Over half a million Americans can't afford their phone bill

The coronavirus pandemic has led to unprecedented unemployment in the United States, and we’re starting to see the financial stress that it’s causing for many people. AT&T announced yesterday that 338,000 customers had stopped paying their phone bills because of the Covid-19 crisis. Verizon says that about 300,000 of their customers have done the same thing.

Phone service can be expensive, and it understandably falls below bigger priorities like food and shelter.But at TextNow, we believe everyone deserves the ability to stay connected. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to bring phone service to everyone for free, or as close to free as possible. As we work to get back on our feet, here’s how we’re helping:

• Unlimited calling and texting for every budget, on every device: When connected to WiFi, use our app to get a local phone number and make unlimited calls and texts in the U.S. and Canada on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. If you’re on the go, make sure you’ve activated our Free Nationwide Talk & Text  service to stay connected on the Nationwide Sprint® Network* at no charge.
• Keep your number: if your phone gets disconnected by one of the big carriers because you can’t pay your bill, that number is gone forever. If you need to keep it for work, essential services, or to stay in touch with family and friends, check to see if you’re eligible to port your number into our free service.
• Affordable upgrades: if you need to make international calls or a data plan, we offer competitive rates when you’re calling abroad or using the internet when WiFi isn’t available.
• Putting devices in the hands of those that need them: if your current device isn’t compatible with our free nationwide service, we offer low-cost solutions for people who can’t afford the expensive options offered by other carriers.

Be it job searching, or staying connected with family, friends, and essential services, people are relying on their phones more than ever. We believe your ability to communicate shouldn’t be taken away just because you have more important bills this month. Access to the internet and communication networks should be considered a basic need in 2020, and TextNow is here to keep you connected.

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‍*Although TextNow provides its subscribers access to the Nationwide Sprint® Network and to its wireless services, TextNow is responsible to its subscribers for the service. Please contact TextNow with any questions or comments about services. Sprint is a registered trademark of Sprint.