everything you need to know about lifeline supported cell

Everything You Need to Everything You Need to

Know about Lifeline Know about Lifeline

Supported Cell Phones.Supported Cell Phones.

Presented By:Presented By:

Mark Mark ErpeldingErpelding of Open Access Connectionsof Open Access Connections

Jon Brown of Minnesota Public Utilities Jon Brown of Minnesota Public Utilities CommissionCommission

What do we currently know about What do we currently know about

Lifeline Supported Cell phones?Lifeline Supported Cell phones?

►►What have you heard clients say about What have you heard clients say about

Lifeline Cell Phones?Lifeline Cell Phones?

►►What are your personal experiences with What are your personal experiences with

Lifeline supported Cell Phones?Lifeline supported Cell Phones?

Benefits to a Lifeline Cell Phone:Benefits to a Lifeline Cell Phone:

Why Should We Care?Why Should We Care?

►► Clients are better able to achieve goals (housing, Clients are better able to achieve goals (housing, employment, employment, ectect.).)

►► Clients are better able to communicate with case Clients are better able to communicate with case managers.managers.

►► Clients Better able to communicate with friends, Clients Better able to communicate with friends, family, other sources of support.family, other sources of support.

►► Clients have ability to call 911 (even when out of Clients have ability to call 911 (even when out of minutes).minutes).

►► Clients are able to enter the communication Clients are able to enter the communication mainstream.mainstream.

►► A free resource for our clients!A free resource for our clients!

What You Will Learn from TodayWhat You Will Learn from Today’’s s

PresentationPresentation

►►A Basic Overview of the Lifeline ProgramA Basic Overview of the Lifeline Program

►►Basic Eligibility RequirementsBasic Eligibility Requirements

►►Overview of Existing Lifeline providers in Overview of Existing Lifeline providers in

MinnesotaMinnesota

►►You will be able to help your clients in You will be able to help your clients in

becoming informed consumersbecoming informed consumers

►►Additional CommunicationAdditional Communication

►►Free Voice Mail ServicesFree Voice Mail Services

�� Served 62,000 people since 1994Served 62,000 people since 1994

�� 2,800 people all across the state of Minnesota2,800 people all across the state of Minnesota

�� 300 partner agencies300 partner agencies

�� Consumer advocate on Lifeline and other Consumer advocate on Lifeline and other

technology access issues.technology access issues.

What is the Minnesota What is the Minnesota

Public Utilities Commission?Public Utilities Commission?

►►Government Agency for utility regulationGovernment Agency for utility regulation

►►What does the PUC regulate?What does the PUC regulate?�� Local and inLocal and in--state long distance telephone companies state long distance telephone companies

�� InvestorInvestor--owned electric and natural gas utilitiesowned electric and natural gas utilities

�� Permitting for transmission lines, power plants, and pipelinesPermitting for transmission lines, power plants, and pipelines

�� Approve Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETC) Approve Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETC) ––Lifeline Lifeline

►►50 Total Staff50 Total Staff

�� 5 Commissioners appointed by Governor5 Commissioners appointed by Governor

�� Consumer Affairs Consumer Affairs –– 3 Mediators and a Manager3 Mediators and a Manager

Consumer Affairs OfficeConsumer Affairs Office

►►What does our office do? What does our office do?

�� Mediation between utility companies and their customersMediation between utility companies and their customers

�� Consumer EducationConsumer Education

�� Telephone Discount ProgramsTelephone Discount Programs

�� Cold Weather RuleCold Weather Rule

�� Utility ResourceUtility Resource

�� Public CommentsPublic Comments

�� Administrative support for agency staff and CommissionersAdministrative support for agency staff and Commissioners

Telephone Assistance Plan Telephone Assistance Plan -- TAPTAP

►►State counterpart to the Federal Lifeline State counterpart to the Federal Lifeline

ProgramProgram

►►Programs mirror each other in eligibility. Programs mirror each other in eligibility.

