Here’s a story that got short shrift during the CES madness. Assurance Wireless has expanded its coverage to Washington DC, which means low-income people throughout the DC metro area can now apply for a free cell phone and free voice plan with 250 minutes per month. No contracts. No surcharges. No early termination fees. If you already qualify for certain public assistance programs, or meet the low-income threshold, you can get a free mobile phone with free minutes, no strings attached.
Assurance Wireless is at least partially funded by the Universal Service Fund, which shows some of the shift in emphasis taking place as the USF expands the definition of lifeline service beyond traditional fixed-line voice. Meanwhile, the Assurance Wireless program is actually run by Virgin Mobile USA, which in turn operates over the Sprint network. States that are currently covered by Assurance Wireless include Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and the three states (territories?) making up the DC metro area – Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
You’re not going to see any smartphones on the Assurance Wireless plan, but you can’t beat free, and the cause is a worthy one. (How do you apply for a job without a phone number?) Besides, now we know who’s buying up old Kyocera phones, right? Wonder if the program wants an old Nokia candybar circa 2001. I think I might have one of those around somewhere…