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Did you know Selectel Wireless had prepaid phone plans for as low as $12 with talk, text, and data? Personally, I didn’t know about the brand until a few weeks ago. After going through them a couple of days, I’ve come to confirm you can even get Selectel Wireless free Phone and tablet.
Of course, the Selectel website homepage has printed in bold they’re participating in the Affordable Connectivity program (ACP). But most prepaid carriers with ACP discounts only have free monthly service without device freebies.
Introducing Selectel Wireless as a Phone Provider
| Selectel Wireless | |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Type of Service | Prepaid & ACP |
| Carrier Network | Verizon |
| eSIM support | N/A |
| Unlimited Minutes | YES |
| Unlimited Data | YES (with high-speed cap) |
| Cheapest Service Plan | $0 |
| Free Calls to Mexico/ Canada | Varies |
| Free Phone | YES |
| Free Tablet | YES |
Selectel Wireless is one of the many no-contract phone services here in the US. The company has just celebrated its fifteenth birthday recently, which means it’s older than famous brands like Visible or Mint Mobile.
As a phone provider, Selectel Wireless is an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) as it doesn’t have its own towers. Instead, the prepaid service resells the network of a Major Carrier.
The Major Carrier that Selectel Wireless uses is the Verizon (CDMA) network. Thus, you get to enjoy the nation’s extensive coverage, which is available in both urban and remote/ rural areas.
Also, Selectel Wireless is one of the decent options if looking for affordable prepaid phone services on Verizon. The cheapest prepaid plan for new customers currently is $15.
For the customers who joined in 2020, Selectel Wireless had a $12 monthly plan and another annual tier of $75. The two plans were a perfect choice for seniors who don’t call a lot. However, the two options seem unavailable for new customers at the moment.
If interested, Selectel Wireless also has a retail department where you can buy phones, tablets, and accessories. The service provider even tends to have frequent giveaway offers, whereby you can win gifts. Most of the featured free gifts are usually Samsung smartphones, albeit sometimes they may feature iPhones and LG phones, plus accessories.
Unfortunately, only select users get to receive the Selectel Wireless free phones during these giveaway offers. However, for low-income consumers, the company is participating in the free broadband program from the government.
Introducing Selectel Wireless Free Phone Service from the government
Selectel Wireless free phone service from the government is a program that’s available through the ongoing broadband benefit. The broadband benefit is currently under the affordable connectivity program, which launched on 31st December 2021.
On the difference between ACP and Lifeline, we saw the government set aside $14.1 billion on the broadband benefit. The amount of funds is over four times more than the original emergency broadband benefit (EBB) used to have.
When the EBB launched, around May 2021, Selectel Wireless was one of the service providers registered with FCC to participate. The company offered a $50-worth of service, which included unlimited talk, text, and data (15GB high-speed data, then unlimited 2G).
Furthermore, EBB with Selectel Wireless would include a one-time discount on connected devices. The discount of the connected device was up to $100 to purchase a tablet, laptop, or desktop PC.
Although a pretty lovely deal, the EBB was a temporary program, primarily to help those COVID-19 affected afford the internet. Not long after its launch, the government decided to create a longer-term replacement, Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Unlike the EBB, the ACP program offers a $30 free monthly service plan. If you opt for the ACP with Selectel Wireless, the service plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data. The unlimited data starts with 6GB of high-speed browsing, then drops to 2G speed for the rest of the month.
What Kind of Free Phone Does Selectel Give with ACP?
Besides the monthly service, Selectel Wireless is also offering free smartphones and tablets with the ACP program. As mentioned earlier, this is an amazing feat, as not many prepaid carriers with ACP include the “connected device” discount.
While the website shows the Selectel Wireless free phone and tablet are with the program, you should know it’s not all true. I mean, the discount of the connected device with ACP only covers a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet PC.
So, when Selectel issues a free smartphone, USAC, the institution that distributes ACP funds, doesn’t reimburse them. It’s just like with the Lifeline providers, whereby they only receive $9.25 for free monthly service even if they give a handset.
In any case, the kind of phone Selectel Wireless gives you isn’t the Samsung, iPhone, or LG as some bloggers claim. The free phone you’ll be getting is the Orbic Wonder 4G LTE smartphone- back in 2021 they sent Schock Volt.
