Congratulations to Life Wireless. The Georgia-based company says it has topped the 1,000,000 customer barrier and climbed into the number three position in the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone business, trailing only long-time industry leaders Safelink Wireless and Assurance Wireless.
“This milestone is a testament to our commitment to service, rigor in our processes, and strength of our business practices,” said William Curry, President of Life, said in a press release. “We are incredibly proud of our growth over these past five years, and our success in helping provide this vital service to low-income subscribers. This milestone is a testament to our commitment to service, rigor in our processes, and strength of our business practices.”
In our previous ranking (2014) of Lifeline Assistance industry leaders, we showed Safelink Wireless, which handed out the very first free government cell phone in Tennessee back in 2008, in first place with 3,6796,400 customers. Assurance came in second with 2,774,650 customers. Budget Mobile in third place with 751,105 customers. With 718,354 customers, Life narrowly edged out number five ReachOut Wireless to snag the number four position.
Life Wireless offers free government cell phones in 27 states — including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin, plus the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
By way of comparison, Safelink is available in 38 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and Assurance is available in 40 states and the District of Columbia.
The industry is going through a rapid consolidation phase with a number of companies listed in our ranking of top 20 Lifeline service providers have dropped out of the business (ReachOut Link-Up Telecom, nTelos Wireless, Alaska Communications, and Conexion Wireless), and other companies have merged (YourTel and TerraCom, for example).
In addition, the Federal Communications Commission is doing everything it can to cut down on waste, fraud and abuse in the program, so there are fewer dollars to go around, intensifying competition among the remaining competitors.
Now that we’ve reached the end of this article, we want to wish a belated congratulations to Life Wireless. The competitive environment is getting tougher and tougher in the free government cell phone business and we’re proud to salute anyone who can grow and prosper under the current circumstances.
Way to go, Life!
Source: Businesswire
Themistocles Dela Cruz says
For info I have had completely cancelled or de-enroll my Assurance Wireless phone a couple of weeks ago. I’m now searching for a new Lifeline Assistance Program for which upon thorough scrutiny I decided to join Life Wireless which I believed could give a better phone and service. My question is, can I apply now for a new lifeline phone? I’m concerned because maybe my name has not been deleted yet with USAC.
Free Government Cell Phones says
If you had been with Assurance for at least 12 months, it shouldn’t be a problem. (New Lifeline regulations that went into effect on December 2, 2016 say you are only eligible to switch service providers if you have been with your current provider for at least 12 months.)
We’ve discussed this exact issue with the USAC and they say you should be able to “work with” your new provider to make sure you are no longer listed as an Assurance customer on the NLAD (National Lifeline Assistance Database). They declined to define exactly what “work with” means, but they say it should be relatively easy to clear up any duplicate listings on the NLAD.
Virginia Lawton says
I have no idea how to use this phone?? I just turned in my Samsung cellphone, I am 56 and never used one of these? Help!!
Free Government Cell Phones says
No problem, Virginia. Google the make and model of your phone and the words “user manual” and you’ll quickly find a complete user manual online. Read through it and you’ll learn everything you need to know.
Colleen says
Congratulations Life Wireless…I like this Company have been with them for years….Just wish we could do more with a different phone that we can take photos with and send online maybe get internet on the phone to…I’m a Senior Citizen just wish we had a cell phone with bigger numbers easy to operate…for now its just texting and calling its better then nothing….Thank You Life Wireless keep up the good work! 🙂
Free Government Cell Phones says
You should contact Life customer service by phone or online, Colleen. Ask if you can upgrade to a different phone that might suit all your needs. There will probably be a small upgrade fee, but you may just be able to get exactly what you want.
Joel Lamb says
I really like the service but I’m having issues with the phone that I’m received. Is it possible to receive a new phone?
The one I have drops calls. Advertisements up and lock the phone. The batter will not hold a charge and gets extremly hot. And sometimes the phone just decides to go off.
Your help is greatly appreciated. 5th
Free Government Cell Phones says
Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to speak to customer service. It’s possible that they will replace your phone for free, but it’s more likely that they will require you to pay a relatively reasonable fee.
Steve says
I choose Life Wireless over Safelink, and while doing a Lifeline Benefits transfer I found Life’s Customer Service all but helpful and responsive to my inquiries, though I pushed on. Yes It seemed as though an uphill trek and them wanting you to fail or just quit and give up !
Lifeline Benefit Transfer Authorization to Life Wireless-
http://www.lifewireless.com/forms/LW_BTA_14_06_27.pdf
Here are some of the reasons I choose Life Wireless.
1. 500 minutes instead of 250 and at their discretion 100 additional minutes for Military, Veterans with proof of service.
2. Network Service comes through on the AT&T towers at my home and I no longer have to go to my front door or outside in making or receiving calls, as I had to do for over three years with SL.
3. Ability to use my own unlocked GMS phone with Life’s SIM card.
4. On-Line account at Life Wireless to see my calls, balances, etc…
without having to contact their customer support.
You can see my “other” information of Life Wireless and my initial experiences at-
Steve says – November 8, 2015 at 3:25 pm
Steve says – November 9, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Steve says – October 24, 2015 at 6:02 am
Steve says – September 29, 2015 at 3:13 pm
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers/life-wireless
Life Wireless service is far superior to what I had suffered with for nearly three years but, although their Customer Service Rep’s are friendly, they really didn’t seem to get anything done in my case and I had to end up using the person at Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), to actually get on board and up and running with Life Wireless.
What I’m trying to say is don’t give up and if needed use all available means at your disposal.
Thanks FGCP for your News and medium to us.
Steve