We get hundreds of questions every day from our readers. But every once in a while one stands out. Like this one from Eloise asking about her service with Blue Jay Wireless: “How can I recertify if all lines and website have been down since December 2017.”
Really, Eloise? This is the first we heard of it. So we immediately jumped into research mode and what we discovered was very disappointing.
The bottom line: Blue Jay Wireless no longer participates in the Lifeline free government cell phone program. It’s not easy to find this information, and there is absolutely nothing on the Blue Jay website to inform its former customers.
It took a few phone calls, a little Googling, and a lot of research before we discovered that Blue Jay’s former customers are now being serviced by StandUp Wireless. Here’s the online notice we ferreted out:
NOTIFICATION
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING A CHANGE TO YOUR WIRELESS SERVICE
Change in Service Provider Notification
Around July 6th, your Lifeline phone service, currently provided by Blue Jay Wireless, will be provided by Global Connection Inc. of America d/b/a StandUp Wireless, another major provider of Lifeline services. We will make the change as seamless as possible. Your service will continue to be provided utilizing the same nationwide network.
What’s important to know is that you do NOT need to take any action, and you will continue to be enrolled to receive LifeLine wireless telephone service. NO fees will be applied in connection with the change of service provider.
With StandUp Wireless, you will continue to use your SAME phone with the SAME telephone number. And, you will receive 500 Minutes, UNLIMITED TEXT, and 500 MB DATA. You will still receive this service at no charge.
StandUp Wireless will notify you once you are transferred, and will provide notice of any future changes to rates or terms and conditions of service, as required by law. As with Blue Jay Wireless, you will not have a contract with StandUp Wireless, and have the right to change Lifeline providers.
There’s no need to call. More information will be provided to you soon so watch your phone for more messages. In the meantime, you can also visit StandUp Wireless online at http://www.standupwireless.com/notification1.
StandUp Wireless looks forward to serving you.
Questions or concerns? Call StandUp Wireless at any point at 1-800-544-4441 or, prior to the transfer, call Blue Jay Wireless by dialing 611 on your handset or 1-855-425-8529.
Unfortunately, it appears that some Blue Jay customers, such as Eloise and several other FreeGovernmentCellPhone.net readers, did NOT receive any notification and have been left in the lurch.
Our crack research team used archive.org to check previous states of the Blue Jay website. The most recent snapshot was January 10, 2018 and the site was apparently up-and-running at that time, but is currently inactive.
When we called Blue Jay, we were connected to an outsourced Indian call center. The Indian customer service rep verified that Blue Jay and Stand Up have merged. However, a search of the web for both company names resulted in the July 2017 notice shown above. There is no news anywhere on the web about a merger. None.
The rep also told us the Blue Jay website is down only because it is being revamped and will soon be operational again. Our tech guru said, “I’m not sure I buy the idea that the site is coming back up, as revamps of sites just don’t work that way and don’t stay down so long.”
Then the proverbial light bulb went on over our crack research guru’s head. If there has been a merger, he reasoned, StandUp should now offer service in all the states they previously serviced PLUS additional states that had been served by Blue Jay.
As far as we can determine Blue Jay states in which Stand Up does not offer service are Hawaii, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Rhode Island. It appears that StandUp has added service plans in California and Rhode Island, former Blue Jay states, but not in Hawaii, Nevada, North Dakota and Oklahoma, other states formerly served by Blue Jay.
Blue Jay’s Facebook page no longer mentions the Lifeline free government cell phone program. It now says, “Blue Jay Wireless is the socially conscious wireless wearable company. Blue Jay is a wireless wearables brand dedicated to improving lives in our communities by making and delivering leading wireless wearable products and technologies which help society.”
So what, you might ask, is a wireless wearable? Well, the only product shown on Blue Jay’s Facebook page is Trackum. “Trackums is a revolutionary pet tracking device and is the World’s First Smartphone for Pets! Learn more at www.bluejaywireless.com #pettracker #DogGPS #CatGPS.”
No, this is not a parody. The socially conscious company no longer offers free government cell phones for needy people, but offers the world’s first smartphone for pets.
Lord help us all.
Sadly, Blue Jay now becomes the latest fatality in the Lifeline free government cell phone company. ReachOut Wireless went out of business. Budget Wireless has gone out of business. Total Call Mobile has gone out of business. Terracom and YourTel have merged. And a merger between Assurance Wireless and Access Wireless was unexpectedly called off.