The main features and specs of the Selectel free phone include:
| Specs | Selectel Orbic Wonder Phone | Selectel Schock Volt Phone |
| Price Range | Entry-level | Entry-level |
| Display | 5.5 inches (1920 x 1080 FHD) | 5.5 inches (960 × 480 FVGA) |
| Platform | MSM8937 | 28nm (Android 11) | MSM8917 | 28nm (Android 11) |
| Type of SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Cellular Connectivity | Up to 4G LTE | Up to 4G LTE |
| Mobile Hotspot | YES | YES |
| WiFi Connectivity | Up to WiFi 4 (802.11n) | Up to WiFi 4 (802.11n) |
| Built-in Memory (ROM, RAM) | 16GB, 2GB | 16GB, 2GB |
| Expandable Memory | YES (w/ MicroSD card) | YES (w/ MicroSD card) |
| Integrated Camera | 13MP, with LED flash (1080p @ 30fps videos) | 5MP, with LED flash (720p @ 30fps videos) |
| Type of Bluetooth | Bluetooth v4.1 | Bluetooth v4.2 |
| Integrated USB | Micro-USB | Micro-USB |
| Built-in NFC | NO | NO |
| Battery Capacity | 3000mAh | 3000mAh |
| Other Features | Gyro sensor, Fingerprint sensor, M4/ T3 HAC | Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Gravity Sensor, M4/ T3 HAC |
The Selectel Wireless ACP Tablet is Much Better
Indeed. The kind of tablet Selectel Wireless gives you with the ACP program is the Hyundai HyTab Plus 10WB2. It has a value of about $100, about the same amount you get for the discount on the connected device.
Performance-wise, the Selectel Wireless tablet has some pretty decent features and specs, including:
- A 10.1-inch, (800 x 1280p HD+) display
- Decent Allwinner A133 (12nm) processor
- Compatible with up to WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
- Built-in 6000mAh high-capacity battery
- Supports Bluetooth v5.0 for high efficiency
- Comes with a stylus pen for doodling and writing notes
- 32GB internal storage, 3GB RAM/ processing memory
- An integrated slot for a MicroSD card to expand storage
- Latest USB Type-C interface for data cable & charger
If not HyTab Plus 10WB2, Selectel Wireless may give you the earlier Hyundai Plus 8LB1. It’s still an amazing tablet PC, with specs and features like:
- An 8-inch, (1280 x 800p HD+) display
- Decent MediaTek MTK8765B (12nm) chip
- Compatible with up to WiFi 4 (802.11n) WLAN
- Supports extended-range and high-capacity 4G LTE
- Built-in 3500mAh high-capacity battery
- Supports Bluetooth v5.0 for high efficiency
- 32GB internal storage, 2GB RAM/ processing memory
- An integrated slot for a MicroSD card to expand storage
- Latest USB Type-C interface for data cable & charger
Important Note:
While we like to consider the ACP tablets from the government FREE, they’re usually not 100% free. In the affordable connectivity policy, the FCC clearly states a copayment fee for those who receive a one-time discount on connected devices. The copayment fee for all eligible should be “more than $10 and less than $50”.
When you opt for the ACP with Selectel Wireless, the FCC fee is $11, which falls within the dictated margin.
How to Get Selectel Wireless Free Phone and Tablet
Overall, it’s so easy to get Selectel Wireless free phone and tablet. The offer is with the ACP program, which means the trick to qualify is to come from a low-income household.
A “low-income household” qualifies as individuals with a low income at or below 200% of the poverty guidelines or participates in:
- Medicaid
- Head Start
- SNAP/ Food Stamps
- Substantial loss of income
- Federal Public Housing(Section 8)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance For Needy Families
- Student’s Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
- Free and reduced-price school lunch/ breakfast program
- Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
If you meet either of the eligibility requirements, the next step is to prequalify with the National Verifier. To do that, just go to acp.selectelwireless.com/acpform and fill up all the information in the appropriate spaces.
Next, select your “program eligibility” and “Verify Consent”, then hit the bold “SUBMIT” button.
Once the National Verifier has verified and approved your application, save your personal identification number (PIN). Then, come back to the Selectel Wireless ACP enrollment page and enter your National Verifier application ID, plus other details in the necessary sections.
After filling in your details, choose whether you need to receive a Free smartphone and a “one-time connected device benefit”. Remember to approve all the required consent boxes and hit the bold “Submit Application & Consent Forms” button.
Key Takeaway: Get Selectel Wireless Free Phone and Tablet Instantly
When you apply for the free phone and tablet from Selectel Wireless online, it will take several days to arrive. If you’d like to get the devices instantly, visit one of the Selectel Wireless store locations in your area and apply in person.
If your location has none of these stores, go to Facebook and look for a Selectel Wireless sales rep. The sales reps tend to camp near public areas, such as outside community offices, malls, etc.
Enjoy Prompt US-based Customer Service
Well, that’s how you can qualify for the Selectel Wireless free phone and tablet with the ACP program. The smartphone you get is surely not the best in specs. However, it’s still good enough for communication, browsing, and running light apps/ games.
If you’d like a better viewing experience, the Hyundai tablet Selectel Wireless now has a 10-inch HD+ display. Other specs of the tablet, like storage, memory, and processor are also better than competitors like the Qlink Scepter tab. Thus, you’ll be able to run more tasks at a slightly much better efficiency.
In case of any issue in the enrollment or have a question, you can always get in touch with Selectel customer support. I was able to connect with Nella, a very friendly rep by the way, on the online chat within seconds. But you can also use the customer care number 1-877-218-5744 or their social media channels.
