How many free government cell phones are out there? You’ve probably read numbers that range from as few as five million to as many as twenty million. What’s the truth? We present the first in-depth analysis of the programs phone providers and subscriber counts, based upon the government’s own data.
The free government cell phone business is a very interesting niche market. Interesting not just because the business is considered to be controversial, but also because some smaller companies brag that they’re the largest in the business, while other larger companies often choose to downplay their success in order to avoid that controversy.
That’s made it difficult to determine who the biggest free government cell phone companies really are, how much they’re paid by the government’s lifeline Assistance program (the Universal Service Administrative Company, to be specific), and where they rank in terms of size.
In order to separate truth from fiction, FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net decided to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the latest government numbers to come up with the first truly accurate look at the who’s who and what’s what in the Lifeline Assistance industry. Our research project reveals who the biggest players are and provides the first accurate count of each company’s free government cell phone customers.
A note on our methodology: The “Disbursements” column in the chart (below) represents the total disbursements from Lifeline to the carrier in calendar year 2013 (source USAC.org). To calculate the next column, “Average Number of Subscribers,” we divided “Total Disbursements” by 12 months and then again by $9.25 (the average monthly Lifeline payment per account). The results indicate not a total count as of December 2013, but the average number of subscribers per month over the year.
In addition, we did not include companies that provide a Lifeline discount (generally $9.25 a month) to customers of regularly-priced landline and cell phone plans. We don’t have an exact count for those subscribers but they number in the millions. This is why our Total Disbursements number is so much lower than the generally accepted $1.8 – $2.0 billion annual price tag of Lifeline Assistance program.
CARRIER | Total Disbursements | Avg subs in 2013 |
---|---|---|
Safelink Wireless | $421,400,404 | 3,796,400 |
Assurance Wireless | $307,986,200 | 2,774,650 |
Budget Mobile | $83,372,705 | 751,105 |
Life Wireless | $79,737,240 | 718,354 |
ReachOut Wireless | $77,323,992 | 696,613 |
True Wireless | $26,956,375 | 242,850 |
Tag Mobile | $26,269,787 | 236,665 |
Terracom Wireless | $22,731,495 | 204,788 |
Assist Wireless | $21,065,788 | 189,782 |
Yourtel Wireless | $16,132,123 | 145,334 |
StandUp Wireless | $15,427,609 | 138,987 |
Care Wireless | $10,111,093 | 91,091 |
EnTouch | $7,396,197 | 66,632 |
Alaska Communications | $4,185,148 | 37,704 |
i-Wireless (Cinn Bell) | $4,168,857 | 37,557 |
US Connect | $3,540,629 | 31,898 |
Amerimex | $2,134,580 | 19,230 |
Cintex Wireless | $1,925,427 | 17,346 |
Wireless for Hope | $639,857 | 5,764 |
TOTALS | $1,082,976,109 | 10,202,752 |
* Sister companies that, if combined, would vault the resulting entity into sixth place on the list.
A few observations about the above chart:
While there are far more than 17 competitors in the Lifeline free government cell phone business, the companies we haven’t listed are so small that excluding them makes very little difference to the total number of subscribers.
Our biggest surprise: The numbers for ReachOut Wireless. Most “experts” say that ReachOut is the third largest free government cell phone company. (Editor’s note: We’ve even been guilty of saying it in the past.) But our analysis clearly shows that ReachOut only ranks number five.
In conclusion: Our analysis shows that there were approximately 10 million free government cell phone users at the end of 2013. While that’s far fewer than most of the “expert” estimates, it is estimated that nearly 30 million Americans currently qualify for the program.
In other words, the business isn’t nearly as large as some of its critics say it is, but there’s a lot more potential business out there and a lot of room for growth.
sam says
I have q link i get terrible reception can I switch to a different provider?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Absolutely. Here’s an article that tells you exactly how to make the switch:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Mishondra Abu says
Can I upgrade my phone to an iPhone 10?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Impossible for us to answer that question, Mishondra, because we don’t know who your service provider is. It’s very doubtful that any service provider offers the latest, greatest models, though. The best way to find out what’s available is to check your service provider’s website or to speak to customer service by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone.
