Life Wireless Offering Cell Phone Service in Nine States

COVINGTON, Ga., May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Wireless™ now is providing free and discounted mobile phone service to eligible low-income families and individuals in nine states – Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Rhode Island, and West Virginia, as well as Puerto Rico.

Life Wireless is supported by the Lifeline program, which was created by the U.S. Congress in 1985 to ensure that all families and individuals have access to affordable telephone service.

To be eligible, potential subscribers must take part in a government assistance program such as Medicaid or Food Stamps, or earn no more than 135 percent of the federal poverty level. Federal rules prohibit customers from receiving service from more than one Lifeline carrier at the same time.

Customers receive a basic mobile handset with voicemail, text messaging, call waiting, and other features. They are able to choose among a range of free and subsidized calling plans. Smart phones are not part of the Lifeline program.

"Having access to a mobile phone is no longer a luxury," said William Curry, principal of Life Wireless. "Life Wireless enables customers to stay in touch with their doctors, communicate with potential employers, and contact 911 during emergencies."

Life Wireless has hired 293 sales representatives across the country and in Puerto Rico.

Toni Pounds of Georgia had no phone service for a year before becoming a Life Wireless customer. She uses her phone to stay in touch with family members and provides the number to potential employers.

"It's also comforting to know that I have a phone should I need to call for help in an emergency," said Pounds. "I don't know what I'd do without my cell phone. It's become a necessity."

The challenging economy has swelled the ranks of America's poor. About 43 million people now live below the poverty line, or 14 percent of the U.S. population. The Lifeline program fulfills the Congressional directive to ensure that low-income families and individuals have access to affordable phone service, said Julius Genachowski, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

The program "is crucial to ensuring low-income Americans remain connected to our communications networks, particularly in tough economic times when, for example, the need to call about job opportunities or to obtain basic services is particularly acute," he said.

The FCC earlier this year enacted changes to the Lifeline program designed to improve oversight and eliminate fraud, including the creation of a national database to verify Lifeline eligibility. Life Wireless has been committed to preserving the integrity of the Lifeline program and helping those most in need obtain phone service. Indeed, no Lifeline carrier has developed a more thorough system to prevent fraud than Life Wireless.

The company performs multiple checks on each potential customer to ensure that they qualify to receive service. All Life Wireless sales representatives receive extensive training to ensure that company policies are upheld.

"Life Wireless goes above and beyond the federal and state requirements to ensure that industry-leading standards in compliance are applied to every enrollment. They do more than is required, and everything in their power to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the system," said Chuck Campbell, founder of CGM, a Lifeline data processing and auditing company.

Those interested in obtaining Lifeline service, or becoming a Life Wireless sales representative, may complete an application at the company's web site, www.lifewireless.com.

About Life Wireless
LIFE WIRELESS™ is a government assisted wireless service provided by LIFE WIRELESS HOLDINGS, LLC and is powered by the TELRITE CORPORATION. LIFE WIRELESS™ offers a Lifeline discount to low-income families and individuals for wireless services. To obtain LIFE WIRELESS™ service potential subscribers must meet certain eligibility requirements such as receiving governmental assistance or a household income that is near the federal poverty level. The specifics of what determines a potential subscriber's eligibility are specific to each state. For more information about Life Wireless, please visit the company's Web site, www.lifewireless.com.

Life Wireless is available in Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota Missouri, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia.

SOURCE Life Wireless