FreedomPop

FreedomPop was co-founded by Stephen Stokols, CEO and Steven Sesar in 2011.{{cite web | url =http://www.twice.com/news/smartphones/freedompop-extends-free-and-low-cost-service-iphones/42203 | title = FreedomPop Extends Free And Low-Cost Service To iPhones | author = Joseph Palenchar | work = Twice | date = April 29, 2014 | access-date = June 4, 2014}} Prior to founding FreedomPop, Stokols served as CEO of Woo Media, a video-chat and entertainment startup.{{cite web | url =https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-16/skype-founder-s-new-startup-freedompop-picks-ceo.html | title = Skype Founder's New Startup, FreedomPop, Picks CEO | author = Olga Kharif | work = Bloomberg | date = August 16, 2012 | access-date = June 3, 2014}} FreedomPop partnered with LightSquared in December 2011, but ended its partnership after LightSquared did not receive Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval to build out its network.{{cite magazine|last=Woyke |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethwoyke/2012/02/09/freedompop-replacing-lightsquared-with-other-carrier-as-free-broadband-launch-partner/ |title= FreedomPop Replacing LightSquared With Other Carrier As 'Free Broadband' Launch Partner |magazine=Forbes |date=February 9, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2012}} FreedomPop began selling 4G only hotspots in October 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5950625/freedompop-provides-free-wireless-internet-access|title=FreedomPop Provides Free Wireless Internet Access You Can Take (Almost) Anywhere|author=Adam Dachis|publisher=Lifehacker|date=October 10, 2012|access-date=August 4, 2015}} The company began offering mobile and wireless internet services in the United States using Clearwire's 4G network.{{cite web | url =http://www.mobilitytechzone.com/topics/4g-wirelessevolution/articles/2013/10/09/356213-freedompop-takes-shot-carriers-with-free-cell-phone.htm | title = FreedomPop Takes a Shot at Carriers with Free Cell Phone Service Offer | author = Joe Rizzo | work = Mobility Tech Zone | date = October 9, 2013 | access-date = June 3, 2014}}{{cite web | url =http://pando.com/2012/12/18/as-sprint-and-clearwire-get-closer-freedompop-has-a-smile-on-its-face/ | title = As Sprint and Clearwire get closer, FreedomPop has a smile on its face | author = Nathaniel Mott | work = Pando Daily | date =December 18, 2012 | access-date = June 3, 2014}}{{cite web | url =http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2012/03/freedompop-partners-with-clearwire-to.html | title = FreedomPop partners with Clearwire to offer free mobile data access | author = Emily Parkhurst | work = Puget Sound Business Journal | date = March 27, 2012 | access-date = June 3, 2014}} FreedomPop converted 20% of its free user base to paid users in December 2012.

In July 2012, FreedomPop raised $7.5 million in a first round of funding led by Mangrove Capital and Doll Capital Management.{{cite web | url =https://venturebeat.com/2012/07/10/freedompop-raises-7-5m-freemium-4g/ | title = FreedomPop raises $7.5M to free you from your carrier shackles (exclusive) | author = Devindra Hardawar| work = VentureBeat| date =July 10, 2012 | access-date = June 4, 2014}} In April 2013, FreedomPop partnered with Sprint to expand its coverage to include 3G and 4G with Sprint compatible devices.{{cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2013/04/24/freedompop-brings-its-free-internet-service-to-sprints-3g-network-launches-new-hotspot/ |title=FreedomPop brings its free internet service to Sprint's 3G network, launches new hotspot |work=VentureBeat |access-date=September 7, 2013}} The company raised an additional $4.3 million in a Series A1 financing from Mangrove Capital and Doll Capital Management in July 2013.{{cite magazine|last=Geron |first=Tomio |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomiogeron/2013/02/07/freedompop-adds-social-sharing-and-4-3-million/ |title= FreedomPop Adds Social Sharing, And $4.3 Million |magazine=Forbes |date=February 7, 2013 |access-date=February 26, 2013}} In October 2013, one year from its initial wireless broadband launch, FreedomPop launched its beta free mobile phone plan that included voice, text, and data service.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/3018690/tech-forecast/on-its-first-birthday-freedompop-debuts-free-phone-plan|title=On its first birthday, FreedomPop debuts free phone plan|author=Alice Truong|magazine=Fast Company|date=October 1, 2013|access-date=June 17, 2014}} In November FreedomPop launched a bring your own device for Sprint-compatible phones.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/11/19/freedompop-now-lets-you-bring-your-own-phone/|title=FreedomPop now lets you bring your own phone, offers $99 HTC Evo 4G|author=Jon Fingas|date=November 19, 2013 |access-date=July 27, 2014}}

