When it comes to talking about coverage and plan perks, T-Mobile is one of the best phone services in the ISP market. Due to its vast availability, this carrier tends to share some parts of the coverage and features with MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) providers such as TruConnect and Assurance Wireless.
We decide to compare TruConnect vs Assurance Wireless to see which carrier is more worthy. Both providers offer different free government phone services with different allowances such as free minutes, texts, and mobile data.
Let’s see how they differ from each other, and obviously, which one should pick?
TruConnect Vs Assurance Wireless: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Facts | TruConnect | Assurance Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Sprint or T-Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Coverage | 37+ states | 42 states |
| Talk Time | Unlimited Talk | Unlimited Talk (California),1000-Minute Talk (Other States) |
| Text Message | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Browsing Data | 14.5GB Unthrottled Data (California),12.5GB data (Other States) | 4.5GB data |
| California Free Plans | Free Phone, Unlimited Talk Time, Unlimited Text Message, Up to 14.5 GB of Unthrottled Data | Free Phone, Unlimited Talk Time, Unlimited Text Message, Up to 4.5GB Data |
| Extra Data Packages | Yes, Available | Yes, Available |
| Monthly Paid Plans | Yes, Available | Yes, Available |
| Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) | Yes | No |
| Free Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Free Tablet | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Care | (800) 430-0443 | 888-321-5880 |
Is TruConnect Any Good?
As an MVNO provider, TruConnect offers relatively cheaper plans for customers. It’s a great choice if you want to reduce your monthly phone bill. TrueConnect Lifeline Plans offer unlimited data and minutes. But, the federal government gives $9.25 per line each month where Lifeline is available.
And both ACP+Lifeline combined prices are set at $39.25[1]. TruConnect also has Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data Plans, Pay-As-You-Go Plans, Family Plans, and Mobile Hotspot Plans that suit everyone’s needs.
This plan includes up to 14.5GB of data for browsing and downloading. And don’t miss the TruConnect free phone, unlimited talk time to 80+ international locations. TruConnect supports both GSM and CDMA services and is compatible with unlocked phones.
They also allow BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) programs, that help customers to buy a new device or bring their device to TruConnect.
Is Assurance Wireless Any Good?
Assurance Wireless-a famous MVNO provider offers free phone service with a monthly data plan. In previous Assurance Wireless was under Virgin Mobile and used Sprint’s Network. Later, it became a T-Mobile product.
Free phone plans and other Assurance services are still the same for all types of customers. There’s a saying, Assurance gives a minimum of 1000 minutes and Up to 4.5GB of Data to all states (except California).
Assurance opens a program named California Freedom Plan for every California resident. It includes unlimited talk time, unlimited text messages, and 14.5GB of unthrottled Data. After consuming 14.5GB of data, you may face ISP throttling. Assurance Wireless has everything you would expect.
To learn more, jump to our comparison guide of TruConnect Vs Assurance Wireless.
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Comparing The Features and Perks Of TruConnect Vs Assurance Wireless
1. Application
Both TruConnect and Assurance Wireless require access to the Lifeline program. It is easy to complete the application for this program and the same process is for both. You can apply from official websites (TruConnect & Assurance) or call a customer representative or download Lifeline application form and mail it to their address.
If you qualify for the Lifeline program, you can receive a free tablet and a free phone. To get Assurance and TruConnect free phone or tablet from the Lifeline program, you must have a 135% less low-income statement of Federal Poverty guideline. Also, the following government aid program can help you to qualify for the Lifeline program.
- Medicaid or Medical Assistance
- Tribal Head Start
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance(BIA)
- Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations(FDPIR)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for the Needy Families
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program(LIHEAP)
- Veterans Survivor Pension fund
When you apply for the Lifeline program to receive a free phone or free tablet. Be ready with the necessary documents. You must attach eligibility proof paperwork with your income statement. Also requires identity proof to submit. See the following requirements below.
Personal documents
- Birth certificate
- Government-issued ID
- Driving license
- Utility bill, mortgage, or lease statement.
Income documents
- Current income statement
- Paycheck stub
- Social Security statement of benefits
- The Federal, state, or tribal return (Previous year)
- Workers or unemployment compensation statement of benefits
- Pension statement of benefits
Program documents
- SSI award letter
- Medicaid approval letter
- Federal Pell Grant school document
- Federal Public Housing Assistance statement
- Tribal head start benefit verification letter
2. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
TruConnect
TruConnect is a participant in FCC’s Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). If anyone is eligible for the ACP and Lifeline program, they will get free unlimited talk, text, and up to 14.5 GB of data with a free phone or tablet.
