Free Phone Service With Qlink Wireless: What Is It & How to Get

What is QLink Wireless?

QLink Wireless is a non-profit organization that provides free and discounted cell phone service to low-income individuals in the United States. The service is made possible through the government’s Lifeline Assistance program, which aims to make communication services more affordable for qualifying low-income consumers. Lifeline subscribers can get either a free cell phone or a discounted plan from certain wireless carriers, including QLink Wireless (https://qlinkwireless.com/).

QLink Wireless service is available to residents of all 50 states, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. The service is provided on the nationwide networks of AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint, so coverage is quite extensive. QLink offers several plans that include a free phone, free monthly minutes, texts and data, voicemail, caller ID and more. The plans have no contracts and can be canceled anytime.

In addition to regular Lifeline plans, QLink also offers discounted wireless service through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with discounts on internet and/or phone service. Overall, QLink aims to connect qualifying individuals and families to free or low-cost cell phone service to help them stay connected.

Who is Eligible for a Free Phone from QLink?

To be eligible for a free phone and wireless service from QLink Wireless, you must either have a household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participate in certain government assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid (Lifeline Phone Program Eligibility). The specific income limits vary by state, but generally your household income must be around $17,000 a year or less for a single person.

If you are not low-income, you may still qualify for QLink’s free phone if you are enrolled in any of the following government assistance programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefits

QLink partners with the federal Lifeline program to provide this free wireless service, so the eligibility requirements are based on Lifeline criteria. You must verify your participation in one of these programs when applying for QLink service (How do I qualify for Q Link Wireless?). Income requirements and eligible government programs can vary by state, so be sure to check the requirements for your area.

How to Apply for a Free Phone from QLink

To apply for a free phone from QLink Wireless, you’ll need to complete an application either online or through the mail. According to QLink’s website, the application process typically takes 5-10 business days.

To apply online, go to https://www.qlinkwireless.com/enrollment and click on “Apply Now.” You’ll need to provide some basic information like your name, date of birth, and address. You’ll also need to verify your eligibility by providing documents like proof of participation in SNAP/Food Stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit, or proof of income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.

To mail in an application, you can print out the form from https://qlinkwireless.com/enroll and mail it to QLink Wireless – PO Box 995 – Fort Worth, TX 76101 along with copies of your eligibility documents.

Once QLink receives your application, they will verify your information and eligibility. If approved, you’ll receive a free phone shipped to your address within 1-2 weeks. You’ll also receive instructions on how to activate your new phone.

Phones Offered by QLink

QLink offers a variety of basic, flip, and smartphone options for eligible customers to choose from. They have phones from top brands like Apple, Samsung, LG, Motorola and more. Some of the smartphone options available through QLink include:

• iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone 8 – QLink offers various models of iPhones ranging from the SE to the iPhone 8. Customers can get an iPhone for free with the Lifeline program (https://qlinkwireless.com/customer).
• Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy A10e – QLink has several Samsung Galaxy models to choose from including the S7, S8, S9 and A10e.
• LG Stylo 5 – The LG Stylo 5 is one of the Android smartphone options available through QLink.
• Motorola Moto G7 Optimo – An affordable Motorola model offered is the Moto G7 Optimo.

In addition to smartphones, QLink also offers basic and flip phone options from brands like ZTE and Alcatel. Customers can browse all phone models available on the QLink website and select the one that best fits their needs and budget (https://qlinkwireless.com/customer). QLink mentions frequent promotions for free phones, so be sure to check their website for the latest deals.

QLink Service Plans

QLink offers several service plans to choose from for free cell phone service. All plans include unlimited talk and text. Data options range from 1GB to unlimited 4G LTE data per month.

