SafeLink Wireless Ads Ask: Why is Alabama Being Silenced?

Business Wire, March 03, 2009

New Campaign Urges Low-Income State Residents to Speak up for Their Right to Communicate During Emergencies and Crucial Job Searches

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Half a million low-income households in Alabama qualify for SafeLink Wireless, a free government supported program that provides free cell phones and airtime, but the Alabama Wireless 911 Board has denied certification to bring the service to them.

Because of the bureaucratic stalemate between the board and government Lifeline provider TracFone Wireless Inc., SafeLink Wireless has launched a new local radio and print advertising campaign urging residents to engage in the debate and voice their concerns to those responsible for the foot dragging and keeping the free service from reaching low-income households.

SafeLink Wireless is already available in Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York and parts of Michigan and Pennsylvania, yet the state of Alabama has blocked the program, defying a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) order mandating that the new Lifeline service become available to the citizens of Alabama. 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.

Jose Fuentes, director of government relations, TracFone Wireless said: “This is an unfortunate situation where those who need our program the most in the State of Alabama are losing out for no good reason. The notion that there are legal liabilities is quite simply, preposterous. Other states, cities and counties across the U.S. have weighed these same issues and proceeded to certify our program in order to connect their poorest citizens to the telecommunications system. The only thing that officials have to certify is that our cell phones have the ability to dial and connect to 911 call centers regardless of activation status or prepaid minutes. That can be tested and proven in a matter of minutes. The state’s insistence to deny an FCC mandated order to provide service borders on the criminal and violates human rights in this age of advanced technology.”

On two separate occasions as well as numerous correspondences to members of the Board, representatives from TracFone went before the Alabama Wireless 911 Board asking for the statewide E911 certification that is needed for the company to launch its one-of-a-kind offering of Lifeline, SafeLink Wireless. SafeLink Wireless provides low-income households a free cell phone and free 68 minutes a month for one year. On both occasions, the Board denied TracFone's contention that the committee had the authority to grant the certification request given that they have governance and fiduciary duties over all of the state's 911 calling centers or Public Service Answering Points (PSAPs). TracFone now is forced to secure the certification from each of the state's 88 PSAPs before bringing SafeLink to the county where the PSAP operates.

“We are offering low-income residents of the State of Alabama the opportunity to have the same access and privileges many individuals take for granted when it comes to using cell phones,” Fuentes said. “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. 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 SafeLink cell phones would mean more economic opportunity and enhanced public safety for low-income families.

Typically, families living below the poverty line struggle to pay their monthly bills, experience credit issues, and cannot afford traditional home phone and wireless services. Using public pay phones regularly poses problems and cell phone contracts often are difficult to maintain due to costly usage charges over long-term agreements. As a result, regular communication is a major dilemma for these families.

Federal Lifeline program eligibility varies by state but generally families may qualify for SafeLink Wireless service if their household income is not above 135 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, or if they receive any of the following government assistance programs: Medicaid; Supplement Security Income (SSI); Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); National School Lunch Program; Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8); Food Stamps; and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).