The early days of the free government cell phone business had something in common with the early days of the automobile business. That’s when Henry Ford said that his customers could get a car in any color they wanted as long as it was black.
In the early days of the free government cell phone program, you could get a plan that was custom-designed for you as long as what you wanted was 250 minutes of airtime per month.
As competition increased, so did the offerings of the major Lifeline companies such as Assurance Wireless, Safelink Wireless and ReachOut Wireless. Gradually, one of them offered texting. Another one allowed its customers to purchase additional minutes. But the basic offer remained the same.
But, oh, how things are changing. As more competitors enter the business, competition is heating up, and that’s very good news for consumers because the top companies are now attempting to lure in more customers with more free talk and more free texts.
In particular, the “250 minutes OR 250 texts” rule is changing; traditionally, each text costs a user anywhere up to one voice minute per text message. Recognizing that people actually text more than they call these days, companies are beginning to adopt the policy of texts not counting against a customer’s minutes.
Let’s get specific and do what we always do: help you get the best deal possible.
Assurance Wireless has changed its basic offering and now offers its customers 250 minutes AND 250 texts.
Safelink Wireless now offer 250 minutes AND 1,000 texts. (Great deal!)
Unfortunately, ReachOut Wireless, the remaining member of “the big three”, appears to be lagging behind its primary competitors and still offers the same 250 free minutes its always offered. We say “appears to be lagging” because the number of minutes/texts are not marketed on the company’s website, while Assurance and Safelink proudly tout their improved plans. It’s possible that ReachOut has, in fact, matched its competitors’ plans, but if they have, the offer must be hidden deep within the impenetrable bowels of its website because we cannot find them. (NOTE: C’mon, ReachOut, please let us know the facts and we’ll be happy to update this story.)
What about the dozens of smaller, regional competitors? We did a random check of their websites and discovered that they are all over the board. Many still offer the original 250 minutes of talk per month, but others have come up with unique bonus plans of their own.
For example, Terracom Wireless, which does business in fourteen states, now offers three plans. Its Lifeline Plan 250 plan gives you 250 free voice minutes and texts each month. Its Oklahoma Lifeline Unlimited Plan offers unlimited voice minutes but no texting for $4.58 per month plus fees and taxes. And its Oklahoma Lifeline 1000 Plan gives you 1000 voice minutes or 1000 text messages for $1.00 per month plus fees and taxes.
Consider this to be convincing proof that there are almost as many plans as there are states and companies. We recommend visiting our individual state page to find out which companies do business in your state and what they’re offering.
The bottom line: The free government cell phone business is governed by the same rules of economics that hold true for any other business. Look around, do your research, and find the deal that works best for you.
As with any purchase, you get what you pay for. Except that in the free government cell phone business, you get what you don’t pay for.
Dwayne says
Can I buy more minutes? And how can I do that.
Free Government Cell Phones says
That depends on your service provider, Dwayne. Check its website to see if/how they are offered.
Chasity says
I keep calling Terra Com at 1-877-351-4747 we paid our bill but we have no data still every time I call I get told to reboot. Well it still wont work! I have now been on hold 24 mins waiting for tech support.
sabrina says
I keep trying to Call reach out wireless at the 18778709444 an it keeps telling me to call back durning t business hours an I am an it still keep saying the same thing so I went to the web site they gave me a customer service number an a tech support number that says the same thing so I’m assuming its the same line just different numbers .I need to get in contact with them because they turned my phone off but. Then I receritifed an it all went through an they still haven t turned it Back on can you help me thank you
rhonds sims says
I have a handycap son i need a phone
asia says
I like my cell phone
michael davis says
I have a qlink phone that does not work, weeks ago i contacted qlink they said they would send a replacement phone, still waiting and qlink wont respond to questions DO NOT GET QLINK YOUR WARNED
Hal Morris says
I just transferred my Lifeline service to Budget Mobile and they offer 1000 talk minutes and unlimited text. They have commercials on the E Television network, but they are few and far between, I had to look them up on the web, I found them and its true! Can’t beat that deal!
Patricia says
This is exactly what I have been trying to find out about. I have Qlink and want to upgrade the phone but the only way to reach them is by email. I wrote to them twice and never got a reply.
Please tell me how you were you able to transfer to another company?
Thank you so much!
Davjohn says
The paragraph says “Terracom Wireless … Lifeline Plan 250 plan gives you 250 free voice minutes and texts each month.” Does this mean Terracom gives 250 minutes AND 250 texts, or do the minutes and texts come from the same 250 unit “pie”?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You’re right, the paragraph is not clear, we’ll update it. Here’s the info right from the Terracom page:
Lifeline Plan 250
Each month you will receive 250 free voice minutes. Text messaging will be assessed at a rate of 1 minute per text message for sending and 1 minute per text message for receiving text messages. There are no rollover minutes with this plan. Unused minutes will expire each month on the service expiration date. This plan is available in all states where TerraCom Wireless offers service except Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Lifeline Unlimited Plan
Each month you will receive unlimited voice minutes for $4.58 per month plus fees and taxes. Text messaging will not be available with the unlimited talk plan. There are no rollover minutes with this plan. Unused minutes will expire each month on the service expiration date. This plan is only available to Oklahoma residents.
Oklahoma Lifeline 1000 Plan
Each month you will receive 1000 voice minutes or 1000 text messages for $1.00 per month plus fees and taxes. Text messaging will be assessed at a rate of 1 minute per text message for sending and 1 minute per text message for receiving text messages. There are no rollover minutes with this plan. Unused minutes will expire each month on the service expiration date. This plan is only available to Oklahoma residents.
Ghaith Kamil says
I’m ask if you can send me another cellphone, because the one i have, has weak voice.
I hope to send me a good one. I didn’t receive any free 250 minutes since along time, i buy always minutes. I hope to help me with my needs, because i’m low income and I don’t have a good money to pay.
I have another question, if i can get another cellphone for my wife, i hope to answer me.
Thank you God Bless all of you.
Davjohn says
Hello Ghaith Kamil,
In my experience, when my minutes were not renewed for a period of time, I had to call the provider to ensure my account was properly certified. After a time the provider may unregister your SIM card or EIN encoding.
I recommend that you call customer service for account management.
My-t-Le says
I was applied one free cell phone in low income programe.I got ID#16601199 and I add some title,so right now I still dont get my phone.I can ask you now I must to do What more things???Please you can answer to me as soon as on my friend email above.Thank you veyr much.
God Bless all you.
My.
isabel vazquez says
i like safelink
Tia says
I live in Ohio and I’m looking for the free phone plan with the most minutes and texts I have lots of dr’s that get ahold of me and my family are long distant so I need the one with the most amount of time please help me find the best one and maybe unlimited if I need to pay the I need the cheapest one thanks please get back to me ASAP