On May 12, 2021, the Emergency Broadband Benefit was introduced as a temporary FCC program to assist households in paying for Internet service during the Covid 19 pandemic. If you fit for the emergency broadband benefit spectrum, this new benefit will offer a monthly credit for your broadband service bill up to $50 or $75 per month in Tribal lands.
However, Spectrum Mobile operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) using Verizon’s nationwide network, which is the most prominent 4G LTE network in the U.S. Besides, Verizon’s network spreads across 70% of the whole U.S. territory and covers over 99% of the total population. Notably, the Emergency Broadband Benefit applies to one monthly service credit and one discount per household.
Most importantly, the eligible members qualify for an emergency broadband benefit-free tablet under certain conditions. The service providers will issue a notice to all the participating customers 30 days before the Emergency Broadband Benefit program end. The details will include information concerning the cost of broadband service after the program ends. On the other hand, customers can opt to end this service anytime with no penalty incurred.
Who Emergency Broadband Benefit Spectrum?
If you are an ongoing participant in the Lifeline program, you do not need to apply once more for the Emergency Broadband Benefit. You can apply your Lifeline and Emergency Broadband Benefit to the same or separate services. You can conduct to your Lifeline provider concerning the available services as part of Emergency Broadband Benefit.
However, you have to know the options to apply the discounts to your existing Lifeline service or reach out to another broadband provider offering services in the EBB Program to apply the benefit to a different broadband service. Besides, this benefit will terminate once the program funds get exhausted.
Qualifying for the Emergency Broadband Benefit
A member of a household is eligible for this program under any of the following criteria:
If your household meets the qualifying criteria for the Emergency Broadband Benefit, any member of the household should;
- Qualify for Lifeline benefits when participating in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit;
- Participates in several Tribal specific programs such as Tribal Head Start (only for households with the stated income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, in addition to Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance.
Lifeline is a program that provides communications services at an affordable rate for low-income consumers. If you currently receive spectrum internet for low income, you automatically qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit. Better still, you can get both benefits simultaneously.
If can enroll for your Emergency Broadband Benefit and your Lifeline service to the same or distinct services. You have to talk to your internet service provider to know how to begin receiving EBB Program discounts.
You may be required to submit documentation such as a card, letter, or official document to prove that you participate in any of said programs when applying for the Emergency Broadband Benefit.
i) If Your Household Income Is Within the Specified Amount
You can benefit from the Emergency Broadband Benefit spectrum if your income level is 135% or less following the federal poverty guidelines. The standards are based on your household size and state.
However, you will have to provide proof of income, including pay stubs or a tax return, when applying for the EBB Program to confirm your gross household income status.
ii) Qualify Through Your Child or Dependent
You qualify if you received approval for benefits following the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, in addition to the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school year.
For every household, any member can be eligible. For instance, if your child or dependent is a member of the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program, in this case, your household is fit for the Emergency Broadband Benefit, and the students can qualify for the ebb program laptop program.
- Acquired a federal Pell Grant in the current award year;
- If Your Broadband Provider Currently Has Its Own Low-Income or COVID-19 Relief Program
If your broadband provider participates in its own low-income or COVID-19 relief program and that your provider has FCC approval for its eligibility verification process. You can qualify through this program also, but you need to contact your broadband provider for more information.
iii) If You Faced a Job Loss or Furlough
If you encountered a substantial loss of income as from February 29, 2020, due to job loss or business, or if you got a layoff, And has a gross household income in 2020 that lies at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; you may qualify for the EBB Program.
Besides, you will have to submit proof of the job loss, including business closure or bankruptcy or leave, like a termination letter or furlough notice, in addition to proof of your total income, such as a tax return or official documentation showing income information when applying for the EBB Program.
Does Spectrum Offer Bring Your Own Phone?
Initially, switching phone carriers was complicated and expensive. Still, nowadays, when you switch to Spectrum Mobile, you’ll enjoy affordable bring your own phone plans that can save you several dollars on your monthly cell phone bill.
