Lifeline Providers

Are you looking for Lifeline providers of free phone service?  I have plenty of content on this site relating to this government sponsored program for eligible low income households.  If you haven't already, you can learn more about the program and how it works by visiting Free Cell Phone Service.  That page even contains free options from non-Lifeline carriers.

After hearing from visitors to this site, I came to understand that having an easy way to quickly compare Lifeline services is a real need.  Please note that offers from a given provider do vary from state to state, however, they typically do have an overarching baseline offer.  I've captured these plans in the table below to help you in your research.  Also note that Lifeline service providers do not offer their program in every state across the country (even though they do have nationwide cellular coverage).  They are, however, continually expanding to new states, so definitely check their website for eligible locations.  Once you've narrowed down your preference to two or three providers, you can check out their website to verify that they offer their program in your area.

Consider the following when comparing Lifeline providers:

• How many voice minutes are included?
• How many text messages are included?
• Can I get a free smartphone?
• Can I bring my own smartphone (BYOD)?
• Can I buy a smartphone directly from the provider?
• Is the smartphone offer different for existing versus new customers?
• How much data is included?
• Can I purchase additional minutes, text messages, and data if I run out?
• Offers vary by state; what are the offers available to me?

 

Lifeline Provider	Free Services	Network	Support BYOD	Notes
Access Wireless	100 voice minutes Unlimited texts 500MB data	Sprint	Y(?)	Runs on Sprint network. Can purchase smartphone upgrade. Y(?) - Their website has no official BYOD info, however, people have noted being able to activate compatible phones.
Assurance Wireless	See Access Wireless	Sprint	N	Merging with Access. Offering the same plans. Not yet clear if Assurance brand will be discontinued.
Assist Wireless	500 voice minutes 500 texts	Sprint T-Mobile	Y	Can purchase additional minutes & texts, and data ranging from $1-$40 per month.
Blue Jay Wireless	250-Unlimited voice minutes Unlimited texts 500MB data	Sprint Verizon	N	Can pay extra for additional plan options. Offer ability to pay for upgraded phone.
Budget Mobile Service Discontinued April 2017	500 voice minutes 500 texts 500MB data	Verizon	TBD	Free smartphone available in some states.
Cintex Wireless Now part of StandUP Wireless	500 voice minutes Unlimited texts	T-Mobile	N	Free smartphone Have to purchase data; $5 for 200MB, or $10 for 500MB
C Spire Wireless	$9.25 monthly credit	C Spire	N	Credit applies only to postpaid calling plans.
Easy Wireless	250-1,000 voice minutes 250-1,000 texts 25-500MB data	Sprint	Y	Offer data option add-ons when data is not included.
enTouch Wireless	100 to Unlimited voice minutes 100 to Unlimited texts 10MB-750MB Data	Sprint	Y	Can purchase additional service as needed.
GCI Wireless	Unlimited voice Unlimited text 500 min long distance 1GB data 1GB TurboZone WiFi	GCI	N	$1/month charge Alaska only program Smartphones available
Life Wireless	1,250 to Unlimited voice minutes Unlimited texts 250-500MB data	AT&T	N	Offer 3 different plans. MMS & SMS are treated as different allocations.
Q Link Wireless	68-500 minutes 1 min = 8 text messages carryover	Sprint	N	Offer different plans, which vary by state.
SafeLink Wireless	Unlimited voice Unlimited texts 500MB data	Sprint Verizon AT&T T-Mobile	Y	Free smartphone
StandUP Wireless	Unlimited voice Unlimited texts	Sprint Verizon AT&T T-Mobile	N	Don't appear to offer smartphones.
Tag Mobile	750 minutes Unlimited texts 1GB data (but varies by State)	T-Mobile Sprint Verizon	Y	Free smartphone, but don't guarantee what phone type you'll receive.
Tempo	150 or 250 minutes 3 texts = 1 min 1MB data = 2 min	Sprint	N	Free feature phone. 150 min plan includes rollover of unused minutes.
Terracom Wireless	500-1,000 voice Unlimited texts	Sprint Verizon	Y	Offer free smartphone. Can upgrade to get data.
TruConnect	Unlimited voice Unlimited texts 200 talk minutes to Mexico 1GB data if BYOD	Sprint AT&T	Y	Free smartphone in CA.
True Wireless	500 voice minutes 500 text messages 500MB data	Sprint Verizon AT&T T-Mobile	N	Smartphones are available. Can buy additional services.
US Connect Mobile	500 voice minutes Unlimited texts	Sprint Verizon T-Mobile	N	Offer a number of topup options if you need extra services. May have changed their name to Cell Span, Inc. Both old & new websites are down. Wil update when their issue is resolved!
MyLifelineJobs.com	n/a	n/a	n/a	A portal to various Lifeline programs; doesn't note which programs though.

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