FreedomPop began supporting and selling Sprint-compatible iPhones in April 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/freedompop-announces-free-voice-and-data-plans-for-iphone/|title=FreedomPop announces free voice and data plans for iPhone|author=Jason D. O'Grady|work=ZDNet|date=April 29, 2014|access-date=June 17, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://recode.net/2014/04/28/freedompop-to-sell-first-apple-devices-offering-iphone-5-with-its-free-and-low-cost-plans/|title=FreedomPop to Sell First Apple Devices, Offering iPhone 5 With Its Free and Low-Cost Plans|author=Ina Fried|publisher=Recode|date=April 28, 2014|access-date=June 17, 2014}} The company also released an iOS app that offers voice, text and voicemail service to users within the United States. A month later, in May 2014, FreedomPop began supporting LTE Android smartphones.{{cite web|url=http://gigaom.com/2014/05/22/freedompop-joins-the-ranks-of-carriers-offering-limited-unlimited-data-plans/|title=FreedomPop joins the ranks of carriers offering limited "unlimited" data plans|author=Kevin Fitchard|publisher=Gigaom|date=May 22, 2014|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=December 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206015158/https://gigaom.com/2014/05/22/freedompop-joins-the-ranks-of-carriers-offering-limited-unlimited-data-plans/|url-status=dead}} In July the company announced it would soon be offering SIM card-based plans in Belgium in partnership with Dutch carrier KPN.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/07/10/freedompop-brings-its-free-wireless-service-to-europe-sans-handsets/|title=FreedomPop Brings Its Free Wireless Service To Europe, Sans Handsets|author=Ingrid Lunden|date=July 10, 2014|access-date=July 27, 2014}} FreedomPop does not sell mobile devices outside of the United States. In July 2014, FreedomPop began offering its free 4G data, voice and text plans to tablet users, starting with the iPad Mini and the Samsung Tab 3. The free data, voice and text plan is offered to those purchasing a tablet through FreedomPop or other eligible bring your own device Sprint devices.{{cite web | url = http://9to5mac.com/2014/07/30/freedompop-brings-its-free-voice-text-data-plans-to-tablets-including-a-319-ipad-mini/ | title = FreedomPop brings its free voice, text & data plans to tablets including a $319 iPad mini | author = Jordan Kahn | publisher = 9to5 Mac| date=July 30, 2014|access-date=August 4, 2014}}{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2014/07/30/freedompop-tablet-support/ | title = FreedomPop's free data and voice are now available on tablets | author = Jon Fingas | publisher = Engadget | date = July 30, 2014 | access-date = August 4, 2014}} In October 2014, FreedomPop announced its own branded-line of low-cost smartphones and tablets. The first release was a 7-inch Wi-Fi only tablet, the FreedomPop Liberty, which has free voice and SMS text messaging.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/products/freedompop-liberty/|title=Crazy-big, stupid-cheap FreedomPop Liberty boasts 7-inch screen for $90|author=Jessica Dolcourt|website=CNET|date=October 1, 2014|access-date=October 8, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://gigaom.com/2014/10/01/freedompop-starts-making-its-own-low-cost-smartphones-starting-with-a-7-inch-phablet/|title=FreedomPop starts making its own low-cost smartphones, starting with a 7-inch phablet|author=Kevin Fitchard|publisher=Gigaom|date=October 1, 2014|access-date=October 8, 2014|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127170506/https://gigaom.com/2014/10/01/freedompop-starts-making-its-own-low-cost-smartphones-starting-with-a-7-inch-phablet/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/freedompop-making-own-tablets-smartphones,27797.html|title=FreedomPop Breaks New Ground, Begins Making Own Tablets And Smartphones|author=Seth Colaner|publisher=Tom's Hardware|date=October 1, 2014|access-date=October 8, 2014}}

