Free Cell Phone Service http://governmentphoneplan.com/free-phone-plan Government Program For Free Cell Phone Service Wed, 22 Aug 2018 23:20:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 Choosing A Free Government Cell Phone Company http://governmentphoneplan.com/free-phone-plan/choosing-a-free-government-cell-phone-company/ Wed, 22 Aug 2018 23:20:50 +0000 http://governmentphoneplan.com/free-phone-plan/?p=49 continue reading]]> A few years ago, consumers didn’t have that many options for free government cell phones. In fact, in some states, there were no options at all. In others, there was a handful at best. Now, though, many states have several providers, and some, such as Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Kentucky, have more than a dozen different companies to choose from. The biggest providers are Budget Mobile, Assurance, and Safelink, but there are now many other providers to choose from such as:
•Access Wireless
•Blue Jay Wireless
•Cellular One
•EnTouch Wireless
•QLink Wireless
•Tag Mobile
Some providers service states all across the country. Others may be focused on just one region, or even a single state. Generally speaking, the more impoverished your state is, the more likely you are to find a lot of different options. You may be tempted to just go with the first one you see, but it is wise to do some research and take advantage of your options to choose a provider and plan which is right for you.
Another issue is trust. It isn’t just the quality of plans which can vary, but also the quality of providers. In recent years, a number of cases of fraud have come to light. The FCC is cracking down on fraudulent providers, but they can inconvenience customers. Most recently, an Oklahoma Lifeline Assistance company called Icon was convicted of stealing close to $25 million from the Universal Service Fund which reimburses free government cell phone providers. Icon of course will no longer be providing customers with free government cell phone service.

4 Steps to Picking the Right Provider

How can you avoid dealing with a scam company that is not going to respect you? How do you find a plan which will actually fulfill your needs? Here are 4 steps to choosing the perfect free government cell phone provider.

1. First, determine what your needs are.

Only one free government cell phone is allowed for every household. How many people are in your household, and how many minutes is each of them likely to need each month? Do people in your family prefer to chat using voice or text? Who will you be communicating with, and what kind of long distance needs do you have? Do you need to be able to place international calls to Mexico and other countries, or will domestic minutes be enough? Are you looking for a plan which is 100% free, or are you willing to
pay a little extra to enjoy more voice time or texts? Once you know what your needs are, you can go on to choosing a plan.

2. Compare plans from different providers.

Once you have figured out roughly how many minutes a month you are likely to use, and whether you need more voice minutes or texts, you can cross-compare plans offered by providers you are interested in. While many Lifeline plans are comparable across providers, you may discover that some plans are significantly better than others. Most companies offer only around 250 free minutes, but you may live in a state where 1000 minute plans are available for free. Also make sure you check out Tribal plans if you live on Tribal lands. Tribal plans are typically far superior to ordinary plans!

3. Look up a company’s reputation.

You do not want to deal with a company that already has a shady history. While many fraudulent Lifeline providers such as Icon are pulled off the market, many others are still operating. Some of these companies may have made mistakes and may be making an effort to correct them, but others may be up to no good. Try to choose a provider with a clean record, or a record of improvement. Doing so protects the reputation of the Lifeline Assistance program as a whole, and also protects you. Also make sure the company you are dealing with really is an authorized Lifeline provider! There are companies out there offering “free cell phones for seniors” that are nothing more than scams trying to confuse seniors who are searching for Lifeline.