�� If you are eligible for TAP would receive Lifeline If you are eligible for TAP would receive Lifeline

if it is availableif it is available

►►All traditional landline providers offer TAPAll traditional landline providers offer TAP

►►Credit is now $3.50 as of October 2013Credit is now $3.50 as of October 2013

Growth of Lifeline ProgramGrowth of Lifeline Program

�� Lifeline has experienced strong growth in Lifeline has experienced strong growth in

the last 5 yearsthe last 5 years

�� The addition of cell phones to the program The addition of cell phones to the program

has been a key reason for the increase in has been a key reason for the increase in

subscriberssubscribers

�� Cell providers now make up many states Cell providers now make up many states

largest supplier of Lifeline discountslargest supplier of Lifeline discounts

FCC Overhauls Lifeline ProgramFCC Overhauls Lifeline Program

►►2012 2012 –– After many years FCC implements After many years FCC implements

host of changes to Lifeline Programhost of changes to Lifeline Program

�� Annual recertification of all lifeline subscribersAnnual recertification of all lifeline subscribers

►►Large number of customers removedLarge number of customers removed

�� Discontinued LinkDiscontinued Link--Up assistance Up assistance -- except on except on

tribal landstribal lands

�� Change from tiered discount levels to a flat rate Change from tiered discount levels to a flat rate

of $9.25of $9.25

�� Implementation of duplicates databaseImplementation of duplicates database

FCC Overhauls Lifeline Program (cont.)FCC Overhauls Lifeline Program (cont.)

►►Major changes to application Major changes to application

�� No more selfNo more self--certifying certifying –– must provide proof of must provide proof of

eligibilityeligibility

�� Additional guidelines for temporary housing Additional guidelines for temporary housing

�� Expanded/clarified definitions allowing for more Expanded/clarified definitions allowing for more

than one discount per addressthan one discount per address

►►Must be separate economic unitsMust be separate economic units

►►Additional Lifeline Household Worksheet requiredAdditional Lifeline Household Worksheet required

Common Questions/IssuesCommon Questions/Issues

►►Loss of discountLoss of discount

�� Failed recertification or more than one discountFailed recertification or more than one discount

►►How to get a replacement handsetHow to get a replacement handset

�� Lost or stolenLost or stolen

►►Confirmation of legitimacyConfirmation of legitimacy

►►General questions about LifelineGeneral questions about Lifeline

►►No response from company after applyingNo response from company after applying

Quick Lifeline Program OverviewQuick Lifeline Program Overview

►►Part of the Universal Service FundPart of the Universal Service Fund

►►Lifeline began in 1984 under Ronald Reagan Lifeline began in 1984 under Ronald Reagan

During Telecommunication DeregulationDuring Telecommunication Deregulation

►►Expanded in 2005 during Hurricane KatrinaExpanded in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina

►►Lifeline is a biLifeline is a bi--partisan program!partisan program!

Quick Lifeline Program OverviewQuick Lifeline Program Overview

►►Lifeline is part of the Universal Service Fund Lifeline is part of the Universal Service Fund Universal Service Fund ($8.71 billion Universal Service Fund ($8.71 billion program)program)

►►Universal Service Fund is composed of:Universal Service Fund is composed of:�� Lifeline ($2.19 billion)Lifeline ($2.19 billion)

�� High Cost Program (Supporting Rural Areas) High Cost Program (Supporting Rural Areas) ($4.15 billion)($4.15 billion)

�� Rural Health Care Program: ($155 million)Rural Health Care Program: ($155 million)

�� Schools and Libraries Program ($2.22 billion)Schools and Libraries Program ($2.22 billion)

Overview of The Lifeline ProcessOverview of The Lifeline Process

FCC: Oversees Lifeline Program

USAC: Contracted toAdminister Lifeline Program

State Public Utilities Commission: Oversees Lifeline program Locally

Companies Apply to Become a State Lifeline Provider: Known

as “Eligible Telecommunication Carrier”

Some Lifeline Companies Subcontract with other Companies to

Distribute Services

Lifeline In MinnesotaLifeline In Minnesota

►► $9.64 million annually (Approximately 86,800 $9.64 million annually (Approximately 86,800 people)people)

►► $4.45 million providing landline subsidies (40,100 $4.45 million providing landline subsidies (40,100 People)People)�� CenturyLinkCenturyLink is Largest landline Lifeline provideris Largest landline Lifeline provider

►►$1.82 million (Approximately 16,420 people) $1.82 million (Approximately 16,420 people)

►► $5.19 million providing prepaid cell phone $5.19 million providing prepaid cell phone subsidies annually (Approximately 46,700 people)subsidies annually (Approximately 46,700 people)�� Life Wireless (Parent Company Life Wireless (Parent Company TelriteTelrite) is largest prepaid ) is largest prepaid cell phone Lifeline providercell phone Lifeline provider►►$3.63 million (Approximately 32,700 people)$3.63 million (Approximately 32,700 people)

Rise in Lifeline Cell PhonesRise in Lifeline Cell Phones

►►First Lifeline Cell phone provider Began First Lifeline Cell phone provider Began

operating in Minnesota February 2012operating in Minnesota February 2012

�� There are currently 8 active Lifeline cell phone There are currently 8 active Lifeline cell phone

providers.providers.

