Budget Mobile Launches In San Diego

SHREVEPORT, La., Sept. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Budget Prepay, Inc., d/b/a Budget Mobile, has launched operations in San Diego, opening the second local full-service retail store today in El Cajon. Budget's San Diego operations include two customer service kiosks and two brick and mortar retail stores offering free wireless services and phones to qualified customers under the California LifeLine Program -- a state program that provides discounted home phone and cell phone services to eligible households.

"Opening the San Diego market marks an important milestone as we continue to expand our operations in the state," said Chris Holderman, Budget Mobile's Vice President of Sales, West Coast. "Since launching in California in May, we have activated over 55,000 free phones through the California LifeLine program, giving families in need a vital communication link to doctors, teachers, potential employers and other social services necessary to stay connected."

The El Cajon and San Diego locations are two of 14 full-service retail, brick and mortar stores, opening throughout California. Budget Mobile currently operates 16 customer service kiosks in the state, including two in the San Diego area. Budget's San Diego operations are located at:

• 4153-B University Avenue in San Diego (full service retail store)
• 1047 E. Main Street in El Cajon (full service retail store)
• 3007 Highland Avenue in National City (kiosk in El Super)
• 1444 Mission Avenue in Oceanside (kiosk in USA Checks Cashed)

"Budget plans to hire 250 full and part-time employees in California, including 40 positions for the San Diego operations," continued Holderman. "Hiring locally is key to our continued success and we welcome interested local applicants with backgrounds in sales and customer service." 

Budget Mobile offers discounts to qualified customers who meet certain eligibility requirements such as government assistance or a household income that is 150 percent below the federal poverty level. LifeLine is non-transferable, limited to one per household -- landline or wireless -- and cannot be combined with any other LifeLine offering.

Eligible California LifeLine customers will receive a FREE mobile phone with full talk and text capabilities, along with one of the following Budget Mobile "California Connect" service plans:

• California Connect – 1000 minutes and unlimited texts for FREE every month
• California Connect Unlimited – Unlimited talk and text for $17.60/month (after LifeLine discount is applied)
• Connect Unlimited Plus – Unlimited talk and text, plus 3GB of data for $27.60/month (after LifeLine discount is applied)

The El Cajon store is Budget's 65th location in the United States. California residents interested in learning more about LifeLine by Budget Mobile can visit the Sacramento location or log on to http://www.budgetmobile.com/california/.

About Budget Mobile
Budget Mobile is a subsidiary of Budget PrePay, Inc., one of the industry's largest prepaid telecommunication corporations, providing a range of communication services to approximately 850,000 individuals and families nationwide. Based in Shreveport, LA, Budget currently operates 49 corporate owned stores nationwide. For more information, visit www.budgetmobile.com.

About LifeLine
The Budget Prepay, Inc., d/b/a Budget Mobile, offerings are a California LifeLine supported service. Only eligible consumers may enroll in the program and proof of eligibility documentation is necessary for enrollment. Eligibility is based on participation in a government assistance program or a household income below 150% of the federal poverty level. LifeLine is limited to one benefit per household, consisting of either landline or wireless service. LifeLine service is non-transferable. LifeLine is a government benefit program. Consumers who willingly make false statements in order to obtain the benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment or can be barred from the program. Coverage limitations such as weather, signal strength and service outages may affect wireless mobile phone service, quality or access to E-911 and/or 911 in the event of an emergency. For more information on eligibility and the terms and conditions of the California LifeLine program, go to http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco/Public+Programs/ults.htm.

SOURCE Budget Mobile