FreedomPop continues to make waves through its “free” service offerings, this week pushing its boldest offer yet. The company said it will offer “completely free” mobile services, including voice, messaging and data services. That’s a tough price to beat.
The offer provides for unlimited calling between FreedomPop customers, 200 anytime calling minutes, unlimited text messaging and up to 500 megabytes of “4G” data services. To provide the offer, FreedomPop relies on a voice over Internet Protocol platform that will be accessible later this summer across a handful of “popular” smartphones running Google’s Android operating system.
The device issue could be the biggest challenge for greater acceptance of the offering as a number of these services have been limited to sparse handset selections. Republic Wireless, which offers a flat-rate service for $19 per month that also relies on VoIP technology is currently limited to a single Motorola device that is a few generations old.
FreedomPop adds that the offering will be the first-ever all-data devices running “100% VoIP over cellular networks,” with Sprint Nextel providing the cellular network. FreedomPop has an extensive history with Sprint Nextel, having bolstered its initial reliance on Clearwire’s WiMAX network with 3G services from Sprint Nextel and more recently through an LTE agreement.
FreedomPop initially entered the market with a sleeve designed to fit Apple’s iPod Touch device that provided mobile broadband access across Clearwire’s network. That product retailed for $99 and provided 500 Mb of free data access. FreedomPop has since broadened its product portfolio with a wireless hotspot and was rumored to be working on a “clip” device targeting tablets to be launched later this year.
FreedomPop CEO and co-founder Stephen Stokols demonstrated the company’s wares at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
FreedomPop earlier this year raised $4.3 million in funding from existing investors DCM and Mangrove Capital, pushing its total funding to $11.2 million.
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