High-speed online connectivity is crucial, and governmental and private entities actively expand access.

Thanks to various initiatives, many individuals in the country now receive broadband online services at no charge through different assistance programs.

Online access varies significantly across regions, a challenge highlighted during the global health crisis.

What can individuals do if reliable connection speeds are unavailable in their area?

What if available providers are unaffordable? Or if no significant network operators offer coverage in their location?

While long-term solutions for network infrastructure remain complex, several methods exist for obtaining online connectivity, either for free or at a reduced cost.

These options prove vital not just in times of global crises but also during periods of financial strain. We will guide you through these possibilities.

Which providers offer free or affordable online access?

Many service providers offer support programs for households with low income.

These initiatives grew during the global health crisis, as numerous companies participated in a government-led effort to maintain services, eliminate charges, and provide free connectivity points. 

While the government initiative has concluded, several companies offer budget-friendly or no-cost online options.

Some providers adjusted their low-cost plans to fit with a national assistance program, which, combined with other support, allowed participants to pay no monthly fees.

Although the national program has ended, most individuals who previously benefited can still find help through an ongoing program, which may reduce or cover their service costs.

How to Get Affordable Optimum Internet

Optimum users can enroll in the Optimum Advantage plan, which provides speeds up to 50Mbps and free equipment.

In 2022, Altice USA introduced Optimum Advantage+, offering double the download speed for $25 per month.

How to Access Free or Affordable Home Internet

A particular provider offers an essential internet program for $14.95 monthly for eligible users, providing excellent value.

In response to the global health situation, the provider has permanently increased the speed available in this program.

The standard plan costs $14.95 monthly, offering speeds up to 75Mbps. A new advanced plan is also available for $29.95 monthly, providing speeds up to 100Mbps.

While a previous program covered the cost of either plan, a support initiative now fully covers the cost of the basic plan.

How to Get Affordable AT&T Internet

The AT&T Access program provides low-cost internet to qualifying low-income families in California who participate in SNAP or receive SSI benefits.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AT&T expanded the program’s eligibility criteria to include households earning up to 135% of the federal poverty level.

This expansion also covers families involved in programs like:

• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

• Head Start

Eligible households can receive free internet service via AT&T Access through the ACP program credit.

The service offers fiber speeds up to 100Mbps, free equipment and installation.

How to Access Affordable Cox Internet

Cox offers an affordable internet plan, the ConnectAssist plan, designed for individuals receiving government assistance.

Households participating in income-based programs like SNAP, TANF, WIC, and Medicaid qualify for the offer.

The ConnectAssist plan costs $30 per month and delivers up to 100Mbps, four times faster than the basic plan.

It also grants access to Wi-Fi hotspots and educational tools through Cox Digital Academy.

With several qualifying programs, ConnectAssist is one of the most accessible discounted internet options.

Eligible customers can receive free internet under the ACP program, which covers the full monthly charge for Cox ConnectAssist.

Cox also participates in the Connect2Compete initiative, offering internet speeds up to 100Mbps for just $9.95 monthly.

How to Access Affordable Mediacom Internet

Mediacom offers budget-friendly internet plans through its Xtream Connect program.

To verify your eligibility, Mediacom uses the SheerID online tool. You can qualify if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), Title 1/LAP

• Participation in other government assistance programs

• SNAP benefits eligibility

How to Access Free Synergy Internet

Through charitable initiatives, Synergy Internet offers free or low-cost Internet to households meeting specific eligibility criteria.

You may qualify if you participate in federal assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), housing aid, Medicaid, SNAP, or SSI. 

Additionally, you must live in an area serviced by Synergy Internet, Spectrum, or Verizon and have not used these services in the past 90 days.

How to Access Free Verizon Internet

Verizon’s Forward Program offers discounted internet access to those in the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Although the ACP is no longer available, the Verizon Forward Program continues to assist through the Lifeline program. 

This offer applies to Verizon Fios, which began collaborating with ACP in May 2022, and Verizon 5G Home and LTE Home Internet, which were included in the program a few months later.

Public Wi-Fi Hotspots for Low-Income Families

Many internet service providers (ISPs) have expanded their offerings for low-income families and now provide Wi-Fi hotspots in public spaces.

This expansion does not impact personal home Wi-Fi setups. Still, it increases access to public hotspots, such as those in shopping malls, parks, and train stations, which were previously limited to paying customers.

Government Internet Assistance Programs

Alongside offers from internet service providers, various government initiatives help low-income families afford internet access.

Apply for free or discounted internet services through these government-backed programs.

Lifeline Program

The Lifeline program has supported low-income households for years by offering phone and internet service discounts.

Eligible families save at least $9.25 monthly on landline, wireless, broadband, or bundled services.

Households on Tribal lands receive an additional $25 discount, bringing the total to $34.95 monthly.

Households qualifying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) typically qualify for Lifeline.

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

The ACP currently awaits new funding from Congress, making it unavailable for now.

While active, the ACP provided $30 monthly to help households pay for internet service. Families in high-cost areas or Tribal lands could receive up to $75 monthly.

Qualifying households included those participating in programs like Lifeline, National School Lunch, Pell Grants, and other low-income support programs such as SNAP and WIC.

Congress introduced the ACP to replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), which offered similar assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ACP raised the income cap and excluded those with significant income loss in 2020.

Spreading Awareness

One major challenge of the ACP involved informing people without internet access about the program.

