We always say the more the merrier when it comes to competition in the free government cell phone business. We’ve often editorialized that an increase in the number of competitors would force everyone in the Lifeline Assistance business to offer their customers more — more services, more minutes, more texts, more of everything.
Now it’s proving to be true as Safelink Wireless and Assurance Wireless, the two biggest names in the free government cell phone business, attempt to attract more customers by offering bonus minutes and texts to new customers.
Safelink, number one in the business, now makes the following offer:
Assurance Wireless, number two in the business, ups the ante by offering even more:
And for the first time in the history of the free government cell phone business, we see one company comparing its plan to competitors’ plans.
We think this is just the beginning of a vicious dogfight between Lifeline Assistance companies. And this can only be good for Lifeline customers as the competition for their business heats up. We’ll undoubtedly see more companies making better offers by offering more minutes, more texts, and more services for free.
For example, AT&T Mobility (Alaska only) and several local Alaska phone companies are already offering 1200 anytime minutes and national long distance for just $1 per month. In Oklahoma, several companies are already offering 750 voice minutes and 1000 texts per month for just $1. AirFire, a Wisconsin-only cell phone company is offering 500 voice minutes and 500 texts every month for free. And Dart, an Oklahoma-only cell phone company, is now offering unlimited talk for just $1 per month.
When the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program originated a few years back, the standard plan offered by every competitor was 250 free voice minutes. That gradually expanded to 250 voice minutes OR 250 texts and that soon increased to 250 voice minutes AND 250 texts.
Now the big boys are feeling the pressure and offering more services. They’re in a strange business where they can’t attract new customers by cutting prices (because it’s impossible to charge less than zero), so the only alternative is to offer them more minutes, more texts and more services for free.
As you can see in the Assurance chart, Safelink now offers new customers 250 voice minutes and 1000 texts per month, and Assurance is offering 250 voice minutes and unlimited texts.
This is all terrific news for low income Americans struggling to get by in today’s shaky economy.
Johanna Quevedo says
I want to add more minutes on the phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
You don’t say who your service provider is, but most of them offer additional minutes on their websites. Check that first. If your free government cell phone company doesn’t offer them, here’s an article that tells you another way to get additional minutes:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/buy-airtime-for-lifeline-phones-through-ready-wireless-new-airfair
Marcy says
I need an iPhone because I can’t work android which company offers an iPhone or can I just get a Sim card because I have an older iPhone that I could use
Free Government Cell Phones says
Phones available vary all the time, Marcy. What’s available today may not be available tomorrow. You’ll need to either check the companies’ websites or contact their customer service departments.
Terrence simmons says
Great service
Free Government Cell Phones says
Great comment.
Maria Marzan says
How can I get a free cell phone up grade. I am in the Manhattan area in the east 90’s streets. Is there a cell phone store I can go to for this, when I signed for the small cell phone I have know, I was told I would get a bigger more modern touch screen cell phone.
Zoann Smith says
I need a free government free cell phone. I am not able to pay those other cell phones bill
Thomas Barlow says
I am severely disabled and could really benefit from getting one of these phones as I am home alone most of the time! Thank You
Krissy says
Thomas Barlow,Wow I can relate!!! I’m alwayz home alone too n I have children but my daughter Heaven Rain age 7 she loves to spend a lot of time with our family n my son Johnny age 11 he lives with his dad n my Step-daughter Kelsi spends time with her family during the summer so if the kids aren’t with family they’re in school:( I love having them around but anyway I’m disabled n alwayz alone n I’m on a fixed income SSI n it would help me if I could get a free phone,it would really help not just financially but I would also feel safer:) I wish u all the best:) I hope u got the phone u needed:) I apologize for message blabbling:) So did u ever get the phone u needed?? I hope everything is going well for u,I know what its like being severely disabled and being all alone so if you ever want someone to talk to let me know I hope you got your phone I got one of those free phones but they gave me a broken one so now I got to try to get another one and it takes so long for it to come in the mail but there are stands out there where you can get them and they can activate it for you right there and hand you the phone but anyway I hope that you got your phone and I hope everything’s going well for you!!! Sending love n prayers ur friend Krissy Adkins
peggy hilbourn says
I want you give me free cellphones please I need ..I dont have device
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
Gosh, we’re trying. But we can’t make you read this website.
kentuckywoman2 says
Competition is a good and healthy thing. Sadly, too many companies get so big that they quash the competition. That being said, between Safelink and Assurance Wireless, there are good and bad points for each.
I have had not one, not two, but THREE bad experiences with Assurance Wireless. Their phones are extremely cheap and do not work. They have a scam going in that when you return your phone, the warehouse conveniently “loses” them, and then Assurance makes you pay 4 times the worth of the phone in order to restore service. And you get the same shitty phone that constantly drops calls and basically can’t be used. So, while it’s nice to get 1000 minutes, it’s a worthless offer because you can’t make phone calls with their shoddy equipment.
Safelink is a subsidiary of TracPhone. Their phones are much better quality and you can actually make and receive calls, which is the point. However, they do charge more. It’s one minute each time a call connects, and then another minute if the call goes at least 6 sec. So you can make one call for 30 sec and you will be charged 2 minutes. But, again, the calls go through, rarely drop, and most of the time the quality of the call is at least average.
The only advantage Assurance Wireless has over Safelink is that with Assurance Wireless, you can manage your account online. You can go to their website and track your calls, look at your account, etc. Safelink provides NO online customer support for their customers whatsoever. Neither company provides the best phone customer service, either. Assurance Wireless and Safelink both use OFFSHORE customer service – which means you won’t be talking to someone who lives in the U.S. or can speak very good English. If you’re unlucky enough to reach someone in the Philippines, you’ll likely get someone who is rude and argumentative, as well.
Between the two, I’ve had much better luck with Safelink. Even though they provide no online account management services, overall their quality of phones as well as the ability to actually make calls is well above that of Assurance Wireless.
Mark says
That’s nice. It would be better if they actually sent a phone. After seven months of emails and I still don’t have a phone yet!
Montel Paige says
If you do not have the phone after several months, then I say RUN do not walk to a different company!
Faye Pinkney says
I’m already with Assurance Wireless but my 250 free minutes always run out before the next month. I never use the texts as I don’t text. Is there any other option for current users to get additional free minutes? Even the $5 plan is a burden on the small pension I receive. Thanks!
Free Government Cell Phones says
For $5 you’ll get 500 voice and 500 texts. There are other higher plans too. Here’s some info:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers/assurance-wireless
Montel Paige says
I know this sounds simple and silly, but I tell people TO TEXT MORE!! We all can’t afford to pay more and they are giving you FREE texts, so it is much simpler to text than to pay more monies!
bing says
Airfire in WI is shutting down in the next couple weeks ..https://www.airfiremobile.com/