StandUp Wireless
StandUp Wireless, operated by Global Connection Inc. of America, is an MVNO providing free government-subsidized Lifeline wireless service to eligible low-income households across 40+ approved states, plus $5/month prepaid plans. The company has served over 5 million customers across 47 states and Puerto Rico over 20 years.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersNewport, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What StandUp Wireless does
StandUp Wireless, operated by Global Connection Inc. of America (a Maryland-incorporated corporation), is a Lifeline-focused mobile virtual network operator headquartered in Miami, Florida. The company delivers free monthly wireless service — including talk, text, and data — to low-income households that qualify for the federal Lifeline program, operating on America's largest 5G network through an underlying carrier MVNO relationship that supports GSM 4G LTE/5G devices via eSIM or physical SIM. Service is enabled by integration with the federally administered National Verifier for real-time eligibility verification, with a self-serve online enrollment flow that takes roughly two minutes. The company is approved as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in 40 states plus Puerto Rico, with operational presence in 47 states and Puerto Rico, and holds a separate California LifeLine Program provider designation from the CPUC.
Beyond the Lifeline core, StandUp runs a commercial prepaid sub-brand (StandUp Prepaid) with plans starting at $5/month for non-qualifying consumers, complemented by Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) compatibility checks, TopUp add-on minutes/data purchases, and 24/7 phone-based customer support. The revenue model is primarily subscription-recurring: federal Universal Service Fund subsidies flow per Lifeline subscriber, supplemented by usage-based TopUp purchases and a smaller prepaid subscription layer. Customer acquisition is largely product-led through organic search and direct online application, with phone and chat support assisting enrollment, activation, and recertification. Over 20 years, the company reports serving more than 5 million people and maintains a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating across 75,000+ verified reviews. The workforce is sized at 101-250 employees, and leadership comprises Paul Greene (CEO) and Nathan Stierwalt (COO, CSO & CMO).
StandUp Wireless firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- StandUp Wireless
- Legal name
- Global Connection Inc. of America d/b/a StandUp Wireless
- Website
- https://standupwireless.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- StandUp Wireless, operated by Global Connection Inc. of America, is an MVNO providing free government-subsidized Lifeline wireless service to eligible low-income households across 40+ approved states, plus $5/month prepaid plans. The company has served over 5 million customers across 47 states and Puerto Rico over 20 years.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
StandUp Wireless industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wireless Telecommunications Services
- NAICS
- Telecommunications Resellers (517121)
- SIC
- Radiotelephone Communications (4812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Broadband Providers (HDAIABAE)
Keywords
Where StandUp Wireless is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newport
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
StandUp Wireless business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Lifeline Government Subsidy: StandUp Wireless receives federal Universal Service Fund subsidies through the Lifeline program to provide free wireless service to eligible low-income consumers. The government pays the carrier a per-subscriber subsidy to cover the cost of basic telecommunications service. Subscribers pay nothing for their service as it is fully subsidized.
- Prepaid TopUp Plans: Additional airtime and data purchases for both Lifeline subscribers who need extra minutes/data beyond their included allotments, and non-qualifying customers who purchase prepaid plans starting at $5/month. These are pay-as-you-go purchases for 30-day service periods.
- Prepaid Service Plans: StandUp Wireless offers prepaid wireless plans starting at $5/month for customers who do not qualify for Lifeline. These plans provide affordable wireless service without contracts or credit checks, with flexible monthly options and the ability to add data anytime.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Lifeline Free Service (Qualifying Customers) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Basic Prepaid Plan |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | TopUp Add-Ons |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
StandUp Wireless product offering
Product offeringCore offering
StandUp Wireless provides free monthly wireless service (talk, text, and 4.5 GB of data) to eligible low-income U.S. households through the federal Lifeline program, running on America's largest 5G network as an MVNO. For customers who do not qualify for Lifeline, the company offers affordable prepaid wireless plans starting at $5/month with no contracts, no credit checks, and bring-your-own-device support.
Product overview
StandUp Wireless operates as a Lifeline provider offering a dual-product portfolio: (1) the Lifeline Program as its core offering, providing free monthly talk, text, and data to eligible low-income households on America's largest 5G network; and (2) Prepaid Plans as a commercial alternative starting at $5/month for customers who do not qualify for Lifeline. The service supports Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), allowing customers to bring compatible phones and keep their numbers. TopUp Plans enable customers to add additional minutes and data. For California residents, the company offers a state-specific California LifeLine Program sub-brand with additional eligibility options.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- StandUp Prepaid: Affordable prepaid wireless plans starting at $5 per month for customers who do not qualify for Lifeline benefits.
