Today the nation's first free phone plan on a 5G network has been revealed by Helium Mobile. The network provider is owned and operated by individuals, meaning—it says—it can give back to its users in ways that corporations may not be able to.
New "Zero Plan" Costs nothing, and users get 3GB data per month as well as 300 text messages and 100 minutes for calls. Due to the high demand, a new waitlist is open for those who want to sign up.
What’s the catch? That's what the company says.
Helium tokens will be minted in the Solana network after this year’s migration.
The company's users can also earn tokens for helping support the network. If they choose to share data on network coverage—which is completely optional—then they’ll earn Cloud Points, as the network calls them, which can be redeemed for gift cards to popular stores and experiences. You can earn these points by participating in anonymous location sharing and other activities, such as referrals or surveys.
Air Plan offers unlimited texts and calls, 10GB of data at only $15 per month. The Infinity Plan at $30 per monthly offers unlimited texts, calls, and data.
The people-powered community currently offers the nation's largest 5G network. Coco Tang is the General Manager at Helium Mobile. "This is more than just a free phone plan; it’s a movement to make wireless service accessible, affordable, and rewarding for everyone. Our mission is simple: empower people, not corporations."
This runs on a bring-your-own-device policy, meaning users can connect with their current smartphone, or buy one outright to use with this network. However, that also means you won't be able to buy one over a period of time as with some traditional subscription services. While the network itself is free, it is only available to those who can afford to purchase a phone outright or on credit.
Stacy Elliott is the editor.
Editor's note: This story was updated after publication to remove a reference to MOBILE tokens, which are not provided to users as rewards. Cloud Points can be redeemed for rewards by users.