In June 2019, it was announced that the FreedomPop's remaining retail business and brand name had been sold to Red Pocket Mobile, alongside FreedomPop's GSMA customer base.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-freedompop-stokols-20170825-htmlstory.html|title=1 million people pay nothing for cellphone service, so how does FreedomPop make money?|work=Los Angeles Times|last=Paresh|first=Dave|date=August 25, 2017|access-date=July 13, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sprint-corp-m-a-t-mobile-freedompop/sts-media-gears-up-to-bid-for-boost-mobile-with-sale-of-freedompop-idUSKCN1T810T|title=STS Media gears up to bid for Boost Mobile with sale of FreedomPop|work=Reuters|date=June 7, 2019|access-date=July 14, 2019}} Full terms of the deal were not disclosed.{{Cite web|url=https://bestmvno.com/freedompop/freedompop-has-been-acquired-by-red-pocket-mobile/|title=FreedomPop Has Been Acquired By Red Pocket Mobile|date=June 7, 2019|website=BestMVNO|language=en-US|access-date=June 13, 2019}}

In July 2019, FreedomPop emailed some of its customers to let them know it had transferred their numbers to the MVNO Ting: "FreedomPop and UNREAL Mobile have made a deal to move all customers currently on the Sprint network to Ting Mobile, an industry-leading service provider on the Sprint Network."

In January 2015, FreedomPop started the first aggregated nationwide wifi.{{cite web

|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/free-phone-service-freedompop-to-offer-wi-fi-first-smartphone/

|title=Free phone service FreedomPop to offer Wi-Fi first smartphone

|author=Whitney, Lance

|date=November 3, 2015

|access-date=March 4, 2016

|work=Cnet}}{{cite web|url=https://gigaom.com/2015/01/21/freedompop-cobbles-together-a-wi-fi-network-of-10m-hotspots/|title=FreedomPop cobbles together a Wi-Fi network of 10M hotspots|author=Kevin Fitchard|publisher=Gigaom|date=January 21, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=November 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129020421/https://gigaom.com/2015/01/21/freedompop-cobbles-together-a-wi-fi-network-of-10m-hotspots/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/01/23/a-year-with-freedompop-how-did-it-go/|title=A year with FreedomPop: how did it go?|author=Erica Sadun|publisher=Engadget|date=January 23, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015}} The service offers consumers unlimited voice, text and wifi for $5 per month.{{cite news | url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2015/01/21/could-this-new-freedompop-wi-fi-service-be-an-alternative-to-wireless-bills/ | title=Could This New FreedomPop Wi-Fi Service Be an Alternative to Wireless Bills? | newspaper=Wall Street Journal | date=January 21, 2015 | access-date=February 20, 2015 | author1=Knutson, Ryan|author2=Gryta, Thomas}}{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/01/21/freedompop-wifi/|title=FreedomPop Turns On Unlimited Wi-Fi Across The US For $5/Month|author=Ingrid Lunden|publisher=Tech Crunch|date=January 21, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.androidcentral.com/freedompop-offers-unlimited-access-its-wifi-network-5-month|title=FreedomPop offers unlimited access to its Wi-Fi network for $5 a month|author=John Callaham|date=January 21, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2873736/freedompop-launches-5-unlimited-wifi-service-plans-wifi-phone.html|title=FreedomPop launches $5 unlimited Wi-Fi service, plans Wi-Fi phone|author=Stephen Lawson|magazine=PC World|date=January 21, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015}} In May 2015, FreedomPop announced an expansion into the UK with free mobile data, voice and text.{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/07/10/freedompop-brings-its-free-wireless-service-to-europe-sans-handsets/|title=FreedomPop Brings Its Free Wireless Service To Europe, Sans Handsets|author=Ingrid Lunden|work=TechCrunch|date=July 10, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://recode.net/2015/05/12/freedompop-expands-into-europe-as-it-weighs-investment-or-sale/ | title=FreedomPop Expands Into Europe as It Weighs Investment or Sale | publisher=Recode | date=May 12, 2015 | access-date=June 30, 2015 | author=Fried, Ina}}{{cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/05/12/as-acquisition-rumors-swirl-free-mobile-service-freedompop-goes-live-in-the-uk/ | title=As Acquisition Rumors Swirl, Free Mobile Service FreedomPop Goes Live In The UK | work=TechCrunch | date=May 12, 2015 | access-date=June 30, 2015 | author=Lunden, Ingrid}} The company will be operating through a sim-only service.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32704051 | title=Free mobile voice, text and data plans coming to UK | publisher=BBC | date=May 13, 2015 | access-date=May 20, 2015 | author=Simmons, Dan}}{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/13/freedompop-bringing-free-mobile-calls-texts-data-service-to-uk | title=FreedomPop bringing free mobile calls, texts and data service to the UK | newspaper=The Guardian | date=May 13, 2015 | access-date=May 20, 2015 | author=Gibbs, Samuel}} In September 2015, FreedomPop announced free and low-cost iPhone plans in the United States and plans to sell the iPhone 6S in October.{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/09/22/freedompop-launches-in-the-uk-intros-free-and-19month-iphone-only-plans-in-us/|title=FreedomPop Launches In The UK, Intros Free And $18/Month iPhone-Only Plans In US|work=TechCrunch|author=Ingrid Lunden|date=September 22, 2015|access-date=October 6, 2015}} FreedomPop also announced the launch of its free mobile-phone service in the UK.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/11885863/Freedompop-launches-free-4G-mobile-service-in-UK.html|title=Freedompop launches free 4G mobile service in UK|newspaper=The Telegraph|author=Christopher Williams|date=September 23, 2015|access-date=October 6, 2015}} In November 2015, FreedomPop announced a partnership with Intel to create a WiFi-focused smartphone. The smartphone will be based on Intel's Sofia mobile chipset and be able to switch between WiFi and cellular during a phone call.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/aarontilley/2015/11/03/intel-works-with-freedompop-to-cut-out-carriers-in-new-wifi-based-smartphone/|title=Intel Works With FreedomPop To Cut Out Carriers In New WiFi-Focused Smartphone|magazine=Forbes|date=November 3, 2015}}

