Cell Phone provider.......

[danemodsandy]

Travis:

I would be the very first to agree that an "entitlement circus" has sprung up around SafeLink, and that it is an abomination that should be stopped.

My objection is to politicians using SafeLink to bash the current Administration. President Obama had precious little to do with it in the first place, and the party doing the bashing actually originated the program in the second place.

This great nation is able to help those in actual need without fostering dependency on unneeded assistance.

 

[yogitunes]

who said there wouldn't be minutes or subscription available...common sense tells me for this phone/option to work, you would need some sort of service....

but yet not true for my area with items like OnStar....granted I have that in the Jeep, but even if it wasn't turned on, you could still access 911 or Emergency/Police/Fire with it!....they wont turn away a call for HELP!...who knows, many cell phones may not either...may just depend on areas....

rent-a-date sites?.....only you would know!

 

[abcomatic]

I use Verizon for my cell phone. I have a regular land line too. Gary

 

[whirlcool]

I don't consider cell phones or even air conditioning a basic necessity

Neither does the state of Texas. Even with our oppressive summertime heat, none of the Texas prisons have air conditioning. Those guys must really bake in the summer.

Someone will soon make the case that internet and satellite tv will be basic necessities.

That's why our public libraries have a ton of Internet PC's. To provide the poor with means to access the Internet. There was some talk in city government awhile back that those that don't have internet access are somehow behind those that do.
So you have your "data have's" and your "data havenot's".

On your cell phone bill see if there is a charge for "Univeral Service Fee". That's the charge for the SAFELINK phones.

I can see people who need them having them, but there are always those who try to beat or "use" the system even though they fall outside of the guidelines for the program. I know of one person that works full time and uses her sister's welfare information to obtain her phone. It covers 200 minutes for $9.95, but she pays $11.95 more and gets unlimited time.

And then thee are those who are on welfare that just MUST have a Android, Blackberry or Iphone. A SAFELINK phone is just not good enough for them. And we are paying for those indirectly. They use their SSI or disability pay to buy them.

Actually the history of the "Obama phone" goes back to 1984 when the government decided that some people couldn't afford a basic home phone. So the program started with just reduced cost home phones and later (late 80's) was expanded to include cell phones. I think the reason people call it an Obama phone is because the program wasn't that well known until Obama got into office. [this post was last edited: 10/26/2013-21:55]

 

[supersuds]

Comment about Tracfone

I've used it for years and endorse it. The coverage was spotty 10 years ago but has been excellent now wherever I've been (including, recently, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands).

Not sure what sandy is referring to with a $9.95/ month "plan." Maybe it is just me not understanding terminology, but I think I can beat it. I always buy Tracfone cards at Target for $19.95. They extend service for 3 months and add 120 minutes. I'm a light cell phone user, so that is plenty (unused minutes accumulate) and it only costs $80 a year!

I'd love an iPhone, but can't see spending roughly $1000 a year for service.

 

[jamiel]

Yogi, you're being general here (and I am being pedantic) but you can only reach 911 with an unsubscribed/expired cell phone (also with an OnStar unit which is unsubscribed/expired). The 911 operator would need to place you in contact with police/fire/ambulance. You may not call directly to police/fire/ambulance with an unsubscribed/expired cell phone. Prepaid service expires...my only point, and after that expiration the phone can dial 911 period.

 

[NYCWriter]

People need to calm down ...

... about things they do not really know about.

I've covered this story to death, and I have people in my own family who use these so-called "free" phones. Believe me, it's no picnic.

For one thing, you're using old reconditioned cell phones. Ever wonder what happens to your old cell phone when you voluntarily give it back for an upgrade? That's right -- it goes back into service for these folks. And they're old and buggy and constantly break down. Think you've got poor customer service with AT&T or Verizon? Try calling Safelink and see what kind of "service" they provide. It's the digital version of the welfare office.

Like trying to qualify for welfare or food stamps, you have to pretty much be DIRT POOR to qualify, and it's extremely difficult, if not impossible, to game the system. And why anyone would even want to is beyond me.