4. Call up customer service.

This is a smart move to make any time you are going to be dealing with a company on an ongoing basis. Actually take a few minutes to call up a customer service agent and ask them for more information about their plans, billing procedures (where applicable—you may be interested in a subsidized paid plan), and so forth. Try to choose a company with a patient, thorough, knowledgeable and transparent customer service team. That way you will not run into hassles in the future with re-certification or service changes.
The Lifeline Assistance program is rapidly expanding, with service available in many more states and outlying rural areas than ever before. Plans are increasingly competitive, and companies are striving to offer superior service. Taking a few extra minutes to research your options can save you time, hassle and money, and give you access to more free cell phone time and texts!
]]> Get a Smartphone or Android With Your Free Government Plan http://governmentphoneplan.com/free-phone-plan/get-a-smartphone-or-android-with-your-free-government-plan/ Tue, 14 Aug 2018 21:05:46 +0000 http://governmentphoneplan.com/free-phone-plan/?p=46 continue reading]]> Now you can get a free Smartphone or Android with your free government cell phone plan.  That’s right…Everyone uses them.  Standard and flip phones are on the decline as phone users want to be able to do more with their phone. Today Lifeline phone providers are making free smartphones accessible when upgrading your service. Assurance Wireless, however, give all users free Android phone with wireless access a free government smartphone.  These subsidized phones will make it easier for those who are struggling to make ends meet, and help low-income adults who work or getting back to work to manage information more effectively.
Free Government Smartphones
Most Lifeline providers offer Smartphones as a way to give customers as a way to keep up with the growing cellular technology.  Of course, if you purchase your own phone you have more options. The Lifeline program is constantly keeping up with new technology and modes of communication. They are also, now offering low-cost and free internet services.  Smartphones are not only good for making emergency calls, scheduling important appointments.
Smartphones allow you to download apps. Apps can be used to:
▪Organization your information
▪Take Photos and videos
▪Read books and magazines
▪Listen to podcasts
▪Send text messages
▪Send voice messages
▪Online banking and shopping
▪Schedule appointments and set reminders
▪Set up Personal (Facebook) and Business profiles (Linked In)
]]> Don’t Qualify? Here Are Some Low Cost Options http://governmentphoneplan.com/free-phone-plan/dont-qualify-here-are-some-low-cost-options/ Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:19:01 +0000 http://governmentphoneplan.com/free-phone-plan/?p=42 continue reading]]> Virgin Mobile – Virgin Mobile Inner Circle Plan
Virgin Mobile’s Inner Circle Plan is considered as the best unlimited data plan during the opening of the year and the reason is simple: everyone wants to get free data to surf the net on the go. You can keep in touch through social media, answer your emails, check online payments and make online calls 24/7 when you have a free unlimited data plan.

Now before you start switching to Virgin Mobile you have to check out a few important things about their unlimited data plan. First of all, you can’t have this forever. You get your first 6 months of unlimited service for $1 and if you bring your own paid off iPhone to transfer your number to the device. You will only be paying $1 a month and a low fee of $9.99 upfront for the service. After your first 6 months are over, you will be paying for the plan for $50. You might not be getting this service for free at all but still the monthly $1 is still an unbeatable deal.

Virgin Mobile Unlimited Plan Details
$1 per month for 6 months and $50 after
$9.99 upfront fees
Bring your own phone
Unlimited data
Unlimited national minutes
Unlimited messages/nationwide texts
$10 a month international calls
No contract
No long distance charges (domestic and USA)
No roaming charges in the USA
Free voicemail services

The Virgin Mobile Inner Circle plan is only for customers who have a paid off iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus or SE or for customers who upgrade to an iPhone. You may also bring your own unlocked and compatible iPhone.
As great as this plan seems to be, it is not for everyone. First of all, you cannot avail of this plan if you don’t own an iPhone. You may need to pay for more if you want to upgrade your phone and use this unlimited data plan. Also, this is not a lifetime affordable plan. You will be charged $50 after the initial 6 months are over. You may consider checking out other unlimited plans before the 6 month period is over because you are not covered by any contract.

MINT – Best Prepaid Unlimited Data
This is a free prepaid unlimited data plan that will let you choose from small, medium and large plans. You don’t have to work with one kind of free data plan which is exactly what other mobile carrier’s offer. With Mint, you can use a plan that will work best for your lifestyle. Mint plans range from prepaid $108 for 6 months to a very affordable $399 for 12 months! Clearly this is not a free plan and you cannot use this service forever. But where can you get unlimited data plans for half a year for less than $150?

Mint Unlimited Data Plan Details
SMALL
: Bring your own phone
Pay only $15 a month or $45 for 3 months
$1 upfront fees
Free unlimited national text
Free unlimited national calls
With 2GB full speed data
No contract

MEDIUM: 
Bring your own phone
Pay only $20 a month or $60 for 3 months
$1 upfront fees
Free unlimited national calls
Free unlimited national texts
With 5GB full speed data
No contract

LARGE
: Bring your own phone
Pay only $25 a month or $75 for 3 months
$1 upfront fees
Free unlimited national calls
Free unlimited national texts
With 10GB full speed data
No contract

Mint gives you a  choice when it comes to data and you can choose from any plan that will fit your data on the go needs. If you are light on data and uses the web only to check on emails and check social media on the go then the Small plan is the best for you. But if you surf the web, manage orders and emails, watch video and many other online content then the medium to large plan is for you. To find out more about their different plans, check out Mint’s official site to get more information about their versatile personal unlimited everything plans.