The FCC has launched an outreach effort to increase awareness. If you know anyone who could benefit, encourage them to apply!

Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB)

In 2021, the FCC introduced the Emergency Broadband Benefit to assist low-income households impacted by the pandemic. Eligible families received up to $75 off monthly internet bills and up to $100 for laptops and tablets. The EBB ended on December 31, 2021, and the ACP replaced it.

Free Internet for NYC Residents

Qualifying residents in New York City can access free internet through Big Apple Connect via Optimum or Spectrum.

New customers at participating NYCHA properties receive a free cable plan with speeds up to 300 Mbps while existing customers can reduce their internet bills to $0.

Commitments to Offering Free Internet

As of May 31, 2024, officials ended the assistance program due to insufficient financial resources.

Despite various proposals to extend funding, none received a vote before the program closed. The possibility of future funding reviving the program remains uncertain.

On May 9, 2022, the President announced that several service providers committed to delivering fast network access to eligible households for a fee of $30 or less.

The assistance program helps qualifying low-income households by covering the full cost and offering free access to high-speed connectivity.

While the companies committed to offering compatible plans serve a significant portion of the population, their availability differs depending on location. 

Providers Participating in ACP Commitments

• Allo Communications

• AltaFiber

• Hawaiian Telecom

• Optimum

• Astound Broadband

• AT&T

• Breezeline

• Xfinity

• Comporium

• Frontier

• IdeaTek

• Cox Communications

• Jackson Energy Authority

• Mediacom

• MLGC

• Spectrum

• Starry

• Verizon

• Vermont Telephone Company

• Vexus Fiber

• WOW!

Non-governmental Programs Assisting with Internet Access

Low-income individuals can find help beyond government programs through various non-profit and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) offering assistance with free or discounted internet services.

EveryoneOn

EveryoneOn works to bring internet access and technology to families in low-income and underserved communities.

By helping people access affordable internet services, computers, and digital skills training, the organization creates opportunities for social and economic advancement.

EveryoneOn provides tools to help individuals locate affordable internet, computers, and digital literacy training programs.

PCs for People

PCs for People primarily provide refurbished computers to low-income individuals and non-profit organizations while focusing on internet connectivity.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization now accepts Pell Grant documentation from affected college students to help them secure low-cost computers and internet access for virtual learning.

Human-I-T

Human-I-T aims to reduce e-waste by repairing reusable technology and providing these repurposed devices to needy individuals.

Along with offering affordable electronic devices, Human-I-T also helps people find low-cost internet options, especially for those who lack access or are paying high prices for service.

Devices for Students

Devices for Students emerged to address public school disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It supplies students with dependable, long-term access to computers and the internet, equipping them with essential tools for remote learning, graduation, and college preparation.

Synergy Charity Services

Synergy Charity Services, a non-profit organization, provides grants to low-income families to assist with internet costs.

It uses donations to fund these grants, distributing them on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out.

Synergy Charity Services collaborates with various internet providers in the states it serves, making it valuable for potential applicants to seek further details if they believe they qualify.

Other Methods to Access Free Internet

If the available programs don’t meet your needs, other options exist for securing free internet access.

NetZero

During my high school years, NetZero was a vital service for accessing the internet.

At the time, my family had no interest in going online, and I couldn’t get a credit card, which most ISPs required. Thankfully, NetZero provided an alternative during the early internet boom.

While NetZero has transitioned chiefly to a standard internet service provider, it still offers free dial-up access for those determined to avoid paying.

However, dial-up speeds are too slow for activities like streaming, gaming, or voice calls.

With speeds ranging from 28.8Kbps to 56Kbps, the free service is far slower than even the most basic broadband.

NetZero limits free access to 10 hours per month, making it a viable option for those who only need the internet for basic tasks.

FreedomPop

FreedomPop offers free internet through its mobile and broadband plans. This service includes both free wireless and home broadband options.

Free internet plans offer speeds of up to 1Mbps and have low data caps, making them unsuitable for heavy internet users.

However, upgrading to paid plans increases data allowances and speeds, reaching up to 25Mbps.

Mesh Networks

For those with technical expertise, building a mesh network provides a more long-term and community-driven approach to accessing free internet.

Mesh networks are a potential future solution for widespread free internet access.

Building a mesh network requires more effort and technical skill than subscribing to an ISP. However, many resources are available for those willing to invest the time. 

These networks connect several routers in a specific area, allowing them to share internet access without relying on a centralized connection.

Each router, or “node,” connects with others within range.

Despite their promise, mesh networks face certain drawbacks. As data travels through multiple routers, speeds can decrease, especially for devices far from the base router.

Additionally, this decentralized system introduces potential security concerns.

The Cost of the Internet and the Digital Divide

Many individuals seek opportunities to cut their monthly expenses, but fair and reasonable pricing is particularly crucial regarding internet access.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many essential activities have moved online, making internet access convenient and necessary, especially for those whose work depends on it.

This growing reliance on the Internet has led to a lack of competition among broadband providers, allowing some companies to engage in practices that limit fair competition. 

Even though the Internet was developed in the U.S. using public funds, Americans often pay higher prices for slower speeds than many other countries.

In July 2021, President Biden signed an executive order directing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to address these concerns. 

The order calls for measures to prevent internet service providers from engaging in unfair practices, increase pricing transparency, limit excessive early termination fees, and reinstate net neutrality.

If the FCC implements these changes, they could lower the cost of internet access for many Americans.