Products and services
- Lifeline Program Federal government-supported wireless service providing free monthly talk, text, and data to eligible low-income households. Includes 1,000 minutes, unlimited texts, and 4.5 GB of data on America's largest 5G network with no contracts, no monthly bills, and no hidden fees.
- Prepaid Plans (StandUp Prepaid)
- California LifeLine Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 4.5/5 star customer rating from 75,000+ verified reviews
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use StandUp Wireless
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
StandUp Wireless technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
StandUp Wireless partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Underlying Carrier NetworkcoreStandUp Wireless operates as an MVNO using the network infrastructure and facilities of an underlying wireless carrier. This partnership provides access to America's largest 5G network, enabling nationwide coverage for StandUp Wireless customers. The underlying carrier provides the physical network infrastructure while StandUp handles customer service, billing, and Lifeline program administration.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
StandUp Wireless competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Safelink Wireless: Safelink Wireless is a Lifeline MVNO (operated under TracFone/Verizon) offering free monthly talk, text, and data to eligible low-income households, directly comparable to StandUp's Lifeline offering on program design and digital enrollment.
- AirVoice Wireless: AirVoice Wireless is a Lifeline MVNO providing free and low-cost wireless service under the Lifeline program, with overlapping program positioning and consumer segments relative to StandUp Wireless.
- Q Link Wireless: Q Link Wireless is a Lifeline MVNO providing free monthly wireless service through the federal Lifeline program with similar eligibility-verified enrollment and prepaid add-on offerings, making it a closely comparable Lifeline peer.
- Assurance Wireless: Assurance Wireless is one of the largest Lifeline MVNOs in the U.S., providing free monthly wireless service to eligible low-income consumers on a major carrier's network — directly comparable to StandUp Wireless in product, customer base, and Lifeline program orientation.
- Life Wireless: Life Wireless is a Lifeline MVNO offering free monthly wireless service under federal and state Lifeline programs with a similar USF-subsidy-plus-prepaid-add-on model to StandUp Wireless.
- Tag Mobile: Tag Mobile is a Lifeline MVNO delivering federal Lifeline-supported wireless service to eligible consumers, with comparable program design, subscriber segments, and digital enrollment approach to StandUp Wireless.
Broad incumbents
- Mint Mobile: Mint Mobile is a prepaid MVNO on T-Mobile's network offering low-cost monthly plans with a comparable prepaid positioning and asset-light MVNO business model to StandUp Wireless.
- Consumer Cellular: Consumer Cellular is a no-contract, no-credit-check wireless service provider targeting older adults and budget-conscious consumers, overlapping with StandUp's value proposition and price-sensitive target segments.
- Cricket Wireless: Cricket Wireless is AT&T's prepaid brand operating with no contracts and price-conscious positioning, competing for adjacent budget-conscious wireless customers in the same prepaid no-credit-check space as StandUp.
- TracFone: TracFone is one of the largest prepaid MVNOs in the U.S. (now owned by Verizon) and operates Safelink Wireless, making it a broader incumbent across both Lifeline and prepaid wireless service.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
StandUp Wireless social profiles
Digital presenceStandUp Wireless financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
StandUp Wireless leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
StandUp Wireless subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
StandUp Wireless funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
StandUp Wireless M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about StandUp Wireless
What does StandUp Wireless do?
StandUp Wireless provides free monthly wireless service (talk, text, and 4.5 GB of data) to eligible low-income U.S. households through the federal Lifeline program, running on America's largest 5G network as an MVNO. For customers who do not qualify for Lifeline, the company offers affordable prepaid wireless plans starting at $5/month with no contracts, no credit checks, and bring-your-own-device support.
Is StandUp Wireless a public or private company?
StandUp Wireless is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was StandUp Wireless founded?
StandUp Wireless was founded in 2004. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is StandUp Wireless based?
StandUp Wireless is headquartered in Newport, United States, in the North America region.
How does StandUp Wireless make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Lifeline Government Subsidy is the primary driver. The others are prepaid TopUp Plans and prepaid Service Plans.
Who are StandUp Wireless's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Safelink Wireless, AirVoice Wireless, Q Link Wireless, Assurance Wireless, Life Wireless and Tag Mobile. Broad incumbents are Mint Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Cricket Wireless and TracFone.
Does StandUp Wireless have an API?
No public API is recorded for StandUp Wireless.
What industry is StandUp Wireless in?
StandUp Wireless's product category is Wireless Telecommunications Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIABAE, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Broadband Providers. Its NAICS code is 517121 and its SIC code is 4812.