FreedomPop

What FreedomPop does

FreedomPop is a privately-held Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) operated by United Telecom, LLC, headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. The company delivers prepaid wireless voice, text, and data services to US consumers by reselling capacity on underlying AT&T (GSMA) and T-Mobile (GSMT) carrier networks through an operational integration with Red Pocket Mobile. Its core product is a tiered set of no-contract monthly plans priced at $10/month (1GB of 5G+ data, unlimited talk/text, international calling to 20 countries) and $30/month (10GB of 5G+ data, international calling to 80+ countries), with a freemium/free-tier option and a California LifeLine Program providing free service to qualifying low-income households.

The company sells unlocked Apple iPhone devices (iPhone 16 Pro Max, 16 Pro, 16, 15) and the NEO FLIP LTE feature phone, with manufacturer-funded device rebates ($150 back after 3 months of AutoPay) and third-party financing via SmartPay. Customers activate service through a self-serve web portal that supports both physical SIM card mail delivery and eSIM, with automatic APN configuration on Android devices. A mobile app (iOS and Android) handles account management, and customer support is delivered via phone (English, Spanish, Filipino), live chat, and email.

FreedomPop's revenue model combines recurring monthly subscription fees (the dominant stream), hardware device sales, international long-distance services sourced from Elite Telecom/NetworkIP, and government subsidies from the California LifeLine Program. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer e-commerce with social media and affiliate channel support, plus a nascent SMB business channel. The customer base spans seniors (primary persona), price-conscious consumers, income-qualified LifeLine households, and small/medium businesses. The company has raised approximately $119M+ across multiple funding rounds between 2012 and 2018, with the most recent being $10M from Armentum Partners; no subsequent funding rounds are disclosed in the source data.

Name

FreedomPop

Legal name

United Telecom, LLC

Website

https://freedompop.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

FreedomPop is a US prepaid wireless MVNO operated by United Telecom, LLC, reselling AT&T and T-Mobile network capacity to deliver no-contract $10-$30/month cell plans, iPhones, and California LifeLine subsidized service primarily to seniors and price-conscious consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Prepaid Wireless Telecommunications (MVNO)

NAICS

Telecommunications Resellers (517121)

SIC

Radiotelephone Communications (4812)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer Mobile Network Operators (Retail MNOs) (HDAIAAAA)

Keywords

• Prepaid wireless service
• Mobile virtual network operator
• Budget cell phone plans
• MVNO telecom services
• Prepaid mobile plans

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Monthly Wireless Service Plans: FreedomPop generates primary revenue through monthly prepaid wireless plans. Plans range from $10/month (1GB data, 20 countries international calling) to $30/month (10GB data, unlimited talk/text, 80+ countries international calling). Additional plans include free options with limitations. Revenue is recurring on a monthly basis with AutoPay enrollment encouraged.
2. Device Sales: FreedomPop sells mobile devices including Apple iPhones (iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 15) and flip phones (NEO FLIP LTE). Devices are sold at competitive prices with manufacturer rebates (e.g., $150 back on iPhone 16 Pro after 3 months of service). SmartPay financing is available through a third-party provider for installment purchases.
3. International Long Distance Services: International calling services are provided through Elite Telecom (NetworkIP, LLC), offering both PayGo per-minute and Unlimited ILD plans for international destinations. The company earns revenue from international call usage and associated fees.
4. Lifeline Program Subsidies: FreedomPop participates in the California LifeLine Program, providing free unlimited talk, text, and 10GB data to qualifying low-income households. Revenue comes from government subsidies for eligible participants on the GSMA network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FreedomPop is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that delivers prepaid wireless service in the United States by reselling capacity on the AT&T (GSMA) and T-Mobile (GSMT) networks. Its core offerings include no-contract monthly plans starting at $10/month (1GB) and $30/month (10GB) with unlimited talk and text, international calling to up to 80+ countries, and nationwide 5G+ coverage. The company also sells unlocked mobile devices (Apple iPhones, flip phones), supports eSIM and physical SIM activation, and provides a free subsidized plan through the California LifeLine program.

Product overview

FreedomPop is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) prepaid cell phone service targeting seniors, positioned as "America's #1 Cell Service for Seniors." The core offering consists of prepaid wireless plans ($10/month with 1GB data and $30/month with 10GB data) providing nationwide 5G+ coverage, unlimited talk and text, and international calling. The company operates on underlying carrier networks (GSMA and GSMT) and also offers a California LifeLine Program providing free service for qualifying low-income households. The product portfolio includes unlocked Apple iPhones (iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 15), the NEO FLIP LTE feature phone, a mobile app for account management, and SIM/eSIM activation options. FreedomPop also provides business wireless services through its SMB division. The company is operated by United Telecom, LLC dba FreedomPop, in partnership with Red Pocket Mobile.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FreedomPop Business: Small and medium business wireless plans and services offered by FreedomPop.

