"Obama Phones" vs. President Barak Obama

Online, April 1, 2010 (Newswire.com) - This write up is to crystal clear all the false perceptions, misconceptions and subsections related to the term "Obama phones." The only thing similar between Obama Phones and American president is the first name and origin of similarity is still unknown.

What is true is the fact that the Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up America programs have been around since 1984 which was under the Regan administration and was not started by the Obama administration. Also the Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up America programs have nothing to do with the "Stimulus Program" of 2009.

The Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up America programs are only one part of the Universal Service Fund (USF) which exists to ensure that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income customers at just, reasonable and affordable rates. The Universal Service Fund program is not a tax paid by U.S. taxpayers. The Universal Service Fund program is funded from contributions by telecommunications carriers collected in part from the Universal Service Charge applicable to all forms of interstate telecommunication services.

The concept of "Universal Service" as it applies to telecommunication services was actually started way back in 1934 by President Franklin Roosevelt way before World War II!

Companies like REACHOUT WIRELESS are simply offering this discount benefit to low income families and individuals via wireless services in place of older technologies like landline phone service. REACHOUT WIRELESS Government Phone services include voicemail, text, three-way calling, call waiting, caller ID and access to 911. REACHOUT WIRELESS subscribers can purchase additional airtime and unused minutes will be rolled over to the next month as long as the subscriber remains active on the program. An applicant has to affirm under penalty of perjury that they are eligible to receive the benefit and it is available to one member per household.