Speak Your Piece: Take Lifeline Online

[Commentary] It took a lot for me to get where I am today -- and my Lifeline phone played a huge role and bringing it all together. The Lifeline program is intended for low-income people who cannot afford a phone. The FCC has supplemented wireless phones with minutes and text messages available for these people to stay connected and develop self-sufficiency. The objective of the Lifeline phone is to provide communication between employers, caseworkers, schools and any other line of business. The hope is that being connected with these important institutions and people will help decrease the low-income population.

Because the Internet has become such an important part of how we all communicate, I believe that broadband service should be incorporated into the Lifeline program. Many employers and educators require online job applications and e-mail communication. The Internet is also the way I’m furthering my education. I can’t be physically in a classroom, so online classes are critical. And you never know the importance of being connected until you are disconnected. I trust that the Lifeline program could do even more for people if broadband were a part of the package.

[Sharell Harmon is a 23-year-old student at Youth Build North-Central West Virginia]