Frontier Communications (Nasdaq: FTR) is one of the first service providers to offer discounted broadband services in Eastern Ohio under a new FCC pilot that is focused on extending broadband to eligible Lifeline program participants.
Areas where the service will be available include Columbiana, Carroll, Holmes, Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Harrison, Jefferson, Belmont, Guernsey, Noble and Washington.
The new program centers on "encouraging" eligible residents to purchase a broadband service by giving them price discounts and promoting the use of the Internet for daily activities such as job applications and education. Traditionally, the Lifeline program was focused on providing discounted voice-only service for low-income consumers.
"The entire Frontier team looks forward to helping Ohioans participate in this program, which will improve the quality of life for participating low-income residents throughout the state," Kevin Wallick, general manager of Frontier's Eastern Ohio market, told The Daily and Sunday Jeffersonian. "This is a limited-time offer, so I encourage anyone who is interested in participating in the program to contact us right away."
To promote the service, Frontier has joined with Connect Ohio, a nonprofit subsidiary of Connected Nation that's focused on touting the value of broadband services. According to Connect Ohio statistics, only 71 percent the Ohio's residents have a broadband connection at their house.
This program in Eastern Ohio is part of a broader initiative the FCC is taking on to bring broadband to more residents and crack down on fraud and abuse of the Lifeline system. Last December, the FCC selected 14 pilot projects in 21 states and Puerto Rico that will test approaches to use the Lifeline program to increase broadband adoption by lower-income residents.
For more:
- The Daily and Sunday Jeffersonian has this article
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