Consider it a case of economic Darwinism. Only the strong survive.
Annie Tang says
I lost my bluejay cell phone & how can i get another pbone with my same number with sim card?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Good question, Annie. Blue Jay is out of business and your account has been transferred to some other company. But if you don’t have your phone and don’t know who your account was transferred to, it’s a bit of a problem. Try visiting the USAC.org website. They can help you find our which company you have been assigned to.
Patricia. Eddy says
Telephone 808-557-****; blue jay wireless should be my provider. my phone has been deactivated, I was told I would be carried by blue jay until I got another provider. Please contact me at 808-982 **** patrica eddy. Thank you, please reactivate my phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not Blue Jay, Patricia. This is an independent informational website. You are free to enroll with any other Lifeline service provider in your state. Here’s where you can find a list of those companies and plans:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
delcia T Carter says
In reno nevada for over year it is 3g/4g only but assurance wireless sent androids that weren’t 3g/4g and refuse to give u 3g/4g phone unless you pay shipping
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can switch from one service provider to another with ZERO waiting period. In other words, you can switch this afternoon if you want. Here’s an article that tells you how simple it is:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
betty-d-story says
would like to change my free cell phone from assurance to safelike trac-phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that tells you how to make the switch:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
JoAnne Martinez says
I paid$50 for smart phone to Blue Jay for my son Manuel J Martinez w/my visa card, still no phone in the mail. Pd on 2-28-18. At same time needs recert. Number to call impossible, always busy. 469-789-3495. Manuel keeps getting message to call 611from his phone but it’s non functional. Thus why I was buying him a new phone. He is on medicaid and food stamps. Can you help us?
Free Government Cell Phones says
As a result of Blue Jay exiting the free government cell phone business, you are now free to re-enroll with any other Lifeline company offering plans in your state. Here’s where you can find them all:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
xellysiax says
If you paid by bankcard or credit card which most likely you did, and you did it on 2-28-2018, you should call your bank and or credit card company you are under 60 days and should be able to contest the charge and get your money back.
Christie says
Since Stand Up Wireless became the current provider for former Blue Jay Wireless customers (I’m one of those customers) and Stand Up DOES NOT provide any services here in Hawaii, where does that leave me? Currently my services are still active and uninterrupted but what do you recommend I do? Any advice/recommendations will be much appreciated.
Free Government Cell Phones says
These situations in which one company goes out of business and another takes over their customers are always interesting. You’re kind of stuck at the moment, Christie. If we were you, we would be proactive and switch your service to one of the other Hawaiian free government cell phone service providers NOW so you don’t get stuck with no service in the future. Here’s an article about how to switch:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
And here’s where you can find all the companies and plans in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
TDSteve says
A few months back I started getting more voice minute as I was only on the voice plan with my Lifeline service provider.
So Blue Jay has gone to the dogs. As a bird Blue Jay’s are kinda pretty but mischievous as heck.
Was Blue Jay ever caught in misdeeds by the former FCC in waste, fraud and abuse?
Seems USCA and Lifeline then the FCC would have safeguards in place that a service provider of the Lifeline program had to act in a fair and open nature to it’s subscribers.
Here’s one for you to research, HOW MANY LIFELINE companies are 100% ran in the USA? To where the profits stays here in the US they get/make?
Mergers, Sales, & Deactivations
http://www.usac.org/cont/tools/merger.aspx
USCA NEWS
——————
Benefit Port Freeze Rule Eliminated
http://www.usac.org/li/about/outreach/newsletters/2018/January.aspx
Universal Service Funds Moving to the U.S. Treasury
http://www.usac.org/li/about/outreach/newsletters/2018/January.aspx
In the second quarter of 2018, USAC will move its banking services for the Universal Service Fund from its current banking institution to the U.S. Treasury. After the transfer, USAC will no longer accept payments to, or distribute funds from, its current bank account.
TDSteve
KAROL GLAZER says
Do this new celp.is smart and is operet not dificult for oler person like me 91 years old .
i have celph. zte but is very dificult to call for help to your family ,so please show as this new celphone .
Thank You Karol.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry, Karol, but we’re not sure what you are trying to say.