In June 2015, FreedomPop raised $30 million in a Series B funding round led by Partech Ventures with participation from Doll Capital Management and Mangrove Capital. The company announced $10 million in funding led by Axiata in July 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/07/30/freedompop-raises-10m-more-inks-strategic-deal-with-new-investor-asian-carrier-axiata/|title=FreedomPop Raises $10M More, Inks Strategic Deal With New Investor, Asian Carrier Axiata|last=Lunden|first=Ingrid|website=TechCrunch|date=July 30, 2015|access-date=August 4, 2015}} FreedomPop received an investment from Intel in November 2015, which the company planned to use to build out a new broadband service to rival Google Project Fi.{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/11/03/intel-invests-22m-in-10-startups-500m-this-year/|title=Intel Puts $22M In 10 Startups, With A Stake In FreedomPop To Launch A Rival To Google's Project Fi|work=TechCrunch|date=November 3, 2015}} The firm has raised over $109 million in financing, including a $50 million Series C in early 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2015/07/30/freedompop-mobile-asia/|title=FreedomPop heads to Southeast Asia with its free mobile plan in tow|author=Kevin Fitchard|publisher=Fortune|date=July 30, 2015|access-date=August 4, 2015}} In January 2016, six months after its Series B round of $36 million, FreedomPop raised $50 million in a Series C round for global expansion of its services.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/aarontilley/2016/01/20/freedompop-raises-50-million-adds-free-data-roaming-in-25-countries/#118c5bba6bd1 | title=FreedomPop Raises $50 Million, Adds Low Cost Data Roaming In 25 Countries | magazine=Forbes | date=January 20, 2016 | access-date=February 10, 2016 | author=Tilley, Aaron}} The company has raised a total of $109 million.{{cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/20/freedompop-raises-another-50m-launches-free-global-data-hotspot-and-sim/#.rextz0t:6Gog | title=FreedomPop Raises Another $50M, Launches "Free" Global Data Hotspot And SIM | work=TechCrunch | date=January 20, 2016 | access-date=February 10, 2016 | author=Lunden, Ingrid}}

