Low Income Families Can Get More Affordable Phone Service

While more than 90 percent of American households have telephone service, there are millions who simply cannot afford a telephone in their home. Consumers may be eligible for these reduced rate telephone services if they receive qualified benefits from their state. Phone service is an essential component of public safety. TDS Telecommunications Corp. is committed to helping low-income families get telephones in their homes at an affordable rate using funds from the Universal Service Fund program.

"Lifeline and Link-Up are designed to ensure that everyone in the country has access to basic telephone service," said Kevin Hess, senior vice president of Government and Regulatory Affairs for TDS Telecommunications Corp. "Phone service is not only a convenience, but a necessity. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Lifeline program provides discounts on monthly service for qualified telephone subscribers. The Link-Up program offers reduced charges for telephone installation and additional discounts off the monthly service.

People can also call 1-888-CALL-FCC or log on to www.fcc.gov/cgb. There are different requirements in nearly every state to qualify for the Lifeline and Link-Up programs. The nationwide switch to digital television will be complete June 12, 2009, but your local television stations may switch sooner. TDS Telecommunications Corp. markets communication services to business and residential customers in 30 states through its brands TDS Telecom® and TDS Metrocom®. With nearly 1.2 million access line equivalents in service, TDS Telecommunications Corp. connects customers to phone, broadband, and digital television service in hundreds of rural, suburban, and metropolitan communities. TDS Telecommunications Corp. is the eighth-largest wire line company in the nation; employing approximately 2,730 people. The company is headquartered in Madison, Wis. Visit www.tdstelecom.com and www.tdsbusiness.com for more information.