadband (Wireless Data Internet) and already new phones use Wi-Fi if there’s a signal connection to do this.
*(not that I’ve herd any Lifeline ones doing this).
So regular cell calls for these Lifeline suppliers are going to be fazed out maybe, if the FCC moves to an all DATA offering system for Lifeline – making them (Lifeline suppliers)now having to spend mega bucks to swap out equipment both company and for their subscribers/users to offer the service then.
JUST MY THOUGHTS OR 2 cents – what do you think?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We think both of your assumptions are correct — scare tactics and an attempt to protect the cell companies’ turf.
Lynn Smith says
Since becoming disabled and unable to work, I live below the federal poverty line. I have not bought toilet paper when it is not on sale in the past decade. The same applies for all necessities. I pay $10/mo for my cell phone. (250 minutes is adequate for me.) I have not been able to get a free gov’t. cell phone service (which I qualify for) that actually works. Budget has sent me 4 phones in 4 months-never cancelling SIM card activity on any of them-none of them work beyond the ability to make a 30 second bad quality call -outside my home-before the call drops. The only other co. that is providing lifeline cell service has been unable to complete my application-I get a pink envelope to apply for lifeline-which I already have-every few weeks, but somehow Virgin is unable to process anything-and, no-no info on my part is missing. While I could certainly use almost $20/mo with free cell service and help w/internet-the only media I pay for, I have no confidence the availability will translate into reality. Would I have to switch ISP (which for me includes “free” landline-free except $15/mo in fees and taxes-and the co. I use does not sell internet separately.)? Really not worth the hassle-and I doubt Sonic-my ISP would accept the small stipend from the gov’t. Not worth the cost of adjusting their billing….All this free lifeline stuff is not helping most of those of us who are eligible. And I don’t live in an isolated area with spotty service. I am 55 miles from San Francisco.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry to hear about your issues, Lynn. We recommend that you continue trying to sign up with other free government cell phone companies that do business in San Francisco. You can find them by clicking on the “States” link at the top of this page, then clicking on the “California” page. Good luck. It shouldn’t be so difficult.
Ron Hosted says
Rumor has it that the FCC’s proposed plan will eliminate the Free model completely and then cut off cell phone service so they can have broadband at a low price. How are they going to afford this? how are they going to stay in touch with dr. office, schools, govt. aganecies….by a website?
Free Government Cell Phones says
The FCC’s new plan does not eliminate free government cell phones. The FCC believes it can fund the expansion into broadband with the money they’ve saved by eliminating fraud, waste and abuse. Only time will tell if that is true.
Lonnie Newsome Clifton 111 says
Can I Get A Government Cell Phone That Runs Off A Verizon Tower?
Free Government Cell Phones says
The various free government cell phone companies all operate on one or more of the national cell phone networks (such as Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, etc.). Find a list of the providers in your state by clicking the “states” link at the top of this page, then clicking on your state. You can probably find out which companies operate on which networks by checking their websites or by calling their customer service departments. We’re confident that you’ll find at least one that operates on the Verizon network. Good luck.