In April 2016, FreedomPop announced that its services would become available in Spain, making it the company's third supported country following the US and UK. FreedomPop launched its free mobile platform in Spain for users of the FreedomPop SIM in July 2016.{{cite web | url = http://www.fiercewireless.com/europe/press-releases/freedompop-officially-launches-spains-first-100-free-mobile-service-free-vo | title = FreedomPop Officially Launches Spain's First 100% Free Mobile Service with free voice, data, text and WhatsApp for life | publisher = FierceWireless | date = July 13, 2016 | access-date = July 22, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160721025916/http://www.fiercewireless.com/europe/press-releases/freedompop-officially-launches-spains-first-100-free-mobile-service-free-vo | archive-date = July 21, 2016 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | url = https://www.wirelessweek.com/news/2016/07/freedompop-launches-service-spain-sharable-data | title = FreedomPop Launches Service in Spain, Sharable Data | publisher = WirelessWeek | date = July 12, 2016 | access-date = July 22, 2016 | last = Goovaerts | first = Diana}} By August 2016, the company offered zero-rated WhatsApp usage in more than 30 countries, including the US and Spain.{{cite news|author=Lunden, Ingrid|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/04/20/freedompop-expands-to-spain-adds-in-zero-rated-whatsapp-voice-and-text-to-its-free-plan/|title=FreedomPop now offers zero-rated apps, starting with WhatsApp voice and text in Spain|work=TechCrunch|date=April 20, 2016|access-date=May 20, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.androidauthority.com/freedompop-sim-card-unlimited-free-whatsapp-710626/|title=The new FreedomPop SIM card lets you use unlimited WhatsApp for free|author=Kris Carlon|publisher=Android Authority|date=August 17, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016}}

By November 2017, the company had partnered with Target to sell its handsets, SIM cards and services.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/freedompop-launches-1-100-target-stores-major-retail-expansion|title=FreedomPop launches in 1,100 Target stores in major retail expansion|publisher=Fierce Wireless|author=Colin Gibbs}} In 2018, FreedomPop licensed its customer conversion platform to Prudential Financial.{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/06/freedompop-moves-into-financial-services-in-partnership-with-prudential/|title=FreedomPop moves into financial services, in partnership with Prudential|work=TechCrunch|author=Ingrid Lunden}}

Jared Newman, a Time reporter, reviewed FreedomPop's core service in June 2013. Newman reported that some service fees were not clearly noted on FreedomPop's homepage. FreedomPop responded to the criticism by waiving the active status fee for new users as of July 2013.{{cite magazine |last=Newman |first=Jared |date=June 5, 2013 |url=https://techland.time.com/2013/06/05/freedompops-free-wireless-would-be-cool-if-it-wasnt-so-shady/ |title=FreedomPop's Free Wireless Would Be Cool If It Wasn't So Shady |magazine=Time}}{{cite magazine|last=Geron |first=Tomio |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomiogeron/2013/06/05/data-for-nothing-calls-for-free-how-freedompop-will-offer-free-phone-service/ |title=Data For Nothing, Calls For Free: How FreedomPop Will Offer Free Phone Service |magazine=Forbes |date=June 5, 2013 |access-date=December 18, 2013}}

The service offered by FreedomPop is designed for "light users",{{cite web | url=http://bgr.com/2014/04/29/iphone-5-freedompop-free-data/ | title=You can now get completely free calling, texting and data on your iPhone | publisher=BGR | date=April 29, 2014 | access-date=February 26, 2015 | author=Epstein, Zach}} while paid options include unlimited talk and text with an option to add high-speed data. The "Unlimited Everything Plan" introduced in May drops from 4G LTE data to 3G after 1 GB of data is used within a billing cycle. In June 2015, this drops to 256 kbit/s for users that signed up before June 2015 or 128 kbit/s for users who signed up after June 2015. The service is only available in select locations.{{cite web | url=https://www.cnet.com/news/free-phone-service-freedompop-unveils-20-dollar-unlimited-plan/ | title=Free phone service FreedomPop unveils $20 'Unlimited' plan | website=CNET | date=May 22, 2014 | access-date=February 26, 2015 | author=Whitney, Lance}} The carrier reportedly has good coverage, though the call quality "can be an issue," according to Clark Howard.{{cite web | url=http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/technology/smartphone-guide/nbWF4/ | title=Smartphone and Data Plan Guide for 2015 | date=February 23, 2015 | access-date=February 26, 2015 | author=Howard, Clark}}