And no, you cannot transfer your Safelink service to a smartphone, despite the urban legends flying around out there (and right here, apparently).

It's particularly frustrating to hear people complain (bitterly!) about how poor people are being "given" things that they themselves think are luxuries, like cell phones and access to the Internet.

I've got news for you: the Internet is how we now live. It's not a high-tech luxury. It's now the ONLY way to apply for jobs at most places anymore. It's the only way to even read the job LISTINGS. In many states, it's the only way to access benefits. In many places it's now the only way to access IRS forms. The Internet-connected computer in 2013 is the telephone in 1970; you simply cannot participate as a functional member of society without one.

Just like people were crying back in the '70s about "giving" welfare recipients the "luxury" of a telephone, I'm sure folks back in the '40s were crying about giving them the luxury of indoor plumbing.

 

[whirlcool]

We have our expired cell phones charged up and kept in our storm "safe room" in the house just in case we need to call 911 and forgot/couldn't bring our current cell phones with us. Sometimes there is just no time left before you have to take shelter.

 

[yogitunes]

Thats exactly my point....911 can be used from any phone in an emergency.....thats how 911 works from any phone....you make a call, and they connect you with the service that is needed....ie, Police, Fire, EMT's!...

about things they know nothing about?.....insults to members is not putting anyone on top of the list of likeable persons!....

try helping to educate, not demean someone......you can catch more bees with honey!

 

[whirlcool]

Or as my Momma used to say "If you want honey from those bees, don't go around slappin' that hive."

 

[NYCWriter]

"Any" phone ...

"Thats exactly my point....911 can be used from any phone in an emergency.....thats how 911 works from any phone....you make a call, and they connect you with the service that is needed....ie, Police, Fire, EMT's!..."

And were does one find "any" phone these days?

Just try to find a payphone anymore ...

 

[yogitunes]

"Any" phone?......

my point exactly....as everyone else has described

If I have to explain that one, you don't know what your talking about!

"Which way did he go George, which way did he GO?"

 

[spookiness]

I had a Tracfone for about 16 months and experience was very positive. Depending where you live, it may be tied to one of the major networks. There are ways to "cheat" the system. Howardforums.com is a good resource. Mine was on ATT network. I converted my mom to one. It is on the Verizon network, and I did what needs to be done to get a phone that would otherwise not default to ATT in her area.

After my Tracfone experience, I bought an unlocked LG Google Nexus 4, and ordered a SIM from StraightTalk, related to Tracfone (parent company is the same). For me ATT works everywhere I need it to. I tried T-Mobile for a month (the beauty of non-contract is you can do that, just for a month...) and the data speeds were better, but signal coverage was not available everywhere where I needed it. Data speed is really irrelevant to me since I do not watch movies or do any data intensive stuff.

My monthly prepaid expense is $43.22 for unlimited talk, text, and "unlimited" internet, which is believed to have a cap of 2GB per month (again, refer to Howardforums.com for discussion). I am almost always in range of a wi-fi, and my monthly data usage rarely exceeds about 600MB.

Don't want to dwell on the Safelink program, but subsidized landline services were long available to the poor and elderly, funded through the USF and other fees, which are more propertly user fees not taxes. Landlines are just too much of a pain, and many poor people move around a lot so they're impractical. Its really impossible to function in society without a phone, so the program effectively just shifted from yesterday's to today's technology.

 

[geoff]

Post # 711541

I have MS and in the summertime, A/C is a REQUIREMENT for me. If my core temperature goes up, my MS causes a relapse. So in essence if I DON'T have A/C in the summertime, I lose my ability to walk. This has happened to me before. My air conditioning according to the State of Connecticut is a requirement. I receive every year, at tax time, a tax break for the cost of my air conditioning. Call it what you want. I call it a small price to pay for the ability to walk!!!!!!!

Geoff

 

[whirlcool]

My most recent bill for my T-Mobile Walmart phone was $21.60 including sales taxes. That's for unlimited talk and messaging. That's $71.40 savings over what I was paying Verizon. Can't beat that one.