Additionally, Spectrum Mobile provide it quick and easy to buy a SIM card kit online and receive your new plan up and kicking in a span of a few days.
Spectrum Mobile BYOP Benefits
When you bring your own device to a low-cost carrier plan like Spectrum Mobile, you get several advantages;
- Lower prices -with cheap plans, helps you save up to $600 per year with an MVNO.
- Keep your number- there is no need to change your number from your current carrier; you can easily port it into Spectrum Mobile.
- Flexibility- You will enjoy no contracts prepaid plans, and if you need to change carrier anytime, you can cancel or amend your plan.
- Easy to switch- You can easily switch to Spectrum, you need to pick your plan, and your SIM card kit will get delivered to you in the mail.
- Quality coverage- Since Spectrum uses the Verizon network, you’ll enjoy the same coverage on the nationwide 4G LTE network.
What Phones Does Spectrum Have?
Spectrum Mobile has several phone brands for purchase, including the latest Apple iPhones and Android devices from Motorola, Google, L.G., and Samsung. However, most of Spectrum Mobile’s phone selection comprises more expensive flagships, but affordable models such as older iPhones and L.G. devices are also available.
Moreover, this carrier has the following payment options for spectrum cell phone deals when purchasing a Spectrum Mobile cell phone:
1) Buy it outright
If you purchase a phone outright from Spectrum Mobile, it means paying the total recommended retail price (RRP). However, this can be a costly option, paying for the total cost of a phone upfront instead of using affordable monthly payments.
On the good side, buying outright saves you from a long-term payment agreement (24 months), but Spectrum doesn’t charge interest for its installment plan. Thus, provided you can stay with Spectrum Mobile for some years, the installment option is the best way to acquire a more expensive phone.
However, suppose you have to transfer your Spectrum phone to another carrier within two years of acquiring your device. In that case, you can at least receive your full phone payment needed for unlocking sooner if you purchase it outright.
2) Spectrum Mobile’s 24-month payment plan
Spectrum Mobile provides 24-month payment plans on their mobile phones with 0% interest, unlike other MVNOs that use third-party companies and charges interest depending on your credit rating.
However, Spectrum Mobile already runs a credit check for you to sign up for their service. Hence, you’ll already know if you’re eligible for the Spectrum Mobile financing option before you buy one of their phones.
Spectrum Mobile Compatible Phones
You can instantly check if your phone is compatible with Spectrum Mobile using the IMEI checker. If your current mobile phone is incompatible, you can still get some affordable prepaid phones online. The phones range from basic cell phones to the latest smartphones money can buy.
However, if you bought your phone via a payment plan with AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, you’ll have to check if the phone is unlocked. Mostly, cell phones bought from the big three carriers come locked to their network, but immediately the contract ends, provided the phone has been paid off, they can unlock the cell phone for you.
How Do You Switch To Spectrum Mobile?
If you want to switch to Spectrum Mobile, you’ll have to confirm few things first. You must make sure your current phone is unlocked, meaning it’s not under any contract to a specific carrier and that it’s compatible with the Spectrum Mobile network.
You can confirm if your phone is compatible using the company’s IMEI number. If your current handset is not compatible unluckily, there are options of getting a new phone from Spectrum Mobile that won’t drain your pocket out.
Spectrum Mobile SIM Card Activation
The following are the steps to have your phone active with a Spectrum Mobile low-cost plan;
- Check if your phone’s compatible and unlocked.
- Select and order your Spectrum Mobile SIM card kit online
- When it arrives, input your SIM card into your phone and follow the activation guidelines that come with the package.
Bottom line
The Emergency Broadband benefit spectrum is a limited-time program that seeks to help individuals adversely affected by the ongoing pandemic access to internet services and devices. However, after the Emergency Broadband Benefit program ends, you’ll continue receiving Internet service at the monthly rate of the plan you chose. Still, your monthly bill will not comprise the Emergency Broadband Benefit credit. If you choose not to continue to get the service after the benefit ends, you will get discontinued automatically.