Perhaps it was just not meant to be. Assurance Wireless and Access Wireless, two of the biggest names in the Lifeline free government cell phone business, have quietly called off their merger talks and will continue to serve the Lifeline business independently.
We say they quietly because the “news” that Sprint’s Assurance Wireless brand would not join forces with Kroger’s i-wireless Access Wireless brand was released very quietly all the way back in May of this year, but only now is it getting widespread coverage. Let’s just say that neither company made as much noise about ending the talks as they made about beginning them.
“Sprint and i-wireless made the mutual decision to terminate the joint venture agreement and will instead continue to operate as stand-alone Lifeline service providers,” Sprint told FierceWireless.com.
How times change. Back in May 2016, Assurance proposed to Access and Access accepted. It was going to be the wedding of the year in the Lifeline free government cell phone business, and would have combined Lifeline’s second and third largest service providers into a juggernaut that would have challenged industry leader Safelink Wireless.
As FierceWireless.com reported, “”Under the agreement, Sprint would have owned 70% of the new business, which would have operated under the name i-wireless. I-wireless was to own the remaining 30%, and i-wireless founder and CEO Paul McAleese was to lead the combined business, which would have operated on Sprint’s network.” (Yes, this may be what’s known as “inside baseball” because it’s of far more interest to those in the Lifeline industry than to its customers, but we’re including it because we think it’s important that our readers understand the ins-and-outs of the business that has become so important in their lives.)
So now that the wedding is off and Assurance and Access have left each other standing at the altar, what happens to the two companies? Well, we expect them to continue offering the same plans they currently offer instead of having the combined strength that would have allowed them to offer even better plans.
For example, Assurance Wireless currently offers its free government cell phone customers a Android smartphones, 350 free minutes, unlimited free texts and 500 MB of free data each month. In California, it offers customers unlimited talk and text plus 500MD data.
Access Wireless currently offers free Android smartphones, 100-750 minutes and unlimited texts per month, plus 50-200MB data (and in California the offer is 1000 minutes or texts plus 200MB data).
The decision to walk away from the deal adds to the turmoil that has hit the Lifeline industry in recent years. ReachOut Wireless and TotalCall Mobile completely exited the Lifeline business. Others that dropped out of the business include Care Wireless and Alaska Communications. The YourTel Wireless name disappeared after a merger with TerraCom Wireless.
We are always big cheerleaders for more competition in the Lifeline industry, so we greet this announcement with hope. More companies always means more competition and more competition means more benefits for our readers.
Rickey Hairston says
I need a phone i am at the age of 70yrs
Free Government Cell Phones says
Click around this website for a few minutes and you’ll quickly learn exactly what you need to do.
Margorie Starks says
Lifeline sevice really.been a custom with you all for several years. I am a 71 year old lady. Got cut office for no reasons. Because you all didnt do your job to check the truth. You ll said I had another life line with someone else and I didn’t .About a year ago I got a computer off the block and founded out I couldn’t have two lifeline program and took it back to them and they told me they didn’t want it back. Never took it out of the box to get it turned on. And when you all said I had another lifeline I told you all I didn’t. I even call the people I got it from they said I were not in their system and never been. So you all tell me what going on. I am upset about it because my doctor always have checked on me through my phone. Now no phone because of you all didnt check the truth. Life line right I see how you all care. If I died today I wonder if you all care. Attorney would love to have this case. Especially when someone life is on line with life line phone. If someon else reading this comment you with be without. Thank you life line
Free Government Cell Phones says
A couple comments, Marjorie. First, we’re very sorry for the problems you’ve been having. Second, “we” are not your problem. This is an independent informational website and we are NOT affiliated with any Lifeline company in any way. That means we cannot tell you what’s going on with your account. But if you’ve been cancelled by both companies, that should mean that you have no active account. If that’s the case, you can always re-enroll with any company at any time.
Give it a try and see what happens. And please keep us updated because our readers would love to know.
George Sorters says
My Access wireless phone has been shut down.
Why?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not Access, George, so we have no idea. You need to contact that company’s customer service team.
Lynn Brown says
I hope your service is good
Free Government Cell Phones says
“We” don’t have any service. This is an independent informational website.
Kimberly d Williamson says
Which service is better assurance or access? Who’s got the best customer service and offer the best phones? Im on food stamps and Medicaid so I know I’ll be approved but after hours of research I’m still unsure which one to go through. There’s not really a customer website that gives reviews of either company. I would love to went through qlink but it’s not available North Carolina.
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s impossible for us to tell you which one is better, Kimberly. There are just too many variables. The one that’s better for you might not be better for your next door neighbor.
Simeon says
I really need a apple phone like the iphone 11 or 10 or lower for my business if you can please buy me one and send it to me contect me and I will send you the address.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Very generous of you to make us this kind offer, Simeon, but our budget will not allow the purchase you suggest.
Lynn Brown says
Please let me know what you need to apply
Cory Gayton says
I somehow have locked myself out of my phone how do I reset or gain access to my phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact your service provider’s customer service team.
simeon says
can I please get a iphone 11 mac pro
Free Government Cell Phones says
Probably not.