Customers can also use the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) service to use old devices such as Hotspot Devices. TruConnect also opens a BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) option, so customers can use their old phone and number.
Assurance Wireless
Unfortunately, Assurance Wireless doesn’t allow BYOD. But, BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) option is available for customers with compatible phones. With this program, you can use your old phone but it must be compatible with the Assurance Wireless compatibility guide.
However, you must follow the below criteria before bring your own phone or bring your own device to Assurance and TruConnect.
- Your phone must be unlocked from the previous network
- Your previous phone bill must be paid off
- The phone should not be reported as stolen or lost
- Must be compatible with TruConnect and Assurance Wireless
To check phone compatibility, dial *#06# and see the IMEI number. Then visit the official website and enter the IMEI number to check your phone’s compatibility.
3. Availability
As we mentioned, both services use T-Mobile’s network. So, in most places TruConnect and Assurance are available. That said, where TruConnect is available, there is Assurance Wireless. So, we combined the available states for these two MVNO providers.
| Alabama | Iowa | Missouri | Rhode Island |
| Arkansas | Illinois | Mississippi | South Carolina |
| Arizona | Indiana | Nevada | Tennessee |
| California | Kansas | New Hampshire | Texas |
| Colorado | Kentucky | New Jersey | Utah |
| Connecticut | Louisiana | New Mexico | Virginia |
| DC | Maine | New York | Washington |
| Delaware | Maryland | North Carolina | Wisconsin |
| Florida | Massachusetts | Ohio | West Virginia |
| Georgia | Michigan | Oregon | |
| Idaho | Minnesota | Pennsylvania |
Note: Cell phone plans, free minutes, and text messages may vary state by state. It is also the same for all states when you apply for Federal benefits based on a low income. But, California people will get optimum benefits in all situations.
Fade up with this? Check out “Brightspeed Internet Reviews”
4. Extra Minute/Data Package
TruConnect
For TruConnect, there is no clarification for extra minutes and data packages as they provide almost Unlimited minutes and data packs. However, TruConnect collaborates with Walmart to launch low-cost broadband named “Internet on the Go” for mobile users.
Primarily, it can be used by Road Warriors who are willing to pay $30-$60 per month. Then other customers can buy the internet on the GO pack with refill, debit, or credit cards. Data pack costs are:
- $10 for 100 MB
- $20 for 450 MB
- $25 for 500 MB
- $45 for 1 GB
Assurance Wireless
1000 Minutes from Assurance is pretty enough for customers. If the talk time collapses before the month ends, you have to wait for next month’s arrival. An extra package may help you to cover the rest of the days of the month.
Fortunately, Assurance Wireless offers a Top-Up option to add an extra 250 minutes of talk time to your package only for $5. This Top-Up also includes data packs such as
- $1 for 100MB
- $3 for 500MB
- $5 for 1GB
- $10 for 2GB
- $2 for 4GB
- $30 for 5GB
5. Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
TruConnect
Forget about free phone plans, Assurance Wireless has a prepaid plan that helps you to save monthly phone bills. Assurance offers a reasonable monthly plan with extra perks such as unlimited text messages, minutes, and a data pack. Here is a breakdown of prepaid plans of Assurance:
- Unlimited Text+Unlimited Minutes+5 GB Data (500 MB Free Data Included) for $15 monthly
- Unlimited Text+Unlimited Minutes+5.5 GB Data (1GB Free Data Included) for $20 monthly
- Unlimited Text+Unlimited Minutes+8.5 GB Data (4GB Free Data Included) for $30 monthly
- Unlimited Text+Unlimited Minutes+14.5 GB Data (10GB Free Data Included) for $45 monthly
Don’t worry about free data. Free data has already been added to your monthly plan.
Assurance Wireless
TruConnect customers don’t feel sorry to see Assurance Wireless alluring plans. TruConnect also unveils 3 plans for all customers. They offer extra perks with these 3 dedicated plans such as Truly Unlimited (ACP & Lifeline), ACP Only, and Lifeline. Plans include:
- Truly Unlimited (ACP & Lifeline): Free Unlimited Data, Free Unlimited Talk and Text, Free Smartphone or SIM Card, Option to buy a tablet for $10.01, Unlimited international calling, 2 months of Amazon Prime on us
- ACP Only: Free 8 GB High-Speed Data, Free Unlimited Talk and Text, Free SIM Card (BYOD), Option to buy a tablet for $10.01, Unlimited international calling, 2 months of Amazon Prime on us
- Lifeline: Up to 6 GB of High-Speed Data, Free Unlimited Talk and Text, Free SIM Card (BYOD), Unlimited international calling, 2 months of Amazon Prime on us
6. Network Coverage
Since both TruConnect and Assurance are MVNO providers and use T-Mobile’s network. That means, you will get the same signal for TruConnect and Assurance from your California home with T-Mobile.