�� Program has grown $5.19 million annually Program has grown $5.19 million annually

(Approximately 46,700 people)(Approximately 46,700 people)

►►Rise in Lifeline cell phones have come in a Rise in Lifeline cell phones have come in a

time of scarcity of resourcestime of scarcity of resources

In comparisonIn comparison

►► During the 2013 Legislative CampaignDuring the 2013 Legislative Campaign�� $4 million increase in the Homeless Youth Act$4 million increase in the Homeless Youth Act

�� $2 million increase in the Long Term Homeless $2 million increase in the Long Term Homeless Supportive Services Fund. Supportive Services Fund.

These increases are through the MinnesotaThese increases are through the Minnesota

budget biennium. budget biennium.

Compare this to the $5.19 million provided in free cell Compare this to the $5.19 million provided in free cell phone services annually. This figure will likely rise, and phone services annually. This figure will likely rise, and there is no limit to how much could be provided in there is no limit to how much could be provided in Minnesota. Minnesota.

Networks are Important Networks are Important

►►Companies Contract with Networks of Companies Contract with Networks of

Large Cell Phone Providers to Deliver their Large Cell Phone Providers to Deliver their

Services.Services.

►►One Network May Not Adequately Serve One Network May Not Adequately Serve

Your Clients!Your Clients!

What Companies Offer Lifeline Cell What Companies Offer Lifeline Cell

Phone ServicePhone Service

►►There are 7 companies that provide Lifeline There are 7 companies that provide Lifeline

Cell Phone ServicesCell Phone Services

►►TT--Mobile offers the Lifeline discount to Mobile offers the Lifeline discount to

eligible recipients on a contract plan. eligible recipients on a contract plan.

►►All Lifeline companies offer a plan with at All Lifeline companies offer a plan with at

least 250 minutes.least 250 minutes.

Life WirelessLife Wireless

Parent Company is Parent Company is TelriteTelrite CorporationCorporation

Uses AT&T and Verizon NetworksUses AT&T and Verizon Networks

Plan 1: 250 minutes that do not rolloverPlan 1: 250 minutes that do not rollover

Plan 2: 125 minutes that do rolloverPlan 2: 125 minutes that do rollover

Text messaging at rate of 3 text messages Text messaging at rate of 3 text messages per minute of air timeper minute of air time

Website: Website: www.lifewireless.comwww.lifewireless.com

Customer Service 1Customer Service 1--888888--543543--36203620

Some Community OutreachSome Community Outreach

Life Wireless: Adding MinutesLife Wireless: Adding Minutes

►► $5=60 additional minutes (8.3 cents/minute)$5=60 additional minutes (8.3 cents/minute)

►► $10=130 additional minutes (7.9 cents/minute)$10=130 additional minutes (7.9 cents/minute)

►► $4.95= 1 day unlimited talk & text$4.95= 1 day unlimited talk & text

►► $7.95= 3 days unlimited talk & text$7.95= 3 days unlimited talk & text



►► $29.95= 1 month unlimited talk & text$29.95= 1 month unlimited talk & text

►► You can add additional airtime online, or at You can add additional airtime online, or at MoneyGramMoneyGram locations. There is a $2.99 fee for locations. There is a $2.99 fee for using using MoneyGramMoneyGram..

Assurance WirelessAssurance Wireless

►►Uses the brand name Virgin Mobile, Uses the brand name Virgin Mobile,

subsidiary of Sprintsubsidiary of Sprint

►►Uses the Sprint NetworkUses the Sprint Network

►►250 minutes and 250 text messages250 minutes and 250 text messages

►►Website: Website: www.assurancewireless.comwww.assurancewireless.com

►►Customer Service: 1Customer Service: 1--877877--351351--47474747

►►Lots of television commercialsLots of television commercials

Assurance Wireless: Adding MinutesAssurance Wireless: Adding Minutes

►►$5= 250 additional minutes and 250 $5= 250 additional minutes and 250

additional text messagesadditional text messages

►►$20= 750 additional text messages & 750 $20= 750 additional text messages & 750

additional text messagesadditional text messages

►►$30= Unlimited talk, text, and web$30= Unlimited talk, text, and web

►►You can add additional air time online, or by You can add additional air time online, or by

purchasing purchasing ““TopTop--UpUp”” cards from stores such cards from stores such

as Target, Walas Target, Wal--Mart, and Best Buy.Mart, and Best Buy.