Simeon says
just disable the phone and power it out that will workS
Debra Stanley says
I really need to come back to assurance wireless. I have cancer no car and no phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
What do you mean when you say “I really need to come back.” Were you formerly with Assurance and then switched to another company?
Kathryn Pratts says
My phone been broken but still saying I have it connected n I haven’t used it in two months . I’m trying to get a hold of customer service and can’t even get through I tried putting in my phone number to it and it still says it’s incorrect but I am for sure it’s not and I’m trying to disconnect it so I can get a new one today . . What should I do ????
Free Government Cell Phones says
The rules of the Lifeline program say that you account will automatically be cancelled if your phone goes unused for 30 days. In other words, we would not be surprised if your account has been cancelled since you haven’t used it in two months. If that’s the case, you should be free to enroll with any Lifeline provider in your state. Here’s where you can find a list of all of them:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
kenneth sahr says
i need a phone soon. how do i get one? i have done safelik and had no luck with them.
Free Government Cell Phones says
If you can’t get what you want from one service provider, try enrolling with one of the other service providers in your state. You can find them all at this link:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
michael says
I would like to apply for a free cellphone where should I go.would like a anser
Free Government Cell Phones says
If you qualify, you can enroll with any of the companies listed on this page. Click around to find out about all the plans available to find the one that fits your needs best, then contact that company using the contact info provided in each company listing.
Clyde howard says
How do i sign up for a free government phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s what this website is all about, Clyde. Here’s where you can find all the plans available in your state. Check them all out to find the one that fits your needs best, then enroll by using the contact info we provide on each service provider’s page:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
John Bandalos says
I’m trying to get my friend a free, cell phone. He has no income. He’s 73 and lives in a homeless shelter.
Does it sound like he qualifies. He’s not eligible for any government aid as he’s not an American citizen.
I need help in seeing if he qualifies. He’s disabled and has renal dialysis 3 times a week.
Any help will be very appreciated. He needs a phone to be able to change his citizenship status. He’s like in a negative spiral downward. He’s not an addict or alcoholic. I just want to help him. thanks in advance.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We know of no requirements that an applicant must be an American citizen. Here’s where you can check all the ways he can become eligible:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
If he has no income, he will need to participate in one of the other government assistance programs listed. Oddly, the FCC and USAC offer no way to participate based on income in you have NO income. Unfortunately, there is no way to prove that you receive no income. It’s a strange gap in the program that the USAC says it is currently working on.
Michele Carnell says
I can not talk to anyone that I could understand. I had assurance yrs ago in like 2014. My phone is the exact same one my elderly buddy has (he’s 75 years old, a Vietnam Vet that served 2tours in Nam. United States Marine Corp. He is legally blind and can NOT use these new smart phones because he has to go by feel and he can’t see the buttons to slide. His government phone is through Access wireless. How can he switch his number to my old phone? I haven’t used the phone in years. The phones are identical.
Sincerely,
Michele
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not all cell phones are compatible with all cell networks, Michele. So you’ll need to use your buddy’s free government cell phone to call 6-1-1. That will connect you with customer service and they can answer your question or transfer you to tech support.
Mellissa Pea says
I have called several times to get my first assurance wireless phone to be changed and in corpus Christi Texas had a store so I could a new phone so to the fact my key bord does not work at all. I can’t even listen to my voicemail. They said I got it but I haven’t has been waiting since October. So what can I do to get a new one I can afford one at this time or should I change company
Free Government Cell Phones says
Do you know what was included in your plan, Mellissa? If you had voice and text only, you can switch after 60 days. If your plan also included data, you cannot switch for one full year. Here’s an article that tells you all about switching:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
If you do not qualify to switch yet, find out about your service provider’s Bring Your Own Phone program. That may solve your problem.
Melinda Lancaster says
Can I use my Access Wireless phone number and use it on a different phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Maybe, maybe not. Not all cell phones are compatible with all cell networks, Melinda. You should call your service provider’s customer service team to find out if your specific make and model will work on its network.
L.J. says
I see Assurance is not offering an Android for new applicants. Does anyone know the brand/model of said Android phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We don’t know why you say that, LJ. The Assurance website says “Get a free Android Smartphone Plus” right on the homepage.
John Phoenix says
Thanks for the update. That’s really too bad, I was hoping they would do better as a joint operation plan wise than I have with Safelink. Knock on wood I haven’t had problems with Safelink since I enrolled 3 months ago. 350 minutes a month isn’t bad because I don’t talk much, just wish the minutes and data rolled over.
Dave H. says
You’ve permanently lost credibility. How is it possible you weren’t even aware of the news four months later? Actually, it was well over five months later, Paul McAleese had accepted a job in Canada back in April. At that point, it was obvious the deal was dead.
Perhaps you should legally change your name to Rip Van Winkle.
Free Government Cell Phones says
A pleasure to hear from you, Dave.
Dave H says
No charge. Just like Lifeline.