Understanding Free Phone Plans

What you actually get with your Lifeline or ACP benefit.

Features That Vary by Provider

While the government provides the funding, private companies (wireless carriers) provide the actual service. This means plans can look different depending on who you choose and where you live.

Talk & Text

Standard: Almost all Lifeline plans come with unlimited domestic talk and text.

Variations: Some carriers may offer international calling credits or roaming, but this is less common.

Data Allowances

Standard: The minimum standard is 4.5GB of data, but most competitive providers offer significantly more.

Variations: Many "Unlimited" plans have high-speed caps (e.g., 10GB or 15GB at 5G speeds) before slowing down.

Important Promise

We do not guarantee specific data caps or speeds on this website. You must check the "Terms of Service" or "Plan Details" on the official application page of the provider you select.

Common Add-Ons

Mobile Hotspot
Voicemail & Caller ID
911 Access