TruConnect

TruConnect, formally known as TruConnect Mobile, is an American mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that sells mobile hotspots and smartphones and 3G/4G LTE mobile data plans and prepaid cell phone talk & text plans on T-mobile's network. TruConnect was the first prepaid broadband provider in the U.S. to offer a pay-as-you-go, portable Wi-Fi service plans.[1] The only Lifeline provider (ETC) headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, the company is one of the nation’s fastest growing providers of no-contract wireless voice, text, and data service.[2] TruConnect uses either Sprint or T-Mobile's network depending on location.[3]

TruConnect
IndustryWireless Telecommunications
Founded2011
FoundersMatthew Johnson and Nathan Johnson
HeadquartersLos Angeles, CA
Area served
Nationwide
Key people
Matthew H. Johnson - Co-CEO
Nathan R. Johnson - Co-CEO
Lucy Sung - COO
Danielle Perry - CIO
Alex Gudkov - CTO
Jeff Misthal - CFO
ProductsPhones, Mobile Hotpots, Wireless Plans, Lifeline
WebsiteTruConnect

TruConnect was founded by Matthew Johnson and Nathan Johnson. TruConnect has been providing wireless, residential and small business telecommunication services for more than 15 years under the Sage Telecom, Telscape Communications and TruConnect Mobile brands. TruConnect has an A rating with the BBB.[4]

History

In 2006, Matthew and Nathan Johnson acquire Telscape Communications, rebranding the company as TruConnect.[5]

On August 4, 2014, D-Link and TruConnect partnered to offer internet for mobile users.[6]

On April 29, 2015, Mobetize and TruConnect partnered to offer prepaid card services including bill payment, global prepaid airtime, and money transfers.[7]

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.[8][9]

On May 11, 2015, EY announced that Matthew Johnson, Co-CEO, and Nathan Johnson, Co-CEO and Chairman, were finalists for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 Awards Program in the Greater Los Angeles Area.[10]

On May 21, 2015, TruConnect introduced its Forever DataSM through its Internet On The Go brand at Walmart.[11]

On June 18, 2015, TruConnect and OTT TV service YipTV formed a joint-marketing agreement.[12]

In October 2015, TruConnect announced its four new prepaid wireless plan options as well as new prepaid mobile data hotspot plans.[13]

On March 30, 2016, TruConnect announces that its Chief Legal Counsel and VP of Strategy, Robert A. Yap, has been named the corporation’s new President.[14]

In July 2016, TruConnect begins offering free International Calling with their California Lifeline Plans.[15]

In September 2016, TruConnect Communications, Inc. announces that it has formed TruConnect Technologies, LLC, a new unit that obtained the business, operating assets, and technology of WeFi, Inc.'s network operating activities. The company will be based in Los Angeles with an R&D innovation center in Tel Aviv.[16]

In 2016, TruConnect led a buyout of TSG Capital to acquire Telscape Communications which rebranded to TruConnect. Under their leadership, TruConnect expanded by completing an acquisition of Sage Telecom, Inc. a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) focused on residential and small business consumers.

In early 2017, TruConnect joins with Quality One Wireless to offer leasing options for smartphones.[17]

In April 2017, TruConnect launched its own text and dialer app, TruText. [18]

In August 2018, TruConnect Extends into SaaS Business, Acquires FreedomPop's Proprietary Digital ETC Platform to Power Digital Acquisition Across ETC Market. [19]

Wireless

TruConnect offers wireless services that include 3G and 4G smartphones and mobile hotspots, and prepaid wireless talk, text, and data plans.[20] Their service is aimed at those who need affordable and reliable devices and internet on-the-go .[21]

Lifeline

Lifeline is a state and federal government program that provides free or low-cost wireless service and free government phones to low-income consumers. The program is available to consumers who can provide documentation for eligibility for government phones based on either income level or participation in public assistance programs including SNAP and Medicaid, among others.[22]

The company is in partnership with the a federal- and state-funded Lifeline program which offers discounted cell phone service.[23] TruConnect's Lifeline Program (Universal Service Fund) provides reduced-cost or free cell phone services to eligible households in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.[24] As of May 2016, the company had 195,751 Lifeline subscribers. [25] Total nationwide Lifeline subscribers reached 275,762 in March 2019.[26]

As of May 2019, TruConnect's Lifeline Program has expanded to include 26 U.S. states and territories and 6 retail locations across Southern and Central California.[27]

Competition

References
  1. "Kevin Hamilton TruConnect Mobile Interview".
  2. "TruConnect is Now One of the Fastest Growing Wireless Companies in the United States".
  3. "Wireless Week".
  4. "Better Business Bureau | TruConnect".
  5. "EY Entrepreneur of the Year® 2015 Greater Los Angeles".
  6. "D-Link and TruConnect Partner to Offer Internet On-the-go for Mobile Users".
  7. https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSnGNX1GgJ3M+1d5+GNW2015042
  8. "TruConnect is Now One of the Fastest Growing Wireless Companies in the United States".
  9. http://www.beyond.com/news/truconnect-is-now-one-of-the-fastest-growing-wireless-companies-in-the-united-states-121667689
  10. http://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/Greater_Los_Angeles_2015_Finalist_Announcement/$FILE/LA_EOY_Finalist_Announcement_2015.pdf
  11. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/truconnect-introduces-mobile-data-solution-141300068.html
  12. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/truconnect-yiptv-form-innovative-joint-marketing-carmen-tribolet
  13. https://www.reuters.com/article/truconnect-phone-plan-idUSnPnSs2LT+53+PRN20151027
  14. http://telecommsbriefing.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=325517
  15. "TruConnect Adds International Calling to Unlimited Talk & Text Plans". Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  16. "TruConnect Forms TruConnect Technologies LLC; Acquires Network Operator Business of WeFi, Inc". Benzinga. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  17. "TruConnect Mobile Phones". smartphones.truconnect.com. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  18. {{Cite web|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/09/prweb14683740.htm%7C
  19. "TruConnect Extends into SaaS Business, Acquires FreedomPop's Proprietary Digital ETC Platform to Power Digital Acquisition Across ETC Market". PRWeb. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
  20. https://www.truconnect.com/english/shop/wireless/wireless-plans.html
  21. "WiFi iPad? Meet TruConnect's cheap pay-as-you-go MiFi". 2011-09-19.
  22. "Free Government Phone | Apply Lifeline | TruConnect". www.truconnect.com. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
  23. http://www.freegovernmentlifelinecellphones.com/index.php/lifeline-carriers/
  24. http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=60001328932
  25. 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
  26. http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/uploadedFiles/CPUC_Public_Website/Content/Utilities_and_Industries/Communications_-_Telecommunications_and_Broadband/Consumer_Programs/California_LifeLine_Program/2015XeroxSubscriberCountsasof010816.xls
  27. "Retail Locations". www.truconnect.com. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
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