Cola~ says
I would like to pick the service that best fits my needs as opposed to hoping from services which are all available for my benefit.
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s what we urge every one of our readers to do, Cola. Each of the plans is slightly different in terms of how you qualify, where it’s available, number of minutes and texts, and whether there’s a data plan included (or available as an add-on). It pays to be an informed consumer.
Here is where you can find all the companies and free government cell phone plans in your state. We urge you (and all our other readers) to check them all out to find the one that best fits your needs:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Mary Harris says
I have applied for SafeLink twice now. I sent them proof of everything they asked for. I looked up to find the result of my application. I was REJECTED for a free phone. Even though I meet all the qualifications for a free phone. I called the phone number provided, spoke to someone in India. They looked up my application and informed me that it was REJECTED. I asked why and she replied she didn’t have that info just that I was rejected. I have applied twice and twice rejected. I would appreciate a letter explaining just why I was rejected, when the proof I sent shows that I should qualify. Enrollment ID: 22695652
Free Government Cell Phones says
There are many people like you, Mary, who somehow slip through the cracks. It’s always possible that someone else has applied for a phone using your address. You should call Safelink back again (sorry, we know how painful that can be) and ask for a specific reason you were rejected. If the first person you speak to doesn’t give you the info you want, demand to speak to a supervisor. You deserve an answer to your question or the problem will never be solved.
Bobby Dunn says
Mary Harris,, please don’t feel bad,,, it’s not your fault that customer service people are so damn rude. i the other night i was on the phone with viaero wireless for over 45 minutes and i trying to ask them about paid phone service and i was trying to ask the rude customer service woman to tell me what is the model number to their iPhone 8 the 256 gb cell phones and the rude customer service person said that’s personal information. after yelling and screaming at her for over 45 minutes,, she was NO help at all,,, i demanded i wanted to talk to a supervisor and there that to was another 15 to 20 minutes of screaming of me DEMANDING i to get a supervisor. thank god for http://www.yelp.com the site where people can post customer reviews. i strongly recommend that you get on line and post some horrible customer reviews about safe link and all the b.s. runaround that they are giving you. by the way when i finally did get the supervisor on the line,, she helped me out in less than 3 minutes.
Maria Vasquez says
New info om free government phones.
John winnie says
I am on food stamps and have a lot of medical problems. I’m in the process for filling for disability. I’m on Medicaid
John winnie says
How do I go about getting a free phone
Stuart crazybull says
I’m disabled,receive s.s.d.i. an food stamps. I’d like to sign up for a free Obama phone but don’t know how. Please help. Thanks
Shannon says
I just got approved for ssi and need a phone number it’s very important to me that I get this. Please help me i have a phone from boost that isnt connected. Can i get a new phone?
Pam says
Kroger sucks at selling these phones!!! They do not know how to handle any of the so-called free Obama junk – if Obama would stop giving things away to people who could get off their dead ass and work the country would be in a much better place!!!!;
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
The phone started under G.W. Bush:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/obama-phone
We could not help but notice while you are denigrating the program, you’ve also gone to Kroger’s to try and get one for yourself.
Angie says
Thank you. For all of us who are not lazy bums, or sitting on our dead asses, for those of us who are truly disabled! I have Lupus and connective tissue diseases. Many I never heard of such as Raynauds or Sjorgens. Think before you open your mouth people. Everyday is a struggle, just to get up in the morning. You have no idea so please don’t loop everyone into one net! Those of us who truly are disabled need all the help we can get due to limited income. Trust me, I worked till I couldn’t work anymore. Even then I fought it by being a neurotic cleaner, going out in the sun to lay in the pool, etc…
GENE says
I TOTALLY AGREE.PULL YOUR WEIGHT
Bobby Dunn says
YOU ARE VERY SARCASTIC AND NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR YOUR CRAP.
Claire stoop says
I am interested in a free phone I am on Medicare my husband died at the va in October so I am now alone
JOSEPH ROMAGNANO says
IFYOU OUR ON MEDICARE YOU CAN GO TO THE SAFELINK SITE FILL FORMS PROFF OF YOUR MEDICARE, AFTER THAT VERIFYS THEY WILL SEND YOU A PHONE.
