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FreedomPop Launches $5 Wi-Fi Service

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

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If you constantly go over your smartphone data each month, FreedomPop has a new offer that might entice you.

The LA-based mobile startup on Wednesday launched a new nationwide Wi-Fi plan, which lets you tap into a vast network of nearly 10 million Wi-Fi hotspots across the country for just $5 per month.

The plan is available to any Android smartphone or tablet user with any wireless carrier, and also includes unlimited voice and texting. FreedomPop said it will be expanding to iOS next month, so if you use an iPhone, just sit tight.

"As wireless carriers like Verizon and AT&T commit billions to build LTE networks, companies like Google and Comcast are investing in Wi-Fi-based networks to deliver mobile data access to consumers at a lower cost," FreedomPop's COO Steven Sesar said in a statement. "Now FreedomPop is the first mobile carrier to offer access to the largest nationwide Wi-Fi network with talk, text, and data, giving cash-strapped consumers an alternative to high-priced LTE data plans, or a way to simply cut down on their cellular data usage."

Once on the plan, users will be able to access the Wi-Fi network via the free FreedomPop app in Google Play. The app lets you automatically connect to the hotspots — many of which are closed to the public  — without having to manually connect through your device settings or authenticate the session in your browser.

FreedomPop said this new plan is a great alternative to expensive LTE data plans, and gives mobile users a way to cut down on their cellular data usage.

"Ubiquitous Wi-Fi means users can truly cut the carrier and still get consistent high-speed mobile data in most places," Sesar said. Check out the coverage map below.

FreedomPop nationwide WiFi coverage map

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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