Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is a telephone service subsidized by the federal Lifeline Assistance program, a government benefit program supported by the federal Universal Service Fund. The service provides to low-income eligible people a free phone,[1][2] free monthly data, unlimited texting, and free monthly minutes. Assurance Wireless users do not receive a bill, are not required to sign a contract, and do not pay activation fees or recurring fees.[3] Founded in 2009, Assurance Wireless has used the T-Mobile network for coverage since 2020.[4]
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry |
|
| Founded | December 31, 2009 Warren, New Jersey, United States |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Area served |
|
| Products |
|
Number of employees | 500 (2009) |
| Parent | T-Mobile US |
| Website | assurancewireless |
According to Hotspot Setup, "the two largest providers of free mobile phones are Safelink Wireless and Assurance Wireless, which are available in more states than other providers."[5] Assurance Wireless users may bring their own unlocked device – they are not required to use an Assurance issued wireless phone.[6] If a $59.99 replacement phone is purchased from Assurance, the user will have a limited choice of model.
Eligibility edit
By meeting certain income requirements or by qualifying for certain federal and/or state assistance programs, US citizens are entitled to enroll for the free phone and monthly service. One phone per household is allowed and at least one call or text per 30 day period with the phone is required to maintain service. As of December 2020, Assurance Wireless service is available to qualifying residents of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.[7]
Ownership edit
Since April 2020, the Assurance Wireless brand has been under the T-Mobile family.[4] This was the result of the merger of Sprint Corporation and T-Mobile US was officially completed,[8] and after Virgin Mobile USA was officially shut down and folded into Boost Mobile. An official statement was sent to all customers July 14, 2020 stating that all customers would continue to have the same minutes, data, and service, but now on the T-Mobile network.
In 2019 before the merger, T-Mobile President Mike Sievert said in a statement to USA Today, "The digital divide is real and we want to help eliminate it. We have pledged that the new T-Mobile will maintain the existing T-Mobile and Sprint Lifeline program throughout the country indefinitely, barring fundamental changes to today's program."[9]
Pre-installed software edit
In 2019, it was discovered that cell phones being sold by Assurance Wireless came with unremovable Chinese malware preinstalled.[10][11][12]
References edit
- ^ "User Guides for Lifeline Phones". AssuranceWireless. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ "Unlocking Your Phone". Assurance Wireless. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ "Assurance Wireless Homepage". AssuranceWireless. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
- ^ a b "Lifeline Program". T-Mobile. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ "The 14 Best Free Government Cell Phones 2021". Hotspot Setup. July 25, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
- ^ Scalzi, John (July 13, 2022). "Best Ways To Get Assurance Wireless Government Phone". Tips Pec. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ "Check the Lifeline Program Availability by State".
- ^ "T-Mobile and Sprint's merger is officially complete". Tmo News. April 1, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ "T-Mobile promises to support low-income Lifeline program 'indefinitely' if merger approved". USA TODAY. March 11, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Virgin's subsidized smartphones come with unremovable Chinese malware". Boing Boing. January 10, 2020. from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ Cimpanu, Catalin. "Unremovable malware found preinstalled on low-end smartphone sold in the US". ZDNet. from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ Goodin, Dan (January 9, 2020). "US Government-funded Android phones come preinstalled with unremovable malware". Ars Technica. from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
External links edit
Official website