TracFone Wireless Launches SafeLink Wireless(R) to Aid 378,609 Low-Income Households in Maryland
November 04 2009 - 11:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Participants Receive Over an Hour of Free Talk Time Monthly and
Free Wireless Cell Phone ANNAPOLIS, Md., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ --
Today, TracFone Wireless, Inc., America's leading prepaid cell
phone provider announced its launch of SafeLink Wireless® in
Maryland. SafeLink Wireless is the first and only completely free
offering of Lifeline - a U.S. government supported program 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 64 minutes of airtime, monthly, for one
year. The cell phone offers in-demand features: voicemail, text,
call waiting, international calling to over 60 destinations and
caller ID. "As a part of everyday life, many of us take cell phones
for granted but they are a vital method of communicating with the
world around us," said Jose Fuentes, Director of Government
Relations for TracFone. "For the over 378,000 households that
qualify for Lifeline services in Maryland, SafeLink provides a
modern necessity that could help them secure employment,
communicate with their child-care provider, reach hospitals, fire
departments, or police in the event of an emergency and they would
receive that help at absolutely no cost. No other company is doing
that," 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 Rita, 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. As
technology continues to evolve, the digital divide remains a
serious concern that may leave few options for those who lack the
financial means to afford any sort of telephone service. The
SafeLink program works to fulfill Lifeline's original goal to
bridge this gap and to disprove the notion that access to wireless
communications is a privilege or luxury. The Funding and Delivery
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.
Over 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. By FCC design, telephone
carriers deliver Lifeline assistance to low-income communities and
traditionally, Lifeline customers receive a simple discount on
their monthly landline telephone bill. The SafeLink program
reshapes the Lifeline model by applying the USF subsidy towards a
wireless minute allocation that becomes free monthly airtime for
the customer. As TracFone provides the mobile handset at its own
expense and does not require contracts or monthly bills, SafeLink
customers now have access to a completely free offering of the
Lifeline program. If a customer wishes to use additional minutes
beyond their monthly allotment, minutes can be added through
prepaid TracFone airtime cards that can be purchased at local
retailers. The prepaid feature gives customers the freedom to
control the cost of their monthly telephone expense. Unused minutes
do not expire and automatically rollover. SAFELINK WIRELESS®
SERVICE ELIGIBILITY OVERVIEW BY CITY Top 10 Maryland state counties
with the most eligible Lifeline participants: Counties LOW-INCOME
POPULATION -------- --------------------- Baltimore City 90,053
Baltimore 59,356 Prince Georges 41,508 Montgomery 36,873 Anne
Arundel 21,761 Washington 13,588 Harford 13,535 Allegany 11,779
Frederick 11,407 Wicomico 9,707 Program Eligibility To qualify for
Lifeline in the state of Maryland, a household must participate in
one of the following: -- Electric Universal Service Program -- Food
Stamps -- Maryland Energy Assistance Program -- Medical Assistance
-- Public Assistance to Adults -- Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) -- Temporary Cash Assistance -- Temporary Disability
Assistance Program The SafeLink Wireless service will be provided
to low-income families for up to one year, with one person per
household receiving the free cell phone and benefits. 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. 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-SAFELINK (1-800-723-3546), or visit
http://www.safelink.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 America Movil, 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:
http://www.tracfone.com/. DATASOURCE: TracFone Wireless, Inc.
CONTACT: Marcos Cortez, +1-210-930-3339, ext.224, , Callisto
Griffith, +1-210-930-3339, ext.229, Web Site:
http://www.tracfone.com/
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