# TruConnect

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**TruConnect** is an American mobile virtual network operator ([MVNO](/source/Mobile_virtual_network_operator)) on [T-Mobile](/source/T-Mobile_International_AG) and [Verizon](/source/Verizon) networks offering free [phone service](/source/Mobile_telephony) plans through [Lifeline](/source/Lifeline_(FCC_program)), as well as affordable [prepaid mobile phone plans](/source/Prepaid_mobile_phone) that include talk and text, 4G [LTE](/source/LTE_(telecommunication))/5G [mobile data](/source/Data_plan), and [hotspot](/source/Hotspot_(Wi-Fi)) access.

It was the first prepaid [broadband](/source/Broadband) provider in the U.S. to offer a pay-as-you-go, portable [Wi-Fi](/source/Wi-Fi) service plans.[1]

## History

In 2006, Matthew and Nathan Johnson acquired Telscape Communications, rebranding the company as TruConnect.[2][3] On April 29, 2015, TruConnect appeared as one of the fastest-growing wireless companies in the United States, according to data from the [Universal Service Administrative Company](/source/Universal_Service_Fund). TruConnect has provided wireless, residential and small business telecommunication services under [Sage Telecom](/source/Sage_Telecom), [Telscape Communications](/source/Telscape_Communications) and TruConnect Mobile brands.[4][5]

## Lifeline

TruConnect is in partnership with a federal and state-funded [Lifeline](/source/Lifeline_(FCC_program)) Program, overseen and managed by the [FCC](/source/Federal_Communications_Commission) and [USAC](/source/Universal_Service_Administrative_Company).[6] It provides free or low-cost wireless service and free government phones to eligible low-income consumers, including those who participate in public assistance programs (such as [SNAP](/source/Supplemental_Nutrition_Assistance_Program) and [Medicaid](/source/Medicaid), among others).[7] This program provides these reduced-cost or free cell phone services to eligible households in most U.S. states; prepaid only services include OR, NM, NC, DE, CT, NH, and ME, as well as D.C.[8][9] As of May 2016, the company had 195,751 Lifeline subscribers in California, a major market (under the branding Telscape Communications);[10] in 2023 the [CPUC](/source/California_Public_Utilities_Commission) listed TruConnect as the alternate Lifeline provider in CA (the primary being, [TracFone](/source/TracFone)).[11]

## References

1. ["Kevin Hamilton TruConnect Mobile Interview"](http://www.prepaid-wireless-guide.com/kevin-hamilton-truconnect-mobile-interview.html). *prepaid-wireless-guide.com*. 2017-11-11.

1. ["EY Entrepreneur of the Year® 2015 Greater Los Angeles"](http://www.sbnonline.com/article/2015-ey-entrepreneur-of-the-year-los-angeles/#TruConnect). *sbnonline.com*. Smart Business. 2015-07-01.

1. ["2024 Finalists"](https://labusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-EOY-Finalist_opt.pdf). *Los Angeles Business Journal*. 10 June 2024.

1. Alleven, Monica (2021-05-17). ["TruConnect: EBB reinvigorates Lifeline | Fierce Network"](https://www.fierce-network.com/regulatory/truconnect-ebb-reinvigorates-lifeline). *www.fierce-network.com*. Retrieved 2024-07-17.

1. ["TruConnect is Now One of the Fastest Growing Wireless Companies in the United States"](http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/truconnect-is-now-one-of-the-fastest-growing-wireless-companies-in-the-united-states-300074197.html). TruConnect | [PR Newswire](/source/PR_Newswire). 2015-04-29.

1. ["Lifeline Carriers - Free Government Lifeline Cell Phones"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160521123537/http://www.freegovernmentlifelinecellphones.com/index.php/lifeline-carriers/). *freegovernmentlifelinecellphones.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.freegovernmentlifelinecellphones.com/index.php/lifeline-carriers/) on 2016-05-21. Retrieved 2015-12-18.

1. ["Free Government Phone | Apply Lifeline | TruConnect"](http://www.truconnect.com/lifeline/freephone/signup). **TruConnect**. Retrieved 2016-09-16.

1. ["Lifeline and Prepaid Plan Details by State"](https://www.truconnect.com/states). TruConnect. Retrieved 2025-12-12.

1. Jake Neenan (Jun 13, 2024). ["TruConnect Asking FCC to Approve Lifeline Certification"](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/truconnect-asking-fcc-approve-lifeline-certification/). *Broadband Breakfast*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240715144947/https://broadbandbreakfast.com/truconnect-asking-fcc-approve-lifeline-certification/) 2024-07-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-12-12. During browsing registration limitations (previews), see archived version.

1. ["Total Approved LifeLine Subscribers in California by Carrier As Reported by Xerox State and Local Solutions, Inc."](https://web.archive.org/web/20170207222028/http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/uploadedFiles/CPUC_Public_Website/Content/Utilities_and_Industries/Communications_-_Telecommunications_and_Broadband/Consumer_Programs/California_LifeLine_Program/Copy%20of%202016%20XeroxSubscriberCountsasof%20050616.xls). *[California Public Utilities Commission](/source/California_Public_Utilities_Commission)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/uploadedFiles/CPUC_Public_Website/Content/Utilities_and_Industries/Communications_-_Telecommunications_and_Broadband/Consumer_Programs/California_LifeLine_Program/Copy%20of%202016%20XeroxSubscriberCountsasof%20050616.xls) on 2017-02-07. Retrieved 2024-02-16.

1. ["2023 Annual Report - California LifeLine Program"](https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/-/media/cpuc-website/divisions/communications-division/documents/lifeline/annual-reports/ca-lifeline-2023-annual-report.pdf). *cpuc.ca.gov*. [California Public Utilities Commission](/source/California_Public_Utilities_Commission). March 2024.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.truconnect.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [TruConnect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TruConnect) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TruConnect?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.