IF YOUR HUSBAND WAS A DISABLE VET, SEE A DAV or VSO REP THEY CAN HELP
ronny says
Need any company
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s where you can find all the free government cell phone companies in your state, Ronny:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
You really shouldn’t settle for just “any” company. There are lots of different plans with different minutes, texts and even data plans. Check them all out to find the one that works best for you.
therese says
I wasted my time with safe link some how they keep cancelling my phone for no reason no- one in my house has life line but they keep saying there is . when they cancelled out the first time because i forgot to renew my original application they must not have notified the people at National life line accountability data base letting them know that they cancelled so it keeps coming up as someone having a phone in my home, and they don’t. they couldn’t even tell me who?? It was me in the past.The phone co is suppose to notify them when ever some one quits or switches there service, or if they cancel your account because they don’t know what the heck there doing … they have lousy customer service that can’t even speak clear english.I tried calling everybody I could think of and no one could help me to this day I do not have a gov cell phone and I am eligable. So the system has a lot of flaws that need to be addressed.
Sean Murray says
My lifeline phone was lost or stolen. How do I find out who the provider is so that I my terminate that lifeline and apply for another?
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
There is no way to find out. You have to just remember.
Pam souza says
Which cell phone companies offer Verizon phones in California or Verizon service
Don Webb says
I got one of their free 9.99 phones on GSN system, doesn’t work in my verison area need a CDMA phone has no sid card to work on Verison, safe link taking their sweet time replacing phone probably loose my 1st months time. any phone you look at should Have a C after the model number for Verison
A DOUCET says
would like news or new articles regarding the Free Government Cell Phones
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
You can follow our articles on our news page:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/news
Joe doe says
I send in my information to Terra com about 3 month ago and I have not receive my minutes yet I will like to know what’s going on with that?
Joyce Bowen says
Budget mobile sucks ! There phones do not work 90 percent of the time. They are so—– flusterating. Their phones are so bad they are hardly usable. If you take them back to them they just replace it with another unusable phone . what can you do ? can I get an other company or what? Why have something that never work right. My friend has the same phone and wants to stomp on it, so do I. The are so bad,why have something that doesn’t work? Joyce Bowen
antonio hidalgo says
some times mi phone get locked can i aply for another one…
Joe doe says
Yes thought another company
Clarice Johnson says
What are the qualifications of becoming a distributor of these Free Cell Phones?
Free Government Cell Phones says
This site may hold the answer for you:
http://www.usac.org/li/
Keith T. says
Have worked for LIFE Wireless for 4 years and did not know that we were only #4. Maybe I should switch jobs???
Bill Wright says
Assurance is great if you don’t have any problems. I tried to get a touch screen phone but none available. Can you change your company?
Cheryl Winter says
I’ve had my lifeline service through Assurance Wireless since 12/2013. A few days ago I tried calling for some assistance and the greeting that responded identified being Assurance and then immediately stated, “I do not recognize your phone number, GOODBYE.” Then the Click to hangup.
After this incident a friend told me that Assurance was no longer in business or had sold out to another company. Is this true?
I have also referred 5 or 6 people to Assurance, they filled out the application I gave them or applied on line. Not one of them has ever heard back from this company. Its amazing that you show them as being #2 as a provider with this kind of customer service, wouldn’t you say?
Just curious!!!
Respectfully,
Cheryl Winter
Cherianne says
A friend of mine here in Michigan has had an Assurance phone for the past 3 yrs that I have known him for and still has it.
Rick Shannon says
I desperately need a phone. Ive got a Broken arm, and wrist. Ive exhaudted my unemployment funds, and still cant work
Connie krause says
Can i get a new phone
Jeff Ansted says
Looks like you left off American Broadband & Telecommunications, American Assistance service. They have over 70K users.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Thanks for writing Jeff. I see your American Assistance page here:
http://www.ambt.net/home-solutions/telephone/american-assistance.aspx
Can you please tell us which states you serve?
CHRISTOPHER STIFFLER says
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET A FREE GOVERMENT PHONE!
Free Government Cell Phones says
They are free.
Keith T. says
0.00 my friend. Key word….FREE. Easier if on government assistant program.