Products and services

• FreedomPop Prepaid Wireless Service Prepaid wireless cell phone service targeting seniors and price-conscious consumers, offering nationwide 5G+ coverage with plans starting at $10/month. Services include unlimited talk and text, high-speed data on 5G+ networks, and international calling to various countries.
• $10 Monthly Plan (1GB) Entry-level prepaid plan offering 1GB of 5G+ high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and international calling to 20 countries for $10/month. Reduced speeds apply after data threshold; no contract or credit check required.
• $30 Monthly Plan (10GB) Mid-tier prepaid plan offering 10GB of 5G+ high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, nationwide coverage, and international calling to 80+ countries for $30/month. A $150 device rebate is available for new customers after 3 months of AutoPay enrollment.
• California LifeLine Program Free unlimited talk, text, and data program for qualifying low-income households in California. Provides 10GB of free monthly data on the GSMA 5G network, available to eligible California residents who apply through the California LifeLine program.
• Apple iPhone Series (16 Pro Max, 16 Pro, 16, 15) Unlocked Apple iPhones (iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 15) sold with manufacturer rebates up to $150 after 3 months of AutoPay service. Compatible with FreedomPop's GSMA and GSMT networks; SmartPay financing available.
• NEO FLIP LTE Feature Phone LTE-enabled flip phone priced at $65, designed for users who prefer a simple flip-phone form factor for basic calling and texting on FreedomPop's network.
• FreedomPop Business (SMB Wireless) Wireless service offering for small and medium businesses, providing cellular plans and services tailored for business customers with multiple employees. Includes a dedicated sales inquiry form collecting company information, employee count, and business case details.
• SIM Kit and eSIM Activation Physical nano SIM cards delivered by mail and embedded SIM (eSIM) options for activating FreedomPop service on compatible devices. eSIM setup instructions are delivered via email after order confirmation; Android devices receive automatic APN configuration upon activation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5G+ download speeds up to 472 Mbps on GSMA network
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AT&T (GSMA Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationFreedomPop operates as an MVNO reseller on the AT&T network (GSMA), providing customers with access to AT&T's 5G, 5G+, and 4G LTE infrastructure. This partnership enables FreedomPop to offer nationwide coverage including rural areas without owning network infrastructure.
• T-Mobile (GSMT Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationFreedomPop operates as an MVNO reseller on the T-Mobile network (GSMT), providing customers with access to T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 3G infrastructure. The GSMT network serves as an alternative network option for compatible devices.
• Red Pocket MobilecoreTechnology or IntegrationFreedomPop operates on Red Pocket Mobile's network infrastructure and systems. The activation pages reference Red Pocket Mobile for device purchases, and the company appears to be integrated into Red Pocket's operational systems for billing, activation, and SIM management.
• SmartPayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmartPay (affiliate program) provides financing options for device purchases, offering low monthly payments through rental purchase agreements. Customers can purchase devices with installment payments rather than full upfront cost. Credit history is not required for approval.
• Brightstar (Phone Protection Plans)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBrightstar provides device protection plans including Phone Protection Plus with AppleCare Services (Lost and Theft) and standard Phone Protection Plan with AppleCare Services. Plans cover drops, spills, malfunctions, and offer $29 screen repairs at Apple Stores.
• California LifeLine ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreedomPop participates in the California LifeLine Program, a government initiative providing subsidized wireless service to low-income households. Qualifying California residents receive free unlimited talk, text, and 10GB data on FreedomPop's GSMA network.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mint Mobile: Mint Mobile is a prepaid MVNO that resells on T-Mobile's network with $15-$30/month plans. Direct head-to-head competitor to FreedomPop on price-conscious prepaid, although Mint targets a younger, digital-first segment rather than seniors.
• Consumer Cellular: Consumer Cellular is a prepaid MVNO most directly comparable to FreedomPop's senior positioning, offering no-contract plans on AT&T and T-Mobile networks. Targets the same 50+ demographic with AARP distribution, making it the closest senior-focused MVNO competitor.
• Red Pocket Mobile: Red Pocket Mobile is the underlying network operator and operational partner for FreedomPop. Operates the same GSMA/GSMT wholesale relationships and serves a similar prepaid customer base, making it both a partner and overlapping retail competitor.
• Visible: Visible is Verizon's owned prepaid MVNO offering a single $25/month unlimited plan on Verizon's network. Directly competes with FreedomPop's $30 plan with superior network backing, illustrating the carrier-owned MVNO threat.
• Twigby: Twigby is a budget MVNO reselling on Verizon's network with plans starting under $15/month. Comparable to FreedomPop's $10 entry-level positioning in the value-conscious prepaid segment.
• Republic Wireless: Republic Wireless is an MVNO with hybrid Wi-Fi/cellular plans aimed at cost-sensitive consumers. Operates in the same prepaid MVNO category as FreedomPop with comparable price points.

Broad incumbents

• Boost Mobile: Boost Mobile is a large-scale prepaid wireless brand (now under Dish/EchoStar) operating on T-Mobile's network with broader retail distribution than FreedomPop. Represents a scaled incumbent in the same prepaid category.
• Metro by T-Mobile: Metro is T-Mobile's owned prepaid brand with nationwide retail footprint and aggressive promotional pricing. Competes head-on with FreedomPop's prepaid plans while benefiting from direct network ownership.
• Cricket Wireless: Cricket Wireless is AT&T's owned prepaid brand operating on the same GSMA network FreedomPop resells. Represents the carrier-owned competitive threat at the same price points with deeper integration.
• TracFone: TracFone (now under Verizon) is the largest U.S. MVNO with multi-brand prepaid offerings. Competes in the same prepaid value segment as FreedomPop at significantly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/freedompop4g
• Facebookfacebook.com/FreedomPop
• Instagraminstagram.com/freedompop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freedompop

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds9 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FreedomPop