TerraComTerraCom WirelessWireless

►►Uses a combination of networksUses a combination of networks

►►Offers 250 minutes and text messaging at a Offers 250 minutes and text messaging at a

rate of one text message per minute of air rate of one text message per minute of air

time.time.

►►Website: Website: www.terracomwireless.comwww.terracomwireless.com


►►TerraComTerraCom Wireless has a history of security Wireless has a history of security

breeches (we will talk about this later)breeches (we will talk about this later)

TerraComTerraCom Wireless: Adding MinutesWireless: Adding Minutes

Additional minutes start at $5 for 60 minutesAdditional minutes start at $5 for 60 minutes

Website and customer service is unclear Website and customer service is unclear

about additional rate plans.about additional rate plans.

QLinkQLink WirelessWireless

►► Plan 1: 250 minutes that do not rollover; text Plan 1: 250 minutes that do not rollover; text messaging at rate of 1 text/minute of air timemessaging at rate of 1 text/minute of air time

►► Plan 2: 125 minutes with rollover; text messaging Plan 2: 125 minutes with rollover; text messaging at rate of 1 text/minute of air timeat rate of 1 text/minute of air time

►► Plan 3: 68 minutes of air time with rollover; text Plan 3: 68 minutes of air time with rollover; text messaging at a rate of 3 texts/minute of air time, messaging at a rate of 3 texts/minute of air time, and no additional cost for international calls.and no additional cost for international calls.

►► Uses the Sprint NetworkUses the Sprint Network

►►Website: Website: www.qlinkwireless.comwww.qlinkwireless.com

►► Customer Service: 1Customer Service: 1--855855--754754--65436543

QlinkQlink WirelessWireless

►► $10= 50 minutes of airtime$10= 50 minutes of airtime

►► $20= 100 minutes of air time$20= 100 minutes of air time




►► $60= Unlimited air time$60= Unlimited air time

►► Additional minutes can be purchased through their Additional minutes can be purchased through their

website or by calling customer service. website or by calling customer service.

Budget PhoneBudget Phone

►►Offers 250 minutesOffers 250 minutes

►►Uses a combination of networksUses a combination of networks

►►Website: Website: www.budgetmobile.comwww.budgetmobile.com


►►Tends to provide more advanced phonesTends to provide more advanced phones

►►Performs some outreach at community Performs some outreach at community

events.events.

Budget Mobile: Adding MinutesBudget Mobile: Adding Minutes

►► $5=100 additional minutes and 1,000 text $5=100 additional minutes and 1,000 text messagesmessages

►► $10= 250 additional minutes and 1,500 text $10= 250 additional minutes and 1,500 text messagesmessages

►► $20= 750 additional minutes and 4,000 text $20= 750 additional minutes and 4,000 text messagesmessages

►► $30= 1,75 additional minutes and 6,000 text $30= 1,75 additional minutes and 6,000 text messagesmessages

►► You can purchase additional minutes through their You can purchase additional minutes through their websitewebsite

EntouchEntouch

►►Subsidiary of BoomerangSubsidiary of Boomerang



Text messaging at rate of 1 text message per Text messaging at rate of 1 text message per

minute of air timeminute of air time

Website: Website: www.entouchwireless.comwww.entouchwireless.com

Customer Service: 1Customer Service: 1--866866--488488--87198719

EntouchEntouch: Adding Minutes: Adding Minutes

ReachoutReachout WirelessWireless



Additional Minutes start at $3 for 30 minutes.Additional Minutes start at $3 for 30 minutes.

Website: Website: www.reachoutmobile.comwww.reachoutmobile.com

Customer Service 1Customer Service 1--877877--870870--94449444

TerraComTerraCom Wireless & Free Phone Wireless & Free Phone

MinnesotaMinnesota

►► Free Phone MinnesotaFree Phone Minnesota

�� Independent 3Independent 3rdrd party distributor of Life Wireless party distributor of Life Wireless

ServicesServices

�� Began operating February of 2012Began operating February of 2012

�� Around February of 2013, stopped distributing services Around February of 2013, stopped distributing services

of Life Wireless, and began distributing services of of Life Wireless, and began distributing services of

TerraComTerraCom Wireless.Wireless.

