TracFone Wireless Launches SafeLink Wireless to Aid 1.5 Million Low-Income Households in New York
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Participants Receive Over an Hour of Free Talk Time Monthly and Free Wireless
Cell Phone
NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
Today, TracFone Wireless, Inc., America`s leading prepaid cell phone provider
announced its launch of SafeLink Wireless in New York. SafeLink Wireless will
serve as the company`s distribution of Lifeline - a U.S. government supported
program for income eligible households that ensures telephone service is
available and affordable for eligible low-income households.
The SafeLink Wireless service will provide eligible low-income households a free
cell phone, mobile access to emergency services and free 68 minutes of air time,
monthly, for one year. The cell phone offers in-demand features: voicemail,
text, call waiting, international calling to over 60 destinations and caller ID.
"More than 1.5 million households in New York qualify for the Lifeline services
- offering these participants the opportunity to have the same access and
privileges many individuals take for granted when it comes to using cell
phones," said Jose Fuentes, Director of Government Relations for TracFone. "The
SafeLink Wireless service is truly unique because we are providing a service
that no other company has made available before - a free cell phone and free
monthly minutes to qualifying low income families," added Fuentes. SafeLink
Wireless offers low income families accessibility, freedom and the security in
knowing that should an emergency occur - wherever they are, they will stay safe
and stay connected."
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the Lifeline program in 1984
and worked to update the service after the crises of Hurricanes Katrina and Ike,
as well as the tragedy of September 11th. At the dawn of the 21st century,
modern universal telephone service is necessary not only to ensure that the U.S.
maintains a rapid, efficient, nationwide communications network, it is important
for the purpose of national defense and to promote safety of life and property.
By approving the SafeLink Wireless program, the FCC took action to enhance its
Lifeline program and keep the right to communicate in pace with technology.
The Funding of Lifeline
Lifeline is part of the Low Income Program of the Universal Service Fund (USF),
which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and
is designed to ensure that quality telecommunications services are available to
low-income customers at just, reasonable, and affordable rates. 1700 carriers
are eligible to provide the program but TracFone is the first pre-paid company
to have elevated the program to modern day communications.
The Lifeline program is not funded from federal taxpayer dollars, but rather
from contributions to the USF by telecommunications carriers collected in part
from the Universal Service Charge billed to cell phone users. Instead of a
discount on the user`s monthly bill, SafeLink applies the USF subsidy to free
wireless minutes. Although a common misconception, TracFone provides the free
wireless cell phone to the SafeLink program at the company`s expense, in order
to make the program viable and attractive.
SAFELINK WIRELESS SERVICE ELIGIBILITY OVERVIEW BY CITY
Top 10 New York state counties with the most eligible Lifeline participants:
CITY LOW-INCOME POPULATION
Kings 285,357
Bronx 186,871
New York 181,593
Queens 174,661
Suffolk 54,883
Nassau 48,286
Onondaga 48,251
Richmond 34,418
Oneida 27,076
Broome 26,015
Program Eligibility
Lifeline program eligibility in the state of New York consists of the
following:
* Family Assistance
* Safety Net Assistance
* Food Stamps
* Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
* Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
* Medicaid
* Veteran`s Disability Pension (non-service related disability)
* Veteran`s Surviving Spouse Pension (non-service related disability)
The SafeLink Wireless service will be provided to low-income families for up to
one year. Participants may renew service and will be required to re-submit
eligibility documentation upon their year completion. If the participant no
longer qualifies for this free service, they will be notified and will be able
to keep the cell phone to continue enjoying the benefits as a regular TracFone
customer. Unused minutes will never expire and will automatically rollover. When
recipients surpass their allocated 68 airtime minutes, they will be able to
purchase prepaid SafeLink Wireless airtime cards or TracFone airtime cards,
including double minute cards. Existing TracFone customers qualifying for the
SafeLink Wireless service may keep their current cell phone, and receive bonus
minutes (one-time bonus only) for choosing to keep their current cell phone.
To learn more about the SafeLink Wireless service, including eligibility
requirements, please call 1-800-977-3768, or visit www.safelinkwireless.com.
ABOUT TRACFONE WIRELESS, INC.
TracFone Wireless, Inc. is America`s number one prepaid wireless service in the
U.S. with more than 10 million cell phone subscribers. TracFone is a subsidiary
of América Móvil, S.A.B. de C.V. ("AMX") (BMV: AMX; NYSE: AMX; Nasdaq: AMOV;
LATIBEX: XAMXL), the leading provider of wireless services in Latin America with
more than 153 million cell phone subscribers. For more information, please
visit: www.tracfone.com.
for SafeLink Wireless
Cecilia Santana, 646-326-7956
cecilia@interlexusa.com
or
Rolando Rodriguez, 210-316-0744
rolando@interlexusa.com,
Copyright Business Wire 2009
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