As a strong believer of ensuring everyone has access to affordable internet access, Mobile Citizen is a big supporter of the Federal Lifeline program. This program, created during the Reagan administration to subsidize telephone connections for low-income individuals, was eventually expanded to reflect changes in technology. Today, the program provides a modest monthly subsidy of $9.25 to help these people afford phone and/or internet service.
Unfortunately, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans in 2018 to cut off over 70% of Lifeline, decrease service options across the country, place a budget cap on the program that could limit the number of individuals who take advantage of the program, and create a lifetime-benefits limit that would remove people from the program after an undetermined time period.
Luckily, a coalition of over 300 organizations that includes Mobile Citizen and many of its partners like Schools, Health & Libraries Coalition (SHLB) and National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) have united to oppose the FCC’s proposal.
This month, the coalition is participating in a month of action led by Voqal grantees Free Press and The Center for Media Justice that included a Twitterstorm on April 15, a digital briefing on April 16 and an advocacy day on April 18, that saw a delegation of Lifeline subscribers and direct service providers visit the FCC to advocate for the program.
Mobile Citizen is excited to be a member of this coalition and is dedicated to preserving Lifeline for low-income individuals who rely on this program for vital internet access.
Interested in getting involved in the fight to save Lifeline? Visit savelifeline.org to learn how!
You can also help raise the profile of this important issue on social media with the hashtag #SaveLifeline.