�� July of 2013, July of 2013, TerracomTerracom Wireless ended their relationship Wireless ended their relationship

with Life Wireless.with Life Wireless.

�� July of 2013 Free Phone Minnesota closes for businessJuly of 2013 Free Phone Minnesota closes for business


MinnesotaMinnesota

►► April 2013 Reporter of Scripps Howard News April 2013 Reporter of Scripps Howard News

Service informs Service informs TerraComTerraCom Wireless of a Security Wireless of a Security

BreechBreech

�� Personal information including name, address, social Personal information including name, address, social

security number, and involvement on program security number, and involvement on program

enrollmentenrollment

►► TerraComTerraCom Wireless sent a letter of the 2,404 Wireless sent a letter of the 2,404

Minnesotans affected by the security breech, set Minnesotans affected by the security breech, set

up hotline, and provided minimal information how up hotline, and provided minimal information how

people can check their credit scores. people can check their credit scores.


Minnesota Minnesota

►►Example of how fast things can move.Example of how fast things can move.

►►How confusing it can beHow confusing it can be

►►Need for consumer advocacyNeed for consumer advocacy

�� Keep clients adequately informed of changesKeep clients adequately informed of changes

�� Advocate for stronger security standardsAdvocate for stronger security standards

TT--MobileMobile

►►Does not offer an exclusive Lifeline cell Does not offer an exclusive Lifeline cell

phone service, but will provide Lifeline phone service, but will provide Lifeline

subsidy to existing contract plans.subsidy to existing contract plans.

►►Very small, not very well marketedVery small, not very well marketed

What If I have Questions/Complaints What If I have Questions/Complaints

about a Lifeline Providerabout a Lifeline Provider

►►Contact the Public Utilities CommissionContact the Public Utilities Commission

�� 651651--296296--0406 or toll free at 10406 or toll free at 1--800800--657657--37823782

�� [email protected]@state.mn.us

►►Contact Open Access ConnectionsContact Open Access Connections

�� Lifeline Hotline 651Lifeline Hotline 651--637637--13011301

�� Join our Advocacy EffortsJoin our Advocacy Efforts

�� Contact Mark Contact Mark ErpeldingErpelding, 612, 612--432432--09000900

National Lifeline IssuesNational Lifeline Issues

►►Attacked by certain members of Congress Attacked by certain members of Congress

and Senateand Senate

►►FCC is working to eliminate duplicate FCC is working to eliminate duplicate

membersmembers

What if a Lifeline Cell Phone is not What if a Lifeline Cell Phone is not

Enough Service?Enough Service?

►► Open Access Connections Voice MailOpen Access Connections Voice Mail�� We partner with over 300 agencies across the state of We partner with over 300 agencies across the state of Minnesota.Minnesota.

�� Distribute more than 3,200 voice mail numbers Distribute more than 3,200 voice mail numbers annually.annually.

�� Completely free to clients. We have a hotline number Completely free to clients. We have a hotline number for people in Greater Minnesota to check their voice for people in Greater Minnesota to check their voice mail number tollmail number toll--free.free.

�� Perfect complement to a Lifeline cell phone. Consistent Perfect complement to a Lifeline cell phone. Consistent number to put on resumes and housing applications. A number to put on resumes and housing applications. A Lifeline cell phone becomes unusable when you run out Lifeline cell phone becomes unusable when you run out of minute. of minute.

What if a Lifeline Cell Phone is not What if a Lifeline Cell Phone is not

Enough Service?Enough Service?

►►How do I become a partner agency?How do I become a partner agency?

�� Attend a one hour training.Attend a one hour training.

�� You will be given your own set of numbers to You will be given your own set of numbers to

manage. manage.

�� It only takes 5 minutes to sign a person up for It only takes 5 minutes to sign a person up for

voice mail.voice mail.

�� Complete and send a client assignment sheet.Complete and send a client assignment sheet.

St. Cloud TrainingSt. Cloud Training

►►Tuesday, October 29Tuesday, October 29thth, 2013, 2013�� 9:30am9:30am--11am11am

�� American Heritage National BankAmerican Heritage National Bank

�� 2915 22915 2ndnd Street SouthStreet South

�� St. Cloud MN 56301St. Cloud MN 56301

�� Contact me at 651Contact me at 651--621621--2494 or 2494 or mark@openaccessconnectionsmark@openaccessconnections to reserve a to reserve a spot!spot!

everything you need to know about lifeline supported cell

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