In January 2016, FreedomPop added a roaming SIM, known as the "Global SIM", for free data abroad use in the United States and United Kingdom. Service is provided by a global mobile connection service Fogg Mobile which uses AT&T and T-Mobile as roaming partners in the United States. The company announced plans to expand roaming coverage to Southeast Asia and Latin America by the end of 2016.{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/01/20/freedompop-global-sim/ | title=FreedomPop's latest free SIM plan includes international data | publisher=Engadget | date=January 20, 2016 | access-date=February 10, 2016 | author=Rigg, Jamie}}{{cite web

|url=http://fortune.com/2015/07/30/freedompop-mobile-asia/

|title=FreedomPop heads to Southeast Asia with its free mobile plan in tow

|author=Fitchard, Kevin

|date=July 30, 2015

|access-date=March 4, 2016

|work=Fortune}} On October 17, 2018, Freedompop informed the UK users of the Global SIM that this service would be discontinued on October 20. It justified this on the grounds of poor performance of its service partner. The users were encouraged to switch to an LTE national SIM, which unlike the Global SIM, provides coverage only inside the UK. The Global SIMs were deactivated a few days later.

In November 2016, FreedomPop launched FreedomShop in the United States, Britain, Mexico and Spain, to sell refurbished smartphones at up to 80% off the manufacturer's suggested retail price.{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2016/11/17/freedompop-used-smartphones/|title=FreedomPop is Now Selling Used Smartphones for Cheap|publisher=Fortune|date=November 17, 2016|access-date=March 21, 2017}}

On July 2, 2017, FreedomPop started throttling users who did not pay for their new $4.99 Speed Boost Service. Users with free plans without the service were throttled to 1 Mbit/s while users of paid plans were throttled to 5 Mbit/s.https://support.freedompop.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3401/kw/speed {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} However, this throttling only affected users on the Sprint network and not the Global or LTE SIM.

On August 28, 2017, FreedomPop reduced the total extra data from Freedom Friends 1000 MB to 500 MB.{{cite web |url=https://support.freedompop.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2186/kw/friends |title=How to earn extra data? (Freedom Friends) |website=support.freedompop.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118165717/https://support.freedompop.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2186/kw/friends |archive-date=2018-11-18}} Previously, a user would get a maximum of 500 MB every month from adding Freedom Friends then their friends could share data to that user for an additional 500 MB. With the new change, if a user has the maximum 500 MB from adding Freedom Friends then they can not receive any more data through data sharing.

On July 10, 2018, FreedomPop reduced the total extra data from Freedom Friends from 500 MB to 50 MB.{{Cite web|url=https://support.freedompop.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2186/kw/friends|title=How to earn extra data? (Freedom Friends)|website=support.freedompop.com|language=en-US|access-date=July 13, 2018|archive-date=November 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118165717/https://support.freedompop.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2186/kw/friends|url-status=dead}}

On October 15, 2020, FreedomPop announced native cellular service—users no longer need the FreedomPop Messaging app for calling and texting. Other upgraded features include FaceTime calls over the cellular network and compatibility with major banking and other mobile applications, unlimited iMessages and RCS text messages (WiFi only). Free service level still includes unlimited WiFi calling/texts, but cellular limits are reduced to 10 minutes of voice, 10 texts, and 25 MB of LTE data.{{Cite web|url=https://support.freedompop.com/hc/en-us/articles/360055120873|title=Complete Guide to Freemium Service|website=support.freedompop.com|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823053748/https://support.freedompop.com/hc/en-us/articles/360055120873|url-status=dead}}

As of December 2020, the SIM card offered requires Android version 4.3 or IOS 8.2 and above. Conventional mobile phones are not supported.

