How long has tracfone been around

TracFone does not use contracts nor does it conduct credit checks, but customers are required to keep a balance of air time and days of service. Also, while customers have to activate their phones, they do not pay activation fees. Originally launched in as Topp Telecom, it changed its name to TracFone in Kent German. Things you should know:.

Additionally, the long-running SafeLink brand is part of the government-subsidized Lifeline programme. However, not all of the sub-brands have found a receptive audience. TracFone confirmed that its Telcel America brand had been quietly discontinued earlier in All remaining subscribers were switched to sister brand Simple Mobile starting in February.

The Telcel shutdown prompted speculation that other under-performing brands may be phased out before the Verizon transaction concludes. Beyond the brands developed in-house, TracFone also swooped in to eliminate the competition with a handful of in-market MVNO takeovers. With large-scale takeover opportunities now sorely limited, Verizon made its unexpected approach for TracFone.

So if a customer were to buy the day plan and use up all minutes of talk in their first days, they would not be able to place or receive any more calls for their remaining days of service. Fortunately, allotment top-ups are available for this type of situation. If a subscriber does not use all of their allotted minutes, data, or text message either from a top-up or from their plans service allotments, they will roll over to the next billing cycle and possibly beyond.

Tracfone customers get unlimited carryover as long as they keep their service active. As already mentioned, the service allotments are finite, and if not managed properly can become costly. Second of all, since you are buying multiple months of service you are locked in no matter what. If you leave before the plan expires without using up all of its service allotments, that is money down the drain. And the longer a person signs up for service, the more reluctant they may be to leave for a better deal elsewhere not wanting to burn the money already invested in their Tracfone plan.

Tracfone released monthly phone plans around July of A month is defined as 30 days of cellular service. A total of 4 plans are offered, 3 of the plans include unlimited talk and text. All plans include a finite amount of hard capped data where data gets turned off once the given allotment has been reached.

Autopay discounts are available of varying denominations that depend on the plan. All plans also support WiFi calling, but to gain access to the feature customers have to first enroll in it. Mobile hotspot is not allowed. Unlimited carryover of unused service allotments is included with all Tracfone monthly plans. Tracfone also sells two other plans, one for the connected car and another geared towards those that would like to keep an eye on a loved one.

Tracfone does offer a customer rewards program. Over time, subscribers can earn free service or even a free phone. Rewards points are earned by purchasing or renewing a Tracfone plan and also presumably by purchasing a phone.