Freedompop: What Are the Pros and Cons?
- Good plan available for limited data use customers
- Plans include calling to international numbers
- Plans available online and at Target and Walmart
- Mostly iPhones available for purchase
- No stores available for customer support
- Only offers two phone plans
How Freedompop Plans Work
FreedomPop was founded in the year 2012 by Stephen Stokols and Steven Sesar. It is one of the dozens of Mobile Virtual Networks Operators that operate in the USAÂ (otherwise known as an MVNOs for short).
FreedomPop originally operated as a Sprint MVNO, although it is now an AT&T MVNO.
Besides using cellular data networks for service, Wi-Fi can also be used for phone calls and messaging. FreedomPop’s legacy service was primarily VoIP based and for some customers, this caused a little bit of latency while on phone calls. When the latency is too high, it may take a split second for what is said by one person to be heard by the person on the other end of the line. Sometimes this leads to people talking over one another. This problem along with the inactivity fees described below that FreedomPop used to charge for caused a lot of negativity around the brand. However, in 2019, the FreedomPop brand was acquired by Red Pocket Mobile.
Red Pocket went on to implement changes with the brand. Some were viewed positively and some negatively. A positive change is that VoIP is no longer the primary method for voice calls. Voice calls now work the same as any other provider and no longer have the latency issues.
One negative change is that Red Pocket removed a popular FreedomPop plan that included 200 minutes, 200 texts, and up to 500MB of data. A free plan with 100 minutes, 100 text messages, and 100MB of data is available exclusively at Target and Walmart.
In March 2024, FreedomPop pivoted to market to the senior demographic. The company also hired NBA Hall of Famer, Julius Erving to be their spokesperson. Erving has been featured in several TV commercials touting FreedomPop.
About FreedomPop’s Plans
FreedomPop offers three basic phone plans. There’s the free plan that was previously described above that’s available exclusively at Target and Walmart plus two paid plan options. The two paid plan options are:
- $10/month – 1GB high-speed data
- $30/month – 10GB high-speed data
Data allotments are hard-capped for each plan. Data top-ups are available, and talk and text top-ups are available on the free plan. Top-up options are $2 for either 100 minutes, 100 texts or 100MB data. A $5 top-up will get you either 250 minutes 250MB of data or 500 texts. There’s also a $10 top-up that includes 1,000 minutes, or 1,000 texts, or 1GB of data. Top-ups do not carryover to the next billing cycle. Customers that go over any of their free plan allotments will automatically be upgraded and billed $10 for the 1GB plan. Only 1 free plan is allowed per household.
How To Port Out Of Freedompop
Porting out requires you to know your PIN number and account number. Your PIN and account numbers can easily be found by logging into your FreedomPop account and viewing "Port Out Info" in your account dashboard.
While porting out, you must be sure that your FreedomPop account is active. If it is not, you cannot port out. Once porting out is complete, you must cancel you FreedomPop service to avoid any future bills.
Phone Unlock Policy
FreedomPop's cell phones are sold locked. They can be unlocked if the following conditions are met:
- At least six (6) months have passed since the the device was registered with FreedomPop.
- Your device hasn't been reported as lost or stolen.
- Your device isn't associated with a fraudulent account.
- Your device hasn't been included in a CB dispute.
- You will not have to wait 6 months after the device has been registered, if you are serving in the military and your account is in good standing. Upon the provision of deployment papers, your device can be unlocked.
Freedompop News
By Joe Paonessa • 03/19/24
FreedomPop has hired NBA Hall of Famer Julius Erving, better known as “Dr. J,” to be th...
By Joe Paonessa • 07/28/23
Red Pocket Mobile has started a revival of some of its neglected brands. Wave7 Research...
By Joe Paonessa • 06/07/19
The company that runs FreedomPop, STS Media, announced today that it has agreed to sell...
This is not sold at Best Buy
Worst thing is no unlimited plan. The company is thriving on overages. 2GB on a hotspot will run out in less than 2 hours. Horrid.
So the only way to get internet service is to get their phone????
So the only way to get Internet service is to take the phone?
$20 charge for BYOD. Requires an app to dial (free download from Google Play store). They try to make their money by selling extras. Calls sent/received through data line unless you get “Premium” Voice for $4/month. Voicemail $2.50/month extra. Data rollover up to 20GB $4/month. Bundle all three plus MMS texts and tethering for $8/month. Ad-free messaging $4/month (The ads do not bother me). New accounts get free trials that can be tricky to cancel before they start billing monthly. Good deal for light users or a backup phone
Problem with these guys is their fraudulent billing practices-gotcha charges! Good luck reaching a human to complain to also!