FreedomPop’s free wireless plan (dubbed Freemium) provides 25 MB data per month. Although that’s not much, it’s in addition to:
Unlimited Wi-Fi calling10 cellular voice minutesUnlimited iMessages and RCS text messages (WiFi only)10 cellular text messages
If you exceed the free 25 MB data monthly allotment, the company upgrades your account to 500MB of LTE data (good for 30 days from the date of upgrade) for $8. You can add more LTE data in increments starting at $4. FreedomPop offers other low-cost plans, too, and sometimes runs special offers. Load up the Wi-Fi Free Spot directory page for your state, and check for participating locations close to your house. If you’re fortunate, all you may have to do is move your laptop from one side of the house to the other to tap into a nearby free Wi-Fi network. This program doesn’t offer internet access directly. Instead, it provides a monthly stipend that you can use to pay a phone or internet bill. If you qualify and choose an inexpensive internet plan, the Lifeline stipend may be enough to cover the entire bill. Discounts can drive down the cost of internet service, too. Pay attention to the length of the discount period, however; you might end up paying a lot more than you want to when it runs out. If you already have cable and phone service and can’t afford to add internet service, call to see what options your service provider offers. They may be able to bundle an inexpensive internet package with your existing service at no extra cost, especially if you suggest that you’re thinking about looking elsewhere for television and phone service. Consider paying a little either in cash or your time in exchange, especially if you use a lot of bandwidth. If they prefer to keep their network private for security concerns, that’s a perfectly acceptable response—but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Although municipal wireless networks aren’t yet widespread, checking if your city has one is worth the effort.
