How does 500MB of free mobile data each month sound? If you're nodding your head and thinking "Hmm. That does sound pretty nice" after reading that question, you may want to check out FreedomPop. The company announced today that it's launching its mobile broadband service in beta, giving interested customers the opportunity to give the program a go for themselves. FreedomPop offers users 500MB of free data each month on Clearwire's WiMAX network, though the company plans to start using Sprint's LTE network for its service in 2013.
If you're wondering what happens when you break past that free 500MB allotment, well, that's when things stop being free. Users that use more than 500MB can expect to spend $10 per extra gigabyte, and there are also paid plans that heavy users can sign up for. However, there are also ways for customers to grow the size of their free data bucket. A user could watch a brief ad for 3MB of extra data or get 10MB of data for each month that a referred friend remains signed up with FreedomPop. Other, more involved offers earning customers over an extra gigabyte of free data.
When it comes to the hardware that'll be used to access this data, FreedomPop has a couple of devices available, with more on the way. Initially, customers can choose between the Freedom Stick USB dongle or Freedom Spot mobile hotspot, which require a refundable deposit of $49 and $89, respectively. FreedomPop is also planning to offer iPod touch and iPhone 4/4S sleeves that can also serve as hotspots. Those devices are expected to cost $99 apiece.
With 500MB of free mobile data per month, FreedomPop sounds like a service that may be worth looking into, so long as you live in an area with Clearwire WiMAX coverage. With Sprint planning to roll out LTE service to over 100 markets in the coming months, FreedomPop will likely become more enticing once it makes the switch to LTE. What will be interesting is seeing how many customers FreedomPop can get to sign up for its paid plans rather than sticking to the free data bucket. If you'd like to check out FreedomPop yourself and try to get into its public beta, you can do so right here.
FreedomPop Launches Free Internet For All
Company Launches Public Beta over Clearwire's Nationwide 4G Network
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- FreedomPop, the disruptive free wireless Internet company, today announced the launch of its much anticipated public Beta service. The FreedomPop plan is simple: a guaranteed minimum of 500MB of 4G wireless Internet service every month, anywhere Clearwire's 4G coverage is available. No long-term contracts, no ads, no gimmicks.
In addition to receiving 500MB of data each month at no additional charge, which can power up to 14 hours of streaming music, 1,200 Facebook® posts1, or 23,000 emails, FreedomPop users have the ability to earn up to 1GB of data each month by adding friends to their network, or earn unlimited data each month by engaging in partner promotions. The company also offers heavier data users a variety of cost-effective plans, currently priced 20 to 40 percent below the rates of many major carriers.
"Today marks the first step in bringing fast and free wireless Internet service to the U.S.," said Stephen Stokols, chief executive officer of FreedomPop. "In a mobile data marketplace dominated by expensive family plans and binding annual contracts, FreedomPop is delivering a compelling and flexible alternative by offering consumers the ability to get connected on their terms, with unprecedented access and value."
FreedomPop will initially offer its free, high speed Internet service through two device options, the Freedom Spot – Photon, powering up to eight devices, and the Freedom Stick - Bolt, enabling plug-and- play data connectivity for laptops and PCs. It will also begin shipping its highly publicized iPhone and iPod Freedom Sleeves within the next four to six weeks.
"Disruptive market entrants like FreedomPop drive growth, introduce new ideas, and help expand consumers' access to 4G products and services," said Dan Stroberg, Clearwire's senior vice president of wholesale. "Clearwire is uniquely positioned to enable these types of providers by offering a large 4G network footprint, deep spectrum resources, and years of experience operating in the wireless broadband industry."
FreedomPop's high speed wireless Internet service will run over Clearwire's 4G network, capable of delivering high speed data access to areas where 130 million Americans live. FreedomPop now is accepting Beta orders on a first-come, first-serve basis at http://www.freedompop.com.
About FreedomPop
Founded in 2011, FreedomPop is a new wave telecom company backed by Mangrove Capital, DCM, and Skype Founder Niklas Zennstom's Atomico. Its aim is to provide disruptive Internet services ensuring that no one is left off the "connected grid." FreedomPop's initial free high speed wireless Internet service runs on Clearwire's 4G network and is scheduled to expand on Sprint's 4G LTE network in 2013. For more information, visit www.freedompop.com and follow FreedomPop on Facebook and Twitter.
1 Facebook is not affiliated with FreedomPop or Clearwire Corporation, and Facebook does not endorse FreedomPop's or CLEAR-branded products and services. Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.
Via Engadget
