Leading industry analyst calls for universal broadband and free government cell phones for everyone who needs them
Mark Lowenstein is a leading industry analyst, consultant, and commentator. In his spare time, he’s managing director of Mobile Ecosystem. And he has some very strong thoughts about what the issues facing the Federal Communications Commission. Some of those thoughts directly impact the direction of the Lifeline free government cell phone program.
Here’s how FierceWireless.com explains it all:
When the Biden administration takes over in January 2021, the FCC will sport a new chairman and a 3-2 Democratic majority. In this column, I’d like to offer my views on what I think the FCC’s top priorities should be and what might be some strategies for fulfilling some of these objectives.
… I think the new FCC should, and will, prioritize on universal broadband. The urgency of this issue has been made abundantly clear by the Covid pandemic. It’s also the closest we might get to an objective that could actually have a healthy level of bipartisan support. So, it could be a good ‘early win’ for a new Biden administration. Tens of billions have been spent on this cause since the now 10-year-old Obama-era National Broadband Plan was released. Success has been middling – a combination of erroneous data, poor oversight/execution, and technology that was not quite there yet. But there are many more tools in the toolbox now, including mobile/FWA legitimately in the conversation for some locations and use cases. And the dollars should be there. To start, Biden’s FCC will inherit a $10 billion allocation from the increasingly likely new Stimulus plan. Some proceeds from the gazillions that are going to be raised in the C-band auction could also go a long way toward helping fund some of these initiatives.
… Another issue I’d like the FCC to tackle is affordability. Let’s agree that every individual should have a phone (most likely a cell phone), and every household a broadband connection. This combination is still a tough nugget for anyone with an income below the middle class to afford, and Covid is likely to put many millions more into this unfortunate category in the coming months. Chairman Pai was directionally correct in calling out historic programs such Lifeline for fraud and waste. But he went too far in nearly gutting some of these programs. The FCC needs to come up with a modernized approach to this, with more effective oversight. Broadband availability, universal service, and affordability are all part of the same package of needs. One way to “sell” this effectively is to categorize universal, affordable broadband as a key piece of a national infrastructure plan, which could be among the lowest pieces of potential bipartisan fruit in a still-divided Congress.
Where have you been all our lives, Mr. Lowenstein? Your thoughts excite us. Your commentary makes us all gooey. Your words make us tremble.
Perhaps a cold shower is in order.
Tavayalah LawMaster Brenari says
For years i have been turned down in getting a free cell phone because i have a land-line (no long-distance) in which there is a State Telephone Assistance Plan of $12.00 a month (at the time $10.00) and because of this i was told i did not qualify in which i said to take that amount off my phone($10.00) and apply it to the cell phone and i was then told that because i have this Assistance that i am not eligible for a cell phone. This is insane as i have no phone when i have to go to Dr.s or any where in between and with my health,should i have an emergency i would be in a pickle for sure so for years now,only when i have to go to doctor’s appointments do i get out and i send someone to do shopping. As poor as i am (below poverty level) i have been forced to make do with what i have.I have a living relative outside of state with who i would like to speak to now and then but all of this has made it impossible and i am not a big phone person at all thus having no long distance. I am seventy years old and was,from the beginning,given no option on having my land line or cell phone. Now,i will keep my land line,but still cannot see why i am not allowed a cell phone for at least safety reasons such as going to appointments and,once again,the store. Besides this,more has developed and i haven’t a clue as when but i just now noticed on my phone bill,besides the original State Telephone Assistance plan there is now two lines in which a Lifeline Assistance Plan has also been added without my knowledge or asking for this? After years ago,declining me service for a cell phone now a (free-phone) company adds this? What a world we now live in that i expected to check my every bill to make sure no one is adding things or cheating in some way. I am tired and hope someone responds to my comment from your end of things. I would truly like to know where i stand in regard to this matter. Sincerely Lynn LawMaster.
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s true that you can only have one government-assisted phone line — either a discounted landline or a free cell phone. The situation you describe is unique — no reader has ever reported a similar situation.
Diana Dorris says
Do you have any idea if Montana will ever come out of the dark ages and do this? I know we are the only state who doesn’t do it – even Puerto Rica does it. There are a lot of us who don’t have access to the really cheap plans and a lot of what we have available is such lousy service we only get connection ability once in a while
Free Government Cell Phones says
We have no idea why Montana doesn’t fully participate in the program. We always ask the question during our conversations with representatives of other Lifeline service providers, but no one has a good answer. Some people attempt to say it’s because the state is so rural, but that makes no sense because other similar states offer the service. It’s a mystery.
This is particularly annoying to us because both sides of this comment moderator’s family come from Kalispell.
RONNIE PEPPER says
I am curious of the fastness of the phone you talk about, referring to most free phones out there most are very slow no room to store anything cant block robotic calls and with 5g coming I wonder how your free phone operates, is it a smartphone compatible with 5g and a good internet connection ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
“We” don’t offer free government cell phones, Ronnie. This is an independent informational service provider. Here’s where you can find all the plans available in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
kelly walker says
Broadband is way over price, I know I could use some help with my $65 a month plan which is the lowest cost I can find
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can find all the low-income plans in your state here:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/states
Georgene Elley says
need better phones