Metro PCS – Unlimited Shared Plans

If you and your family is always on the go and you need a data plan that can go anywhere with you then Metro PCS may have the best unlimited shared data plan for you. Metro PCS shared plan is available for 4 lines and best of all, this is under T-Mobile network so you can guarantee good coverage anywhere in the US.

Your family will get up to 35GB of data with this shared service for an unbeatable price of $100 a month. You can add more features to your plan like HDD streaming for $10 a month if you usually watch YouTube videos or high definition content online. You can also stream music from Pandora, Apple Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify.

Metro PCS Shared Plan Details
For a limited time offer only
For $100 a month
$40 upfront
For 4 lines
Bring your own phone
Free unlimited national calls
Free unlimited national texts
Unlimited data
Additional $10 for HD
Free voicemail
No contract

Metro PCS shared lines plan is also available for only 2 lines for $80 a month, 3 lines for $90 a month and 4 lines for $100 a month.
Looking at the unlimited plans that most companies offer, Metro PCS gives you an amazing value for your money. Imagine getting 4 lines for this price? Some carriers will give you $50 for a regular unlimited plan and you need to pay extra $25 for an additional line and will only allow you to connect up to 4 lines. So certainly Metro PCS gives you a better deal for shared plans.

ROK Mobile – Most Affordable Unlimited Data Plan
Possibly the most affordable unlimited data plan that you will ever find is ROK Mobile Unlimited Data Plan at $45 a month. This plan won’t expire even after a year so you won’t need to worry about how long you can keep your unlimited data service. ROK Mobile is under Sprint, one of the largest and most trusted mobile services in the US. It is also the first network that will let you use your old GSM phones and other mobile phones, compatible or not, to get this service.
ROK Unlimited Gigs Plan Details
Unlimited data plan
For $45 a month
Free unlimited data
Free unlimited national calls
Free unlimited national texts
Bring your own device, compatible or not-compatible phones
No contract

This ROK Mobile plan is definitely not free at all but looking at the great value that you are going to get for paying only $45 a month for free everything? This is an unbeatable deal that you cannot afford to lose. Aside from this unlimited plan, you can also take advantage of their family plans or group plans especially when you are looking for a sweet deal that will save you a lot of money.

Sprint Unlimited Data for Hotspot Tethering
Give your friends and family free internet access using your own mobile device with Sprint’s Unlimited Data Plan. This is actually the only base unlimited data plan from Sprint and this offers 10 GB high speed data for high speed mobile hotspot data. Other companies like T-Mobile and Verizon offer very slow unlimited 3G data service for their mobile hotspot data. This service is not yet available for AT&T Unlimited Choice service.

Sprint Unlimited Data Details
Unlimited data for hotspot tethering
Get 10GB high speed data
Base unlimited plans better than other network carriers
No contract
Bring your own phone

This is a good plan to take if you have a group of friends or a family on the go. Simply share your data and everyone gets free internet. However, what if you got people, family members that need more data? Teens can consume a lot of data by streaming videos, anime, movies or downloading content from the web. How about using social media sites all day long? You might use up your allowable data plan in just a few days or even hours if you are not careful!

Sprint – Unlimited Plan – Free for 1 Year
This is a plan that will give you unlimited data and national text and call for a year. This might not be unlimited for life because it is only valid for a year but still this is an unbelievable promo that can save you a lot of money. But you got to act fast too since this is an unlimited offer only from Sprint.

Imagine getting hassle-free access to the web wherever you want to go using Sprint’s Unlimited Plan free for a year. According to the company, you can save up to $900 in the first year compared to getting an unlimited data plan from Verizon.

Sprint Unlimited Plan Details
$0 for a year
$12.00 upfront
Free unlimited data
Free unlimited national calls
Free unlimited texts
Keep your phone and phone number
No activation fee – get $30 savings
No contract

To get the free unlimited plan for a year from Sprint, first you need to confirm your phone eligibility. This will first check if your unlocked phone is eligible to be used on the Sprint network. Once you have received confirmation that your mobile device is eligible, Sprint will ship you a SIM card. Shipping will only take overnight. SIM cards are not for free, you will need to pay $2.99 per card and shipping and handling fees of 10.00. Once you have received your email, activate this and enjoy your unlimited data, calls and texts. Sprint can even help you activate your card and switching your number to their network.

The Sprint Unlimited Plan is certainly a dream come true for many subscribers especially if you need to connect to the web constantly while you are on the go. However, you can’t simply get this plan until you have verified the compatibility of your phone. Another thing you need to consider before you take this plan. But other than this flaw, this Sprint plan is a great deal buster.

