Increased competition in an industry helps to improve the quality of products and service. It’s no different in the Lifeline phone service business, which, make no mistake, is a profitable market. When there are two or more companies in the same state, they will compete for your business.
So it’s always good to see more companies enter each regional market, so that consumers have a choice when they look for a free cell phone provider. If the reviews of one company are not encouraging, a customer can try a different company.
We’re happy to report that while we were looking through some FCC documents today, we ran across a Public Notice that shows ReachOut Wireless (Nexus Communications) has petitioned the FCC to enter nine more states. Here’s the relevant paragraph:
Nexus seeks designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline and Link-Up services in the non-rural areas of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Note: We don’t know why Tennessee is listed, as we show that they are already providing Lifeline phones in the state.
In addition, there’s another recent Public Notice (link now broken) that indicates they are also trying to enter the state of Florida.
In all but two states, the other two big players — Assurance Wireless and Safelink Wireless — are already there. In New York and North Carolina, currently the only vendor is Assurance Wireless.
With the other free phone providers already approved in these states and D.C., we don’t see why ReachOut will not be approved. We look forward to the competition heating up, and customers benefiting from higher quality phones, more minutes, more features and better customer service.
Kristina F Hibbitts says
I commented earlier that I’m in need of a phone..im on ssi, receive medicaid, and food stamps.. I one had a safelink phone many yrs ago when I lived in Ohio, which my ex boyfriend stole from me.. I now reside in Fayetteville NC and am borrowing a,phone at the time ..its been at least 3 years since I used or even saw my last gov phone..
Free Government Cell Phones says
That original account is undoubted dead by this time because whoever stole it would not have been able to do your annual recertification. And since you now live in a different state, you could not have carried your original account to that new state beyond its first recertification after your move. In other words, you now qualify for a new cell phone from any service provider offering plans in North Carolina. Here’s where you can find them all to find the plan that fits your needs best:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Kristina F Hibbitts says
I need a phone!, am on disability, receive food stamps, also medicaid
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check out all the plans available in your state and enroll with the one that fits your needs best. Here’s where you can find them all:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Rosemarybryant says
I have a damage cell phone safelink will not give me another one
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry to hear that, Rosemary. How many times do you think someone should be able to get their damaged phone replaced? You tell us the number and we’ll call the president of Safelink and tell him to change his company’s policies.
Rita says
Wow, what an IGNORANT & RUDE answer ! Guess your mommy didn’t have the common sense to get an abortion before it was too late , because it is obvious she didn’t want to take the time to even teach you basic manners. And we know the apple never falls far from the tree, so I guess it makes sense that a worthless mother would raise a no account ass ! Glad I never use my actual email on these blog sites …..As per FCC regulations the company MUST provide her a working phone & working service, AND in FL. the public service commission also will come to her aid in forcing her cell phone provider to do this,,, REGARDLESS of your uninformed opinion . I have a friend who complained about her provider ( assurance) and got a call from the grandparent company (Sprint) corp. compliance . she now calls them rather than assurance everytime she has a malfunctioning phone and has gotten them to OVERNIGHT a new phone to her at least 10 times in the last 2 years. Since thi is a government funded program the providers must answer to the agencies that regulate them and they can lose their funding , so knowing WHO to complain to is crucial to getting results.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We climb out of bed every morning hoping that we’ll get to communicate with a sweet-tempered, wonderful human being like you, Rita. Looks like today was our lucky day.
Vivian Middleton says
What phone company allows you to bring your own phone, in my case a ZTE android, and get free phone service?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Most free government cell phone companies allow you to BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) or BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). They are just two different names for the same plan. Contact customer service to confirm that the company you want to enroll with will allow you to do it.
Rita says
Good luck trying to speak to anyone at these free cell phone providers, most have “service”( if you can even call it that) in the Philippines ,they are not intelligent people , but they work for next to nothing so cheap companies love it, after all they don’t have to use that service themselves. I have been responsible for several investigations into lack of customer service ,malfunctioning phones, poor to no service misinformation, ignorant responses, intelligible responses, & just out & out lies that C.S. tells people. .A good enough reason to stop American companies from shipping customer service overseas, if they do this to save money they will loose that benefit when they are fined by our government . America FIRST !!!
Nakaja Beyerl says
i am trying to get a phone number where i can speak with a customer rep an not a recording, in the stare of florida , i have questions about free smartphones,an not getting answers online,trying to reach access wireless, to talk to a customer rep
Rita says
No lifeline cell phone provider in FL ( as of 4/2019) has anything but an automated line , if you would like info , you will need to go to the FCC website and call them or submit a complaint online ,, Also in FL you can also submit a complaint to the “public service commission” There are numerous complaints that “chat ” function, also out of the Philippines, is not only NOT helpful , but is giving out false information.
Tiffany says
Reachout is under construction. When will it be done. I live in fl and need a cell phone.
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
Probably never. Please read this:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/spectacular-rise-fall-of-reachout-wireless
Candice Marshall says
I never had a Reach Out Wireless phone be for im trying to got one right now.
Frank White says
I tried unsuccessfully to sign up with Safelink. Based on my zip code they claim they are not available in my state, even though 1) They list NH as a provided state, and 2) Tracfone’s (which powers Safelink) website confirms that their service works based on my zip code. Tried Assurance’s page and get the same result, not available. :/
Joe Fernandes says
You can do better than Safelink Frank. I live in Ct. and have them now and I am getting off their free cell phone plan asap….My blood pressure just can’t take these tech people anymore. Their tech representatives are out of the Philippines and every time I have talked to them I end up pulling my hair out. Well….I feel like I want to….They have shut my cell phone off 3 times now….Twice because I wanted to keep my old cell phone number, like they promised I could…And again because they thought I had another free phone from another company…Which I did not..Each time they turn my phone off it takes 2 weeks to get it turned back on again…They have to mail you another sim card then you have to call them to get it activated…Keep looking Frank, you can do better than these guys.
Aeryn says
*employers
debbie says
I think its a shame that people are geTting these free cell phones to people , yet another example of government waste,this is a privledge and not a direct need I ask you why would they do this when they won’t even buy toilet paper for people .
James says
I think that it is a shame that you can not use proper grammar and English sentence structure. Some people have no choice but to use these phones. As long as there have been telephones, there has been a special fund set up for low income and rural area people to be able to have phone.
Ray says
Maybe you should be more ashamed of the corporate welfare that businesses get… only to pay their employees starvation wages that forces them to use these programs. When was the last time you saw a payphone? We don’t have payphones here anymore, so programs like these are the ONLY way for people to stay connected.
Evangelina kuhni says
If i applied for safelink am i able to switch to assurance wireless since they offer. Virging cell phones.
Lisa Cutchins says
Safelink will not deliver to a P.O. Box & Assurance only has Virgin which will not work in Slocomb, AL. What phones do you have?
Dana Johnson says
How long will it be until you have service in Alabama? I need a phone as soon as possible.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Why not go with Safelink or Assurance?
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states/alabama-government-cell-phone-providers
Brittany Perrodin says
Hi im tryin to sign up for the free government phone
Nancy Frazer says
When are there going to be services available in Minnesota? Are we able to access another provider, T-Mobile, Sprint for example and receive the discount much like Arizona does??
Free Government Cell Phones says
We don’t see anything going on in Minnesota yet. The companies are in about 37 states now, and I’m sure companies like Safelink Wireless and Assurance Wireless are trying to get in. As soon as we here something about Minnesota we’ll publish an article on it.