Archives: Phones & Cell Phones

In a Memorandum Opinion and Order released by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on March 2, 2005 Verizon Communications was admonished for failing to publicize the availability of low income programs to the residents of 11 Native American tribes in its service area for almost 3 years.  The FCC did not issue a fine; however, Verizon has 60 days to submit plans for future promotion of the Lifeline and Link-Up programs. 

The Link-Up program is to help with the cost of setting up a new service. The Lifeline program provides discounts off monthly phone bills. The FCC’s fact sheet on low income programs describes the programs in more detail.

A greater discount is available when states set up their own universal service funds and match the federal discount.

To find out of you qualify go to the Universal Service Administration Company and click on your state.  Federal statistics show that lower income households are less likely to be connected to the phone network than higher income households; often eligible families don't know discounts are available or face barriers to enrollment, leaving the programs underutilized, according to the National Consumer Law Center.

Read more about other issues facing Native American communities.