Boost Mobile Unlimited GIGS
Imagine paying for only $50 all in for a month to get unlimited data. No data caps, no interruptions and no frills? This is Boost Mobile Unlimited Gigs for $50 a month, an unlimited data, talk and text plan that now includes taxes and fees. Imagine what you can do with unlimited data! You can watch unlimited mobile-optimized videos, play games, and listento music and more using unlimited 4G LTE for almost everything you want to do online.
Aside from the $50 plan, you can also get the $35 per month 6 Gigs of 4G LTE service that also includes taxes and fees. This also has unlimited data, talk and text and Mobile Hotspot service. If you want to enjoy HD content, you can always add $10.00 a month. This will let you watch HD movies, music and play HD games on your phone.

Boost Mobile Unlimited GIGS Plan Details
Pay only $50 a month
No upfront fees
Monthly payment inclusive of taxes and fees
Unlimited data
Unlimited national texts
Unlimited national calls
With mobile-optimized streaming videos, gaming and music
Unlimited 4G LTE for everything else
Get HD content for additional $10 a month
Family plans available
Also available $35 per month with 3 Gigs of 4G LTE
No contract

All Boost Mobile plans come with unlimited music streaming, mobile hotspot, unlimited data, talk and texts with no annual service contracts and inclusive of taxes and fees. A lot of people used Boost Mobile because this carrier offers 99% nationwide coverage so this means you can take your mobile anywhere and get free internet, calls and texts service for a very low price. And if you are a family and you are looking for an affordable group plan, you can choose from Boost Mobile’s Family Line plans with plans that start at $35 a month for the Primary Line plus $30 a month for each additional line.

 

Apply Online Here

 

Source: hotspotsetup.net

]]> Free Cell Phone For Medicare Recipients http://governmentphoneplan.com/free-phone-plan/free-cell-phone-for-medicare-recipients/ Tue, 24 Jul 2018 23:44:36 +0000 http://governmentphoneplan.com/free-phone-plan/?p=40 continue reading]]> Not all Medicare recipients can get a free cell phone as the free phone service is based on income. However, since many Medicare recipients have low income, they will probably qualify for a free cell phone.

If you are already receiving government assistance, then you probably already qualify for the free cell phone program.  This program is offered under Lifeline and covers both cell phone service and landline.  Check under the eligibility section to see if you qualify.

]]> Which free government cell phone companies offer smartphones? http://governmentphoneplan.com/free-phone-plan/which-free-government-cell-phone-companies-offer-smartphones/ Thu, 08 Jun 2017 20:42:17 +0000 http://governmentphoneplan.com/free-phone-plan/?p=1 continue reading]]>

Which free government cell phone companies offer smartphones?

Many people have asked us if smartphones are available. In fact, so many  have asked that question that we decided it was time to get a clear answer and provide that answer here in our FAQ section.

We started by asking the USAC (the organization that governs the free government cell phone program) if companies are required to offer smartphones like the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy. The answer from the USAC was as follows:
“As of right now, there are no requirements that Lifeline phone companies must offer smartphones. However, it is possible that this could change in the future. Please let me know if you have additional questions.”

That was not so helpful, so we began contacting each company to see what phones they were offering and if any of them were in fact “smartphones”.  The bad news: Not all companies offer smartphones, but many of them do. In most cases, the cell phone a customer receives has been randomly selected. That is, you can request a smartphone, but that does not necessarily mean that you will receive one.

The good news: Most companies that do offer smartphones will allow you to upgrade to a smartphone for a small charge. That upgrade may cost you $10 or more, but it will often allow you to get a smartphone.

And just so you know…The smartphones that are available are usually refurbished older phones like, for example, an iPhone 5 or equivalent Android phone.

What is a smartphone?

Lots of companies offer “smartphones,” but the real question that needs to be answered is, “What is a smartphone?”

A smartphone uses one of the following operating systems: IOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry OS.  An easy way to tell is if the phone has the capability to download an app from one of the app stores.  If it does, then it’s a smartphone.

Even more important is to check to see if the phone being offered has the capabilities you want it to have.  For example, if you want to check and answer emails, make sure the phone can do that.  If you want your phone to be able to search google then check to make sure it can.  If you want it to download the latest games like Fortnight…then make sure it can.

