FreedomPop to Offer Smartphones for Free Wireless Voice & Data Service

FreedomPop will expand its free wireless data offering to include free voice beginning in late summer.

FreedomPop CEO Stephen Stokols said the company initially launched free wireless data in order to “nail the business model.” As Stokols explained, that model offers sufficient free monthly data usage to satisfy a large percentage of customers – 500 megabytes. The new voice offering, which will also include 200 free voice minutes per month and unlimited texting, is based on the same principle, he said. Customers who want more voice minutes or a larger data allotment will be able to purchase a premium service. Pricing has not yet been determined, but Stokols said the plan is for it to be in the range of $10 to $15 per month for a service that would cost around $80 from a traditional wireless carrier. FreedomPop does not operate its own wireless network but instead leases connectivity from Sprint and Clearwire. The FreedomPop voice service will be based on VoIP.