TracFone Wireless Launches SafeLink Wireless(R) to Aid Over One ...

Tag : Emergency Call
Today, TracFone Wireless, Inc., America's leading prepaid cellphone provider announced its launch of SafeLink Wireless(R) inFlorida. SafeLink Wireless will serve as the company's distributionof Lifeline - a U.S. government supported program for incomeeligible households that ensures telephone service is available andaffordable for eligible low income households.

The SafeLink Wireless service will provide eligible low-incomehouseholds a free cell phone, mobile access to emergency servicesand free 68 minutes of air time, monthly, for one year. The cellphone offers in-demand features: voicemail, text, call waiting,international calling to over 60 destinations and caller ID.

"Over one million households in Florida qualify for the Lifelineservices - offering these participants the opportunity to have thesame access and privileges many individuals take for granted whenit comes to using cell phones," said Javier Rosado, Senior VicePresident of Lifeline Services for TracFone. "The SafeLink Wirelessservice is truly unique because we are providing a service that noother company has made available before - a free cell phone andfree monthly minutes to qualifying low income families," addedRosado. SafeLink Wireless offers low income families accessibility,freedom and the security in knowing that should an emergency occur- wherever they are, they will stay safe and stay connected.

Economic opportunities for low-income households

A recent study ("Cell Phones Provide Significant Economic Gains forLow-Income American Households," April 2008) analyzed the impact ofmobile phones on low-income households. "In this day and age, thecell phone should be deemed an imperative necessity for themillions of low-income families who are far less likely to ownthem," said Nicholas P. Sullivan, the study's author and visitingscholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Our study showedcell phones can significantly boost the earning potential of thesecommunities, and this connectivity vastly encourages theiropportunities and remains central to their everyday survival,"Sullivan stressed.

The study also revealed the cell phone is a critical component forpersonal safety, access to emergency services, and can potentiallyincrease a low-income family's economic productivity and earningpower. Other relevant survey findings included:

-- Cell phones provide a "security blanket" and are "extremelyimportant" for "emergency use."

-- A cell phone is preferred to a landline phone for mobility andsecurity purposes, and is preferred to a landline phone foremergency use by 3-1 ratio.

-- 48% have used their phone to call or text during an emergencysituation.

-- 20% have received an emergency call or text on their cell phone.

-- 32% have purchased a cell phone for a relative to use inemergency situations.

-- 40% in blue-collar jobs say their cell phone has provided theopportunity to gain employment or make money.

Daily, millions of Americans depend on mobile telecommunicationsfor a wide range of basic activities including: calling emergencyservices, searching for employment, staying connected with lovedones, and much more. Yet, for people who cannot afford cell phones,being part of today's connected world and performing these crucialday-to-day needs is near impossible.

Typically, families living below the poverty line struggle to paytheir monthly bills, experience credit issues, and cannot affordtraditional home phone and wireless services. Using public payphones regularly pose problems and cell phone contracts often aredifficult to maintain due to costly usage charges over long-termagreements. As a result, regular communications is a major dilemmafor these families.

SAFELINK WIRELESS(R) SERVICE ELIGIBILITY OVERVIEW BY CITY

The following are opportunities per city specific to each state'slow-income population: -0- *T CITY LOW-INCOME POPULATION----------------------------------------------------------------------Florida - Miami-Dade 258,165 Florida - Broward 169,891 Florida -Pinellas 113,715 Florida - Palm Beach 111,897 Florida -Hillsborough 106,983 Florida - Orange 95,999 Florida - Duval 71,275Florida - Polk 58,058 Florida - Volusia 56,982 Florida - Brevard54,538 *T

Program Eligibility

Lifeline program eligibility varies by state but generally familiesmay qualify for SafeLink Wireless service if their household incomeis not above 135 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines,or if they receive any of the following government assistanceprograms:

-- Medicaid

-- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

-- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

-- National School Lunch Program

-- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)

-- Food Stamps

-- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

Families wanting to participate in the SafeLink Wireless servicewill need to provide proof of low-income qualification such as:

-- 2007 state or federal tax return

-- Three consecutive months of payroll statements, or paycheckstubs for 2008

-- A Social Security statement of benefits

-- A Veterans Administration statement of benefits

-- A retirement/pension statement of benefits

-- An Unemployment/Workmen's Compensation state of benefits

-- A federal notice letter of participation in General Assistance

-- A divorce decree, child support, or other official document thatproves your income

The SafeLink Wireless service will be provided to low-incomefamilies for up to one year. Participants may renew service andwill be required to re-submit eligibility documentation upon theiryear completion. If the participant no longer qualifies for thisfree service, they will be notified and will be able to keep thecell phone to continue enjoying the benefits as a regular TracFonecustomer. Unused minutes will never expire and will automaticallyrollover. When recipients surpass their allocated 68 airtimeminutes, they will be able to purchase prepaid SafeLink Wirelessairtime cards or TracFone airtime cards, including double minutecards. Existing TracFone customers qualifying for the SafeLinkWireless service may keep their current cell phone, and receivebonus minutes (one-time bonus only) for choosing to keep theircurrent cell phone.

To learn more about the SafeLink Wireless service, includingeligibility requirements, please call 1-800-977-3768, or visitwww.safelinkwireless.com.

ABOUT TRACFONE WIRELESS, INC.

TracFone Wireless, Inc. is America's number one prepaid wirelessservice in the U.S. with more than 10 million cell phonesubscribers. TracFone is a subsidiary of America Movil, S.A.B. deC.V. ("AMX") (BMV: AMX; NYSE: AMX; Nasdaq: AMOV; LATIBEX: XAMXL),the leading provider of wireless services in Latin America withmore than 153 million cell phone subscribers. For more information,please visit: www.tracfone.com.