Many people in a variety of social groups in our country are struggling with the idea of free phones provided by the FCC Lifeline program, and now they’re introducing low cost internet. After just recently recovering from the “Obama Phone” misconception, our country is astounded at the introduction of another ‘freebie’ type program providing low cost internet, called Connect America.
For those who are still in the dark on the free phone controversy, the Lifeline program provides free or extremely price reduced cell phones and cell phone service plans to eligible participants.
There was a rumor inspired by a Youtube video starring an ill-informed woman that she and others could receive a free cell phone and cell phone service plan from the Obama administration. The free phones provided by Lifeline were then depicted as a cheap campaign strategy initiated by the Obama administration to bring in more votes for the candidate at the time of the election. This is not true.
The Lifeline program has been around since the 1980s and was created under Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Then, Lifeline only provided landlines to low income, eligible Americans, who had no other source of telecommunication. During George Bush’s presidency, the Lifeline program expanded to include cell phones, as landlines were becoming obsolete in our prolifically technological society.
Requirements to receive service from the Lifeline program include, a total household income below 135% of the nation’s poverty line (or 150% depending on state), government assistance from another program like Medicaid or food stamps (applicable government programs vary by state) and verification documents proving these requirements, which also vary by state.
These free phones were available in our nation much before President Obama’s re-election campaign and were no way affiliated with his strategy to accrue more votes from the low income citizens of our country.
The FCC has ruminated the concept of adding internet to its Lifeline plan in the past, but now that the idea has come to fruition and Connect America is here, American’s paying for the program are nervous Connect America will have reminiscent issues of fraud as the Lifeline program had.
Lifeline only allows one landline OR one wireless line per household. Frustrated with this rule, people began creating fraudulent accounts to receive more than one phone, some even selling the phones to turn a profit all at the cost of the Lifeline program, and in turn, American citizens.
The Lifeline program is funded by the Universal Service Fund. The USF issues fees to telecom companies across the country, these fees are usually passed down to the telecom company’s customers and collected in a small additional fine. This fine is listed on the customer’s monthly phone bill as a Universal Service Charge.
The FCC did admit the Lifeline program had its flaws and took action to correct the thousands of duplicate accounts, fraudulent identities and oversights. In fact, this is how they plan on funding Connect America; with the money they saved from eliminating Lifeline’s bugs.
An FCC chairman, as reported by PRWeb.com, claims over the next couple of years, the adjustments made to the Lifeline program will save $2 billion, plenty to start a new program for struggling, low income people.
The new program, Connect America, was created to provide broadband, high-speed internet service to low income individuals who own a computer or other source capable of internet access.
The new program costs $10 per month now, but as reported by PRWeb.com, Mark Henry, editor of CheapInternet.com says because the program is so closely linked with the Lifeline free phone program, the internet service will most likely be no-cost as well, in the future.
Henry adds, “Broadband has gone from being a luxury to being a necessity,” “This program is exactly what low income Americans need to succeed.”
As explained above, Connect America will go along the same lines as its free government phone providing sister program, Lifeline. The requirements to gain access to the program will vary by state, but generally will include, as reported by PRWeb.com,
“…you must already participate in any one of a number of other government aid programs, such as the National School Lunch Program, food stamps (SNAP), public housing assistance, Medicaid, Section 8 housing, Supplemental Security Income, various Home Energy Assistance Programs, and other programs. You can also qualify if your household income is no more than 135% of federal poverty guidelines (and as much as 150% in some states).”
Henry states the Connect America program will surely bring in more than enough benefits to keep itself afloat for years to come. He states, as reported by PRWeb.com, “Cheap internet today. Free internet tomorrow,”
It seems the recession has taken more of a toll on average income Americans than previously expected. With new low income benefit programs popping up everyday and the expectation of fees, charges and fines to be payed over, frustration mounts in the middle class.