As of June 2024, the free/freemium plans are no longer available. The base plan is $10/month for 1GB of high-speed 5G data.{{Cite web|url=https://wireless.freedompop.com/plans|title=Choose Your Plan |website=wireless.freedompop.com|access-date=June 20, 2024}}

In 2015, The Economist recognized FreedomPop and its "Wi-Fi first" technology, noting that the company developed the idea for its customers to send texts and make calls over Wi-Fi connections primarily when available.{{cite news | url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21654602-wi-fi-first-technology-will-be-great-consumers-disruptive-mobile-firms-change | title=Change is in the air | newspaper=The Economist | date=June 20, 2015 | access-date=June 30, 2015}} According to an Engadget report, FreedomPop's SIM-only service in the UK had strong signal quality with minor call quality issues and is meant for light streamers. The report noted that the service is a "seriously attractive alternative" to major carriers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/11/05/uk-freedompop-review/|title=A week with FreedomPop in the UK: You can't argue with free|publisher=Engadget|date=November 5, 2015|access-date=December 20, 2015|author=Jamie Rigg}}

Merely disputing a FreedomPop charge by filing a complaint with your financial institution results in the summary termination of the user's services altogether as described on their support webpage: "Unfortunately, filing a dispute claim is a violation of the Terms of Service agreement and you will not be able to continue services."{{Cite web|url=https://support.freedompop.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3250/~/what-happens-if-i-file-a-billing-dispute-with-my-bank%3F|title=What happens if I file a billing dispute with my bank|access-date=June 17, 2019|archive-date=June 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617164426/https://support.freedompop.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3250/~/what-happens-if-i-file-a-billing-dispute-with-my-bank%3F|url-status=dead}}

FreedomPop uses T-Mobile's and AT&T's networks in the United States.{{cite news|last=Velazco |first=Chris |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/07/11/freedompop-sprint-team-up-to-broaden-reach-of-their-freemium-internet-service/ |title=FreedomPop Teams With Sprint To Broaden Reach Of Its Freemium Internet Service |work=TechCrunch |date=July 10, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2012}}{{cite web | url = http://gigaom.com/2013/01/08/freedompop-textplus-team-up-to-offer-freemium-voice-sms-service/ | title = FreedomPop, textPlus team up to offer freemium voice, SMS service | author = Kevin Fitchard | work = Gigaom | date = January 8, 2013 | access-date = June 4, 2014 | archive-date = January 27, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220127180644/https://gigaom.com/2013/01/08/freedompop-textplus-team-up-to-offer-freemium-voice-sms-service/ | url-status = dead }}

In 2015 the company announced its plans to expand internationally to the UK on Three's network.{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/11600505/Free-mobile-phone-service-FreedomPop-to-launch-in-UK.html| title=Free mobile phone service FreedomPop to launch in UK |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=May 13, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |author=Trotman, Andrew}}

In early 2016, FreedomPop launched a global SIM with Free mobile data across 25 countries, including the US and UK.{{cite web

|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/20/freedompop-raises-another-50m-launches-free-global-data-hotspot-and-sim/

|title=FreedomPop Raises Another $50M, Launches "Free" Global Data Hotspot and SIM

|author=Lunden, Ingrid

|date=January 20, 2016

|access-date=March 4, 2016

|work=TechCrunch}}

In late 2016, FreedomPop launched an LTE SIM utilizing AT&T's network.{{cite web

|url=https://www.wirefly.com/blog/news/freedompop-launches-sims-lte-hotspot-can-work-att-s-network

|title=FreedomPop Launches SIMs, LTE Hotspot That Can Work On AT&T's Network

|author=Canencia, Guile

|date=December 16, 2016

|access-date=January 24, 2017

|work=WireFly}}

In January 2018, users reported that FreedomPop sent customers e-mails noting that the Globe SIM will incur a $4.99 a month charge, asking users to switch to the LTE GSM SIM to avoid charges.{{Cite news|url=https://forums.freedompop.com/us/discussion/32182/free-global-sim-plan-turning-into-a-5-month-plan|title=Free Global Sim plan turning into a $5/month plan?|work=FreedomPop Community|access-date=September 11, 2018|archive-date=September 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912022135/https://forums.freedompop.com/us/discussion/32182/free-global-sim-plan-turning-into-a-5-month-plan|url-status=dead}}

As of September 2018, FreedomPop LTE SIM users are required to have a non-refundable "top-off" balance or credit of $20.00 in their account to use the "Basic 200 free" plan. This "top-off" balance will expire if not used for 30 day and users will be charged $20 again if they go over data limit.

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