Their basic plans include:

• 1GB of high speed data then 2G speeds after – https://qlinkwireless.com/lifeline-plans
• Unlimited talk and text
• Free SIM card with activation
• Bring Your Own Phone option available

Upgraded plans offer more high speed data:

• 3GB high speed data – $20/month
• 5GB high speed data – $30/month
• Unlimited 4G LTE data – $35/month

Video streaming is available on all plans, capped at 1.5 Mbps. Mobile hotspot use is allowed on all plans as well. QLink also offers discounted tablets and devices to use with their service plans.

Coverage Area for QLink Wireless

QLink Wireless provides coverage across all 50 U.S. states and nationwide networks including America’s most reliable 5G and 4G LTE networks. According to the QLink coverage map, QLink has strong coverage in most areas of the country.

Specifically, QLink utilizes multiple carrier networks including T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon to ensure its customers have the best coverage and speeds available. By leveraging multiple networks, QLink can provide coverage in rural areas and congested cities through roaming agreements.

The QLink coverage extends to over 99% of the U.S. population, covering millions of people in cities and rural towns across the country. Customers can check the QLink coverage map online to view the latest coverage details for their area before signing up.

Pros of QLink Wireless

Some of the main benefits of using QLink Wireless include the availability of free phone service, flexible plan options, and access to good phone choices. QLink offers completely free mobile phone service to eligible low-income individuals, with no contracts, fees or cancellation penalties ¹. This allows people with limited financial means to stay connected for free.

In addition to free basic plans, QLink has flexible options like pay-as-you-go that allow people to pay for extra data or minutes when needed¹. There are also unlimited talk and text plans available. Customers can choose the right plan based on their usage needs and budget.

QLink offers both new and refurbished smartphone options from trusted brands like Samsung, LG and Motorola². Customers have reported receiving relatively modern Android smartphones through QLink². Having access to a reliable smartphone helps low-income individuals stay connected and access resources.

Cons of QLink Wireless

Although QLink Wireless offers free cell phone service, there are some downsides to using their service according to reviews on SiteJabber:

The data speeds on QLink Wireless can be quite slow. QLink uses the T-Mobile and Sprint networks which tend to have slower data compared to Verizon and AT&T. Customers report slow loading times for web pages and streaming video in their QLink Wireless reviews.

Eligibility for QLink Wireless service is limited to those receiving government assistance like SNAP or Medicaid. People who are low income but not enrolled in a qualifying program cannot get free service from QLink.

The phone selection from QLink Wireless is limited compared to other cell providers. They offer mostly older, refurbished smartphone models. Customers cannot bring their own device to QLink.

QLink Reviews

Overall, reviews of QLink Wireless are mixed. On third-party review sites like SiteJabber and Trustpilot, QLink earns around 3 stars out of 5 based on hundreds of customer reviews. On Amazon, the QLink SIM card has a rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 from over 500 reviews.

Positive reviews mention the convenience of a free smartphone and cell service. Many customers report an easy signup process and good customer service when activating their phones. The free basic phones offered by QLink appear to work well for calling and texting.

However, there are also many negative reviews from customers experiencing issues with poor coverage, dropped calls, and slow data speeds. Some report receiving defective or malfunctioning phones that QLink will not replace. There are also complaints about hidden fees and unexpected charges on bills.

In terms of phone selection, QLink offers a limited range of basic and older smartphone models. Customers wishing for newer phones are often disappointed. Regarding service, experiences appear to vary greatly depending on location. Coverage can be spotty in rural areas. Overall, QLink seems to provide decent free cell service but with some limitations.

QLink Wireless Contact Information

To get support from QLink Wireless, you can contact their customer service team by phone, email, or live chat:

• Phone: Call 1-855-754-6543 to speak with a QLink customer support representative. According to the Qlink Support Center, customer service is available Monday – Friday from 8am – 8pm EST.
• Email: Send an email to [email protected]. A support representative will respond to your inquiry.
• Live Chat: Initiate a live chat through the QLink Wireless website. Live chat is available during customer service hours.

You can also visit a QLink Wireless store location in person. Use the store locator tool on the QLink website to find a store near you.