Ready Wireless Announces Lifeline Reload Plans

HIAWATHA, Iowa, April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ready Wireless, LLC announces new partnerships with multiple wireless Lifeline providers enabling over two million program beneficiaries to purchase additional airtime when monthly benefit minutes are depleted.

Dozens of U.S. companies offer mobile telephones and service at reduced or no cost to eligible beneficiaries through the federal Lifeline program of the Universal Service Fund (USF).  Until now, many beneficiaries of the Lifeline program were unable to use their mobile phones after monthly benefit minutes were used up.  Once benefit minutes were gone, users often had to wait for new benefit minutes to be automatically loaded in the following month.  With the introduction of the Ready Wireless reload program, users are now able to purchase additional minutes at thousands of participating retailers allowing for uninterrupted, continuous mobile telephone service.

In the past, providers of Lifeline mobile services often lacked a presence in the national or regional retail locations in which users are accustomed to buying prepaid airtime.  "Reachout Wireless subscribers will have the ability to obtain optional additional airtime at thousands of national and regional retail locations via Airfair," said Steven Fenker, president of Nexus Communications.  "It's very convenient, and this is how our customers are used to buying prepaid airtime."

This innovative Ready Wireless program allows Lifeline beneficiaries to purchase Ready Mobile branded airtime at thousands of convenient retail locations. Purchases are then applied to beneficiaries' existing Lifeline mobile telephones allowing for uninterrupted service.

For retailers, speed to market is a critical element of the program.  "There has been significant downward pressure on retail airtime sales during the past year," said Fred Haumesser, co-founder and EVP of Sales at Ready Wireless.  "It is evident to both Ready Wireless and our retail partners that the growth of the mobile Lifeline product is playing a major role in the erosion of stand-alone pre-paid product sales. This program will allow retailers to sell airtime to Lifeline beneficiaries and, therefore, quickly recapture a share of those lost revenues."

In addition to this program, Ready Wireless has announced a stand-alone lifeline reload brand called Airfair Wireless, set to roll out in May 2011 in over 40,000 retail locations.

The program is open to most wireless Lifeline providers.  Interested parties should contact Ready Wireless via email [email protected].

About Ready Wireless:

Ready Wireless offers prepaid wireless services nationally.  Its handsets and broadband devices are available in over 30,000 retail locations nationwide.  Airtime reloads are available in over 80,000 locations nationwide.  Retail partners include Dollar General, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Murphy USA, Cumberland Farms, Stripes, Fred's, Speedway, Pilot, Travel Centers of America, Meijer, Village Pantry, Huck's, Radio Shack, and Duane Reade. www.readymobile.com

About Nexus Communications:

Nexus Communications' mission is to simplify the process of obtaining telephone service for consumers on a budget. Through its TSI Homephone program, the company offers hassle free activation, and quality services at reduced rates to qualifying customers.. Through its Reach Out Wireless program, Nexus provides free wireless activation and quality services at reduced rates to qualifying customers.  TSI serves home phone subscribers living in more than 24 states across the country and Reach Out serves wireless customers in 12 states.  

About the Lifeline program:

The Lifeline Assistance program provides discounts on basic monthly service for wireless service at the primary residence to income-eligible consumers. This program is supported by the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) and administered by The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with the help of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)

SOURCE Ready Wireless, LLC