Many US consumers are familiar with the bigger wireless carriers of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Far fewer are well-versed when it comes to the topic of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).
These network operators license the towers and coverage from the tier-one providers and offer their own phones, rate plans, and customer service.
Let’s take a look at one in particular: Lively — an MVNO which caters to the senior citizen demographic.
About
Founded in 2006, this California-based carrier specializes in products and services aimed at older users. Its current portfolio includes a pair of phones and two medical alert devices. You’ve heard of the Jitterbug, right? This is them.
Formerly known as GreatCall, Lively leverages Verizon’s network for coverage and its plans are no-contract, meaning customers can cancel at anytime.
What makes Lively different from other carriers?
Lively is geared toward an older demographic of user and as such offers Senior Health and Wellness apps designed with them in mind. Notably among them are fall detection, urgent care and urgent response, and assistance with ride via Lyft. The solutions vary based on the device.
READ: How to unlock your Verizon phone
What are Lively rate plans like?
Lively customers has a handful of options to choose from, each a little different from the other. Things are pretty straightforward and have become have a little more streamlined in the recent months.
Customers can choose from two plans which start as low as $15 per month but we definitely recommend going with the $20 option as it includes unlimited minutes and texting.
If the subscriber needs data for their Jitterbug Smart3 handset, they can add it for as little as $2.50 per month (100MB) or go all-in at $30 for unlimited.
What phones does Lively offer?
In short, not many. Customers can purchase a Jitterbug Flip2 phone or a Jitterbug Smart3 smartphone with prices at $100 and $150, respectively.