So back to the reason of this post…what companies offer smartphones with the free government phone program?  Here are the results of our research. We’ll begin with Safelink Wireless, the biggest name in the Lifeline Assistance business, and work our way down through the smaller companies:

Safelink Wireless

It took some detective work to figure out if Safelink offers smartphones. We found some copy buried in the company’s Terms & Conditions that seemed to indicate that it does, indeed, but we were determined to confirm that information.

After many phone calls and emails, we finally got the definitive word directly from a corporate spokesperson, who said:

“… only the state of California offers smart phones to the approved applicants, while all the other states offer regular phones. You can check further details about SafeLink California program on the link provided above. In addition, the Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) program is not offered to our SafeLink customers yet.”

The simple answer? If you live in California, yes, you can get a smartphone from Safelink. If you live anywhere else, the answer is, unfortunately, no, you cannot get a smartphone.
Info on Safelink Wireless

Assurance Wireless

We found the following information in the Assurance website’s Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use an Android™ smartphone with my Assurance Wireless account?

– Only customers in select areas in California may use approved Android devices with an Assurance Wireless account.

Can I use an iPhone® with an Assurance Wireless account?
– No, the iPhone® data platform cannot be used with Assurance Wireless account.
Info on Assurance Wireless

Budget Mobile

Although Budget does not show any smartphones on its website, it is currently promoting a limited time offer of free Android smartphones for new customers. Our conclusion? Yes, Budget Mobile offers smartphones.  Info on Budget Mobile

Access Wireless

Sometimes it takes a little detective work to determine if a company offers smartphones. For example, although Access Wireless doesn’t overtly mention smartphones on its website, it does show a wide selection of upgrade phones from ZTE, Motorola, Samsung, Alcatel, and other manufacturers.

Anissa from the Access Wireless Help Desk told us, “Usually the initial phone provided is a smartphone.” Info on Access Wireless

Life Wireless

The good folks at Life Wireless answered our inquiry with this message:
“We do offer smartphones, they are a a $45 charge.For further questions or concerns please contact our customer service department by dialing 1-888-543-3620. Our operating hours are to 8 am to 10pm Est Monday-Friday and 8 am to 8 pm weekends.”.  Info on Life Wireless

ReachOut Wireless

Sorry Reachout customers, but the company seems to be on the way out.

True Wireless

Yes, True Wireless offers iPhone 4s and Vooz smartphones. You can see the entire selection of smartphones here.  Info on True Wireless

Q Link Wireless

Q Link Wireless skyrocketed in growth in the last year and is now one of the largest free government cell phone providers. It serves Lifeline customers in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

We assume that its smartphone policy is one of the primary reasons for its sudden success.

Apply for Q Link Wireless HERE

The free phones Q Link Wireless provides depend upon availability, and models shipped may vary. Q Link Wireless is only shipping smartphones, so you’ll be able to take full advantage of the latest calling features, picture messaging, the ability to connect your phone to Wi-Fi, and any available data options!

Once we’ve approved your application and your order status changes to “shipped with tracking,” or if you’ve already received your phone, you can find your phone’s model number by logging into your My Q Link account.

On another page, the company says:
Q Link Wireless differs from other Lifeline providers because we provide each new subscriber with a high-quality smartphone capable of connecting to Wi-Fi for internet access. Our customers can access email, download apps, play games, and surf the web. Plus we offer the MOST minutes and UNLIMITED texting.

Tag Mobile

You can bring your own smartphone, and they do offer smartphones, but since phones are assigned randomly to customers, they cannot assure that you’ll receive a smartphone.
Info on Tag Mobile

Terracom Wireless

We were able to live online chat with a Terracom Wireless representative who told us
Customer Service Rep: Whenever you apply for the services the first phone is always a random selected refurbished phone. We have upgrade options as well. for a small additional fee depending on which phone you want.

Assist Wireless

Yes, Assist Wireless offers smartphones. We found the following information on the company’s website…

You can upgrade your cell phone anytime you like. Looking for a data phone? We got it. Looking for a smartphone? We have one for you. Just choose the cell phone that best fits your needs and place it in the shopping cart. And remember, every one of these upgraded models with work with your Lifeline cell phone service plan.

Want to upgrade your cell phone to something with more functionality? No problem. Assist Wireless offers a range of brick phones, flip phones, data phones and smartphones. All of these phones will work with your Lifeline cell service plan. Just pick the one of the Lifeline cell phones that fits your needs.

Yourtel Wireless

(Now part of Terracom Wireless. See listing above.)

