subject: Government Free Phone: Connectivity for all [print this page] Government Free Phone: Connectivity for all
Providing access and connection to all, government supported phones are topping the list of credibility and appreciation of commoners. With the association of some Telecom companies, government initiated Government Assisted Cellphone program a decade back. This program has nothing to do with the money of taxpayers; it is based on the grants and support of Federal organizations. The subsidized programs are conducted and managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The existing program was passed by Congress under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 with a vision to provide uninterrupted connectivity to low individual families help them to be in touch with life saving foundations as such emergency services or healthcare services or to schools and libraries.
There are two types of program run by government namely: Lifeline that helps you to save money on local telephone and Link up which enables you to save more than 50 percent of activation fees on a connection. The benefits and advantage of these programs depend on the place you live. You can avail discount of $13.50 per month or higher as well.
Link-up is another program on Government Free Phone services. You get a reduction of up to 50 percent and a $30 waived from the standard activation fees. You also get benefit of adding the remaining activation charge (after the discount) to add in on the bill or pay during the duration of a year's time without any interest levied on it.
These programs have their own terms and conditions. The program Link up doesn't cover any cost of device or cable. Only one connection per household can be provided as per the rule of government. One line and one number can be given at your current address and request of additional lines won't be entertained.
For both these program, sign up is easy and convenient. You need to be enrolled with one of the mentioned programs run by government to qualify for this. These programs are:
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
