CPUC Upgrades California LifeLine: $20 Monthly Discount, Up to 20GB of Data, No Cost to Participants
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted on October 8 to modernize the California LifeLine program. Wireless participants will receive a $20 monthly discount with unlimited talk and text and a choice of 8GB, 15GB or 20GB of monthly data — with carrier-switching lock-in periods of 24 hours, 60 days or 90 days respectively — at no cost to the participant. The previous wireless standard offered about 6GB of data.
The state discount stacks with the federal Lifeline discount of $9.25 a month, bringing combined plans to 12.5GB and up to 24.5GB at the top tier. About 1.46 million California households participate in both programs. For wireline service, the subsidy covers 55% of the carrier's monthly rate up to $19. The vote also changed carrier activation reimbursements to $15 once a year, replacing $39 twice a year.
LifeLine serves low-income households, including those enrolled in programs such as CalFresh or Medi-Cal. CPUC President John Reynolds said daily life runs through mobile service, and the update aims to give low-income Californians affordable plans comparable to the wider market.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 居民使用智能手机（资料图，CC0）
