What Is a Prepaid Family Plan? A prepaid family plan is a type of wireless phone plan that allows families to share a pool of data, talk, and text across multiple lines on one account. With a prepaid family plan, the account owner pre-pays for service every month and can add multiple lines to the…
What is Lifeline? Lifeline is a federal program that provides a monthly discount on phone and internet service for qualifying low-income households. The program is run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and aims to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable communications services. According to the FCC, Lifeline provides up to a $9.25…
Understand Your Plan The first step in avoiding overages is to thoroughly understand your cell phone plan. Review how many minutes, texts, and how much data is included. For example, some plans include unlimited talk and text but have data caps. Know exactly what the overage charges will be if you exceed your allotted amounts…
Resolution T-17002 is an important regulatory order issued in 2006 by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The resolution establishes policies to enhance access to advanced telecommunications services for all Californians, with a focus on increasing broadband adoption in underserved communities across the state. What is Resolution T-17002? Resolution T-17002 is a regulatory order issued…
An Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) is a telecommunications carrier designated by state public utility commissions or the FCC to receive universal service support from the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) [1]. The purpose of the ETC designation is to promote universal service by ensuring that affordable, quality telecommunications services are available to all consumers in…
Free government phone programs, sometimes called Lifeline assistance, provide free or discounted wireless phone service and devices to qualifying low-income households. These programs help ensure that all Americans, including those in financial need, have access to essential telecommunication services for things like job searching, healthcare, education, and more. Free government smartphone programs are funded by…
The free government phone program, also known as the Lifeline Assistance program, aims to provide discounted or free cell phone services to qualifying low-income households in the United States. Established in 1985, the program is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is designed to ensure that all Americans, including those of limited means,…
Understand Your Data Allowance The first step to managing your data usage is to understand exactly how much data your lifeline plan includes each month. Lifeline plans typically include between 1-4 GB of data per month, but this can vary by carrier and plan [1]. Review your carrier plan details to find out your specific…
Lifeline is a government-subsidized program that provides discounted phone and internet service for qualifying low-income households. It is overseen by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The goal of Lifeline is to ensure that all Americans, including those with low incomes, have access to affordable, quality phone and internet…
The Connect America Fund (CAF) is a Universal Service Fund program established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide subsidies to telecommunications companies to build out broadband infrastructure in rural areas of the United States. The CAF was created in 2011 as part of a broader FCC reform of the Universal Service Fund and…