TruConnect provides services in the entire United States. Regardless of whether you are on the East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, South, or any other region, TruConnect’s services should be available. They extend the coverage to various cities, and towns including some popular rural areas.
Assurance mostly focuses on Midwestern states (Illinois, Michigan, Ohio) and Northwestern states (California, Oregon, and Washington). So, it might be challenging to get optimum availability for rural individuals just like Grant and Harney County.
7. Free Phone Deals
TruConnect
TruConnect offers free phone deals with unlimited talk & text, 14.5 GB monthly data, and free international calling under ACP and Lifeline programs. Not everyone will get a free phone deal from TruConnect.
You must be qualified to get a free government phone. If you come from a low-income family and successfully qualify for the Lifeline program, you will get some free phones such as Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, Google Pixel 4XL, Google Pixel 5G, Motorola RAZR 5G, One plus 8 pro 5G GSM, Apple iPhone XR.
The excellent news is TruConnect supports BYOD and BYOP programs. So, anytime you can buy a phone or bring your own phone to TruConnect.
Assurance Wireless
Meanwhile, Assurance Wireless is a great option for free phone deals. It offers free phones to eligible customers when they qualify for the Lifeline Assistance Program. This program also offers plenty of minutes, data, and unlimited texts for customers.
This free phone promotion features some brand phones such as ZTE Prestige TM 2, LG Optimus F3, ANS Wiko TM Life, Alcatel OneTouch Cinch, and Coolpad Illumina. Most phones are feature phones with minimal features.
You may want to upgrade your phone to a touchscreen phone but it requires an additional fee. If anything happens with your phone, Assurance Wireless is ready to give you a replacement phone with a 1-year warranty.
Final Word
To conclude, I would like to say that the TruConnect Vs Assurance Wireless battle is settled and both are very helpful in different ways. There is no significant difference between these two services. During a pandemic, TruConnect and Assurance opened a favor for California people with more data and talk times.
Both deserve claps👏. TruConnect has more advantages in the Lifeline and ACP programs compared to Assurance. But, MVNO still works to make them better than before. Hopefully, T-Mobile will keep the mission alive to improve its progress.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, not all phones are compatible with Assurance Wireless. They provide specific phones that work with their service. To check compatibility, visit their website or contact customer support.
No, TruConnect is not a government phone. It is a wireless service provider in the United States.
Assurance Wireless is a Lifeline service provider that operates on the T-Mobile network. Only a few carriers are compatible with Assurance Wireless including Best Cellular, Boom Mobile, Boost Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Eco Mobile, Gen Mobile, Google Fi, Hello Mobile, Kroger Wireless, Metro by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, Simple Mobile, Tello, Tempo, Ting Mobile, Ultra Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile.
Assurance Wireless provides free or discounted phones to eligible customers. These phones are specifically configured to work with their service. If you already have a phone, you should check with Assurance Wireless for compatibility before using it with their network.
No, you cannot put your Assurance Wireless SIM card in another phone. Assurance Wireless phones are typically locked to their network and cannot be used with other phones. If you need to use a different phone, it’s best to check if your phone is compatible with Assurance Wireless or not.
To determine whether TruConnect is better than Assurance Wireless depends on coverage and plan needs. Both companies offer Lifeline services and free phones to eligible customers. To make an informed decision, consider comparing their coverage availability, plans, phone options, etc.
No, TruConnect and Assurance Wireless are not the same company. While they both participate in the Lifeline Assistance Program and offer free or discounted phone services to eligible low-income people. They are separate with their own service offerings, coverage areas, and plan options.
TruConnect operates as an MVNO and primarily uses the T-Mobile network.
References:
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120619007097/en/TruConnect-Walmart-Debut
- https://www.telecompetitor.com/truconnect-walmart-launch-low-cost-mobile-broadband/
- https://www.truconnect.com/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/NoContract/comments/wjgrxy/comment/ijh754r/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
