By Greg O’Brien
WATERLOO – For the first time, Waterloo, Ont.-based TextNow is making available its free talk and text cellular service in Canada to support those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“With more than a million jobs lost in Canada last month, we know many people have to make difficult financial decisions,” the company said in a statement. “We also believe that now, more than ever, it’s important for everyone to stay connected.”
Stateside, TextNow is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) through an agreement with Sprint (now T-Mobile) – and the company launched a free talk and text service there earlier this year (paid for by advertising). TextNow’s 100 Canadian employees all have devices from the company which are roaming on Canadian cell networks in Canada. The free talk and text cell service TextNow is offering to Canadians as of today will work the same way. Cartt.ca profiled the company earlier this year.
Canadians have always been able to use the TextNow app, but only in Wi-Fi zones.
For those who can no longer afford their phone plan, TextNow is offering to send free devices (to American and Canadian consumers), as long as its inventory lasts, pre-loaded with its free talk and text service. It will also send free SIM cards to those who already have a compatible Android or Apple device. The company will provide new users with a 10-digit phone number or port in their existing number. “We’ll help as many people as we can,” says the statement.
“If you’ve lost your job and can no longer afford your phone bill, reach out to us on Twitter or Facebook. We are giving away as much as we can, from free phones and service, to SIM cards and premium upgrades, to help you stay connected during these uncertain times,” says the company.
The company told Cartt.ca it will be doing no means-testing and is offering this as a help to anyone who needs it in this time of crisis.
As an additional a part of this initiative, TextNow is also sending devices preloaded with its services to House of Friendship, which is a non-profit that provides food, housing, addiction treatment and neighbourhood support to individuals and families in its hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo.
For more, please visit the TextNow company blog.
