FreedomPop has just launched a new phone plan targeted at those who want cheap service without unlimited LTE data. The plan requires subscribers to pay for service one year in advance at a cost of just $49/year.
The new annual plan will operate on the Sprint network or the AT&T network depending on which option is chosen during signup, and it gives subscribers 1,000 text messages, 1,000 minutes and 1 GB of data to use each month. At a price of $49/year this works out to an average cost of just $4.08/month making it the cheapest limited plan around.
In addition to offering the new plan, FreedomPop is bundling the plan with a couple of phones at an additional cost. For $79 subscribers can get the yearly plan with an LG Tribute. A Samsung Galaxy S5 bundle is also available priced at $149.
FreedomPop's COO Steven Sesar, had the following to say in regards to the new offering:
"We’re moving away from the idea that a mobile service has to come with a monthly bill..... For a one-time purchase of under $80, you can get a smartphone and service and not have to think about ongoing payments. With U.S. mobile prices coming down, we felt it was time to lead the industry to even further price drops, offering massive discounts for annual plans like most online subscription companies have been doing for years"
I find the last part of his comment to be a little funny, given that he stated it was time they start leading the industry to even further price drops by offering big discounts on annual plans. FreedomPop has actually been doing this for quite awhile. Some of those annual plans which include this AT&T based plan , feature unlimited talk, text and 2 GB of data at an average cost of $11.99/month have even been listed through BestMVNO.com.
Annual and multi month plans have seemed to gain more traction recently. Red Pocket Mobile offers an annual plan with 3GB of data at an average cost of $21.25/month that is available on all 4 major wireless networks. Ultra Mobile just changed up their monthly plans to include more features for those who are willing to pay for service 3 months in advance. Ultra's other brand, Mint SIM, exclusively sells multi month plans with big discounts. Both Ultra Mobile and Mint SIM operate on T-Mobile's network.
So on the annual or bi annual calls on either Sprint or Verzion network are routed thru VOIP rather than premium voice being either CDMA or GSM Networks? Also how is VOIP calls & far as clarity & ease of use along with performance/durability?
Lastly will u be reviewing Comcast newest Xfinity Mobile Service soon, which piggy back off Verzion network? They have some pretty attractive deals!!
All the best, Ron.
Hello Ron,
Just to be clear, that’s Sprint and AT&T not Sprint and Verizon.
You are correct in that calls will be VoIP rather than over a traditional cellular network with the plans that you mentioned.
I think people tend to have mixed results with VoIP, and part of it may depend on location. I use Hangouts a lot with VoIP and am content with that, but it may be different with FreedomPop. I have not yet tested the particular plans mentioned in this article though. I suggest you have a look around HowardForums to get some ideas from other users.
I do not have Xfinity in my area, so I cannot test and review that.
this should read GB, not MB.
Both would be correct. For all intents and purposes 1000 MB is generally accepted as being equal to 1 GB
Will this plan include premium calls on GSM?
I do not want VOIP calls. Might as well use Hangouts or any other app.
This annual plan announced today is for Sprint, not GSM. It does not include premium voice. If you are talking about the older GSM plan that I made brief mention of in the article, it also does not include premium voice.
I stand corrected. I see that the $49 annual plan is also available on AT&T. You’re given the choice to go with AT&T during check out, however, the landing page that this article links to only shows a coverage map that is Sprint’s, hence my initial confusion.