StandUp Wireless

One of the things we love about writing about the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program is that we learn something new every day. For example, when we asked our StandUp Wireless phone representative if the company offered smartphones, we learned (a) The company operates on several different national telephone networks (T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint, for example) and (b) they distribute different cell phones for each network.

Therefore, although the rep could confirm that new customers may receive smartphones, the assignment of phones is entirely random. So you may or may not receive a smart device. However, the phones are available to all customers as an upgrade. How much does that upgrade cost? Well, that also varies depending on the national network to which you are assigned. The example the rep gave was a $45 price for smartphone that’s compatible with the T-Mobile network. She also indicated that phones compatible with other networks vary in price.

EnTouch

The EnTouch website implies that the company offers smartphones to its Lifeline Assistance customers.

Here is what their website says…
We provide a free full featured, wireless cell phone. With the phone and Lifeline phone service you will be able to: call nationally, text photos, check email and go to websites. You can also bring a smartphone of your own choosing to our program.

When we follow up with EnTouch directly, they told us that “Typically you are signed up with a non smartphone. We do have a Bring Your Own Device program. Once you are signed up, we would be able to let you know the specifications.”

The company’s website clarifies that statement by saying, “A database check will determine if the mobile device is available for activation* on the network. This takes a minute or less.”

In other words, if you have an inactive smartphone, you may be able to use it on an enTouch Lifeline free government cell phone account. But not all cell phones are compatible with the enTouch system. You will need to give them the IMEI serial number (you can access this under setting, device) so they can check if your phone is compatible.

 

US Connect

We reached out to US Connect and it’s customer service department sent us an email that said, “Thank you for contacting US Connect, currently we do not offer smartphones.” So if you really want a smartphone, you need to look elsewhere on this list.  Info on US Connect

SafetyNet Wireless/Amerimex

You really have to scour SafetyNet’s website to determine if it offers smartphones. We finally found the information buried deep its Terms & Conditions.”

Free handsets provided by SafetyNet Wireless may be refurbished and will be capable of texting as well as making voice calls. Free handsets are not data capable; however, customer may purchase and upgrade to a data capable handset. The free refurbished handsets provided by SafetyNet Wireless are industry standard grade “A/B”.

Interestingly, this upgrade information was found on SafetyNet’s California website, but is not included in the Terms & Conditions for any other states.  Info on SafetyNet Wireless

Cintex Wireless

We can’t say that Cintex does not offer smartphones, but it certainly doesn’t offer many of them. In fact, it currently offers only one Huawei smartphone model. And it’s not cheap. Our Cintex phone representative couldn’t tell us which Huawei smart model it was, but did reveal that upgrading to that phone will set you back $75.99.
Not cheap.  Info on Cintex Wireless

Wireless for Hope/Easy Wireless

Wireless for Hope, which does business as Easy Wireless, lists the following information on its website’s FAQs:

Can I use an Android™ -powered phone or an i-Phone™ with an Easy Wireless account?
– Yes! Easy Wireless offers both Android powered and iPhone handsets. Please see our phone section for a catalog of available phones.

Why did I get a different phone than my friend?/ Why did I get a different phone than the one pictured on the Easy Wireless website?
– Easy Wireless phone models are dependent upon availability, and models shipped could vary. Easy makes every effort to ensure each phone given to the customer is the best model available. Easy distributes used or refurbished A and B stock phones only. Pictures can be sent upon request. Easy Wireless also has New, Used, and Refurbished models for purchase.

TruConnect

We dug deep into the TruConnect website and found this comment:
We offer a variety of mobile broadband devices and cheap mobile phones including Moxee and BLU prepaid phones, 4g lte smartphones, Novatel, Samsung, D-Link, Unimax 4g lte wifi hotspot.

OUR SUMMARY:

Offers smartphones to all new customers: Q Link
Offer smartphones to some customers: Safelink Wireless, Assist Wireless, Assurance (California only), Budget Wireless, Access Wireless, Life Wireless, SafetyNet Wireless, True Wireless, Tag Wireless, Terracom Wireless, EnTouch Wireless (California only), Wireless For Hope (dba Easy Wireless), StandUp Wireless, Cintex Wireless
Does NOT offer smartphones: US Connect

In conclusion, it’s clear that all but one of the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone companies offer smartphones. Some of the companies make them randomly available to new customers, but all the companies that offer them make them available as upgrades for an additional charge.

Make sure you know what you’re getting into when you upgrade to a “smart” phone, because not all smartphones were created equal. Some have far more capabilities than others and it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re getting exactly the phone you need before you agree to pay for that upgrade.

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