SafeLink Wireless(R) Now Available to 572,292 Low-Income Citizens of Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- TracFone Wireless, Inc., America's largest prepaid cell phone provider, announced its Louisiana launch of SafeLink Wireless®.  Introduced in August 2008, SafeLink is the leader in wireless Lifeline service – a U.S. government supported program that ensures telephone service is available and affordable for eligible low-income households.  

SafeLink is the only offering of its kind available in Louisiana with over 572,000 residents who qualify for Lifeline services in the Bayou State.  Asserting that free does mean free, SafeLink provides the cell phone at its own expense and service comes without contracts, monthly bills, security deposits or credit checks.

"TracFone has a long record of serving the communications needs of the people of the great state of Louisiana," said Jose Fuentes, Director of Government Relations for TracFone.  "We are proud to be able to now bring SafeLink Wireless to those most in need, offering them the same access and privileges many individuals take for granted when it comes to using cell phones, including contact with current or potential employers, children away from the home, or relatives in other parts of the country, not to mention vital emergency responders," added Fuentes.  SafeLink Wireless offers low-income families accessibility, freedom and the security of knowing that should an emergency occur – wherever they are – they will stay safe and stay connected.

SafeLink provides eligible low-income households 68 free monthly airtime minutes for one year, unlimited access to 911 and the free cell phone.  Any unused minutes do not expire and automatically roll over.  The cell phone offers in-demand features: voicemail, text, call waiting, international calling to over 60 destinations, and caller ID.  

The federal "Lifeline" program was created during the Reagan Administration.  Lifeline is a federal program created by the Reagan-era Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1984. The program was enhanced under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which was supported on a broadly bipartisan basis in Congress.  The FCC's Low Income Program of the Universal Service Fund (USF), which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), is designed to ensure that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income customers at just, reasonable and affordable rates.  Lifeline support reduces eligible low-income consumers' monthly charges for basic telephone service.

With SafeLink, TracFone was the first to modernize Lifeline for how people communicate today.  The prepaid feature gives customers the freedom to control the cost of their monthly telephone expense without any surprises.  SafeLink customers wishing to use additional minutes beyond their free allotment can add minutes by purchasing TracFone airtime cards at local retailers.  As an exclusive benefit for SafeLink customers, SafeLink phones will automatically add bonus minutes on TracFone's 60, 90 and 120 minute airtime cards.  

To qualify for Lifeline in the state of Louisiana, a household must participate in one of the following: Medicaid; Food Stamps (SNAP); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Federal Public Housing Assistance/ Section 8; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); National School Lunch (free program only); or participants may qualify if the total household income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

SAFELINK WIRELESS® SERVICE ELIGIBILITY OVERVIEW BY COUNTY

Top 10 Louisiana parishes with the most eligible Lifeline participants:

While currently available through most of the state, SafeLink will not be available in the following parishes until February 3rd: Acadia, Claiborne, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Madison, Rapides, Richland, St. Landry, and St. Martin Parish.  To learn more about the SafeLink Wireless service, including eligibility requirements and additional features and benefits, please call 1-800-SAFELINK (1-800-723-3546), or visit www.safelink.com.  

ABOUT TRACFONE WIRELESS, INC.

TracFone Wireless, Inc. is America's number one prepaid wireless service in the U.S. with more than 12 million cell phone subscribers.  TracFone is a subsidiary of America Movil, S.A.B. de C.V. ("AMX") (BMV: AMX; NYSE: AMX; Nasdaq: AMOV; LATIBEX: XAMXL), the leading provider of wireless services in Latin America with more than 194 million cell phone subscribers.  For more information, please visit: www.tracfone.com.

SOURCE TracFone Wireless, Inc.