Nutshell Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 Several years ago, a handicapped relative signed up with a "Lifeline" service provided by Assurance Wireless. It's free, but you must meet the eligibility requirements. Assurance switched from the Sprint Network to T-Mobile. All Lifeline recipients had to upgrade their phones. My relative did not want a smartphone, so he received an unlocked Alcatel flip phone, which is very similar to his old phone. For the past several days, he has been trying to activate this phone with no luck. He doesn't use the web very much, so I helped him login to his Assurance Wireless account. We both believed the activation process was successful, but something is very wrong. The phone searches endlessly for a signal. He has called Assurance "Customer Care" four times using a landline phone. Each call is a nightmare, because they barely speak english. I've tried SIM cards from Assurance Wireless and T-Mobile. All you see on the top edge of the screen is a continuous scrolling word, "Searching." Have we tried everything possible to activate this phone? If the answer is yes, I will advise my relative to abandon Assurance Wireless and help him find another cell provider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Global Moderator Posted October 30, 2021 Global Moderator Share Posted October 30, 2021 Not sure what his/her needs are. But they do have other businesses that do that same thing. Here's a government plan: https://qlinkwireless.com/ Quick search brought that up. IDK what you need to get it, but, just my .02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutshell Posted October 31, 2021 Author Share Posted October 31, 2021 Thanks Mindovermaster. I remember when this Lifeline service started. It seemed like a good idea, but I was very skeptical. Anything "free" is usually junk. The fact is, my relative has been very happy with Assurance. Until recently, it was 99.99% reliable. If the Alcatel phone he received is defective, they will eventually send him another phone. It could take several weeks. He has a chronic illness, and that phone could save his life if he gets very sick. Unless this problem with Assurance is resolved quickly, I will probably buy one of those no contract phones for my relative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKAngel Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 tried another phone just just make sure it works or that the cell isnt to old for the network? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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