If you’re a Maxsip customer wondering what to do next, here’s the short version: Maxsip Telecom is winding down its operations, so you’ll need to move to a new Lifeline provider — but your benefit itself is not going away. You can transfer your free or discounted service to another company, and in most cases keep the same phone number.
The best places to switch in 2026 are AirTalk Wireless, Assurance Wireless, SafeLink Wireless, StandUp Wireless, and TruConnect. All five are active Lifeline providers, and each one is stronger for a different kind of person.
Below, we’ll walk through what’s happening with Maxsip, how to move your benefit without losing your number, and which provider is the right fit for you. Don’t wait until your service stops working — the sooner you switch, the smoother it goes.
Is Maxsip really shutting down?
Yes. Maxsip’s own website now shows a notice that the company is winding down operations and points existing customers to email support for help. That means Maxsip is stepping back from the Lifeline program, and your phone or internet service through them will end.
This is part of a bigger shift. Many providers leaned heavily on the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a separate internet benefit that ended in 2024. When that funding disappeared, some carriers — Maxsip among them — pulled back.
Lifeline is still fully active in 2026. The program that gives you a free or discounted phone hasn’t been cut. If you’re worried the whole thing is ending, our guide on whether Lifeline is going away breaks down exactly what is (and isn’t) changing. You can read more about Maxsip’s exit specifically in our Maxsip wind-down explainer.
First: your Lifeline benefit isn’t lost
Lots of Maxsip customers panic here, thinking they have to reapply from scratch or that they’ve lost their spot. You haven’t.
Lifeline is one benefit per household, and it belongs to you — not to Maxsip. When your provider leaves the program, you’re free to enroll with a new one and carry the same $9.25 monthly discount (or up to $34.25 a month if you live on qualifying Tribal lands) right over.
A few things to know before you move:
- You can keep your phone number. When you sign up with a new provider, ask to port (transfer) your existing number instead of getting a new one. Our guide on keeping your number when you switch shows how.
- Switching is free. Lifeline never charges to enroll or transfer. If anyone asks for an “activation fee” to start your free service, that’s a red flag.
- Don’t wait for service to drop. Once your Maxsip line stops working, porting your number gets harder. Start your new application while your current number is still active.
- One transfer per 60 days. Lifeline normally limits you to one benefit transfer within a 60-day window, so pick your next provider carefully rather than hopping around. (Full details in how to switch providers.)
The best Maxsip alternatives in 2026 (at a glance)
Every provider below is a currently active Lifeline carrier. The right one depends mostly on which network works best where you live and what you care about most — a nicer phone, rural coverage, or lots of data.
| Provider | Network | Best for | Free phone? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirTalk Wireless | Major networks (varies by area) | Best phone selection & most data | Yes — Android; sometimes refurbished iPhones | Generous data; higher tiers available for a small charge |
| Assurance Wireless | T-Mobile | Reliable national all-rounder | Yes — basic Android | Long-running; support can be slow |
| SafeLink Wireless | Verizon | Rural & remote coverage | Yes — basic Android | One of the widest service areas |
| StandUp Wireless | T-Mobile | In-person sign-up & former QLink users | Yes — Android | Online and in-store enrollment |
| TruConnect | T-Mobile | Data-focused 5G plans | Yes — Android | Serves select states; phone support reachable |
One caution: free phones, data amounts, and coverage change by ZIP code and by inventory. Always confirm current offers on the provider’s own site and check that they serve your area on USAC’s Companies Near Me tool before you apply.
A closer look at each provider
AirTalk Wireless — best for phone selection and data
If getting a better phone matters to you, AirTalk Wireless is usually the strongest pick. It offers a wide range of free Android phones, and depending on stock, sometimes refurbished iPhones — something most Lifeline carriers don’t do. Its plans also tend to include more high-speed data than average, with optional higher-data tiers for a small extra cost.
The trade-off: iPhone availability isn’t guaranteed (it depends on what’s in stock), and the biggest data plans may carry a modest charge. Coverage runs on major U.S. networks, but the exact one depends on your area, so check your ZIP first.
Assurance Wireless — best national all-rounder
Assurance Wireless is one of the largest and longest-running Lifeline providers, and it’s now part of T-Mobile. That means solid coverage across most cities and suburbs, unlimited talk and text, monthly data, and hotspot on many plans. If you just want a dependable, widely available option, it’s hard to go wrong here.
The trade-off: the free phones are basic, and customer service can be slow at busy times — a common complaint, but problems do get resolved.
SafeLink Wireless — best for rural areas
If you live somewhere rural or have spotty signal, SafeLink Wireless is often your best bet because it runs on Verizon’s network, which tends to reach further into remote areas. It’s also one of the original Lifeline carriers with one of the widest service footprints in the country.
The trade-off: like most Lifeline providers, the free phones are entry-level, and iPhones are rare. Coverage is the real reason to choose it.
StandUp Wireless — best if you want in-person help
StandUp Wireless stands out because it offers both online and in-person enrollment, with retail locations in some areas — helpful if you’d rather sign up with a real person. It also absorbed many former QLink Wireless customers, so if you’ve dealt with that transition, you may already know the name. (Here’s what happened to QLink, for context.)
The trade-off: phones are standard Android models, and availability varies by state.
TruConnect — best for data-focused plans
TruConnect is a good option if you use a lot of data. It runs on T-Mobile’s network with 5G-capable plans and — unlike some competitors — has phone support you can actually reach. It’s available in select states, so confirm it serves yours.
Quick clarifier: TruConnect is not the same company as True Wireless. They sound alike but are two separate Lifeline providers, so make sure you’re applying to the right one.
Honorable mentions
Depending on your state, these active carriers are also worth a look: Access Wireless, Life Wireless, Gen Mobile, and TAG Mobile. Coverage and offers vary, so compare them against the five above using USAC’s provider tool. For a broader ranking, see our roundup of the best Lifeline providers and the providers with the most data.
How to switch from Maxsip (step by step)
Moving your benefit is straightforward. Here’s the order that keeps you from losing your number:
- Confirm you still qualify. You’re eligible if you’re on SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, Federal Public Housing, Veterans Pension, certain Tribal programs, or your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. See the full list on our eligibility page.
- Pick your new provider. Use the table above, then verify the carrier serves your ZIP on Companies Near Me.
- Find your Maxsip account number. You’ll usually need it (plus your phone number) to transfer your number smoothly. Grab it before your service stops — email
support@maxsiptel.comif you can’t find it. - Apply with the new provider and ask to keep your number. During sign-up, choose to port your existing number rather than take a new one.
- Set up your phone. If your new carrier sends a phone or SIM, follow their activation steps. If you’d rather keep your current device, ask whether it’s compatible — more on that below.
Full walkthrough: How to switch Lifeline providers.
Can you keep your Maxsip phone?
Maybe — it depends on the phone’s network bands and whether it’s unlocked. A Lifeline device is often locked to the carrier that gave it to you, and a phone built for one network won’t always work on another. The safest move is to ask your new provider to check your phone’s IMEI number for compatibility, or simply accept the free replacement phone they offer. Our bring-your-own-phone guide explains how to check.
Had Maxsip home internet? Your options
Maxsip also offered home internet, so some customers are losing that too. The ACP that once discounted internet bills has ended and isn’t coming back — so don’t look for an “ACP replacement.” Instead, look at current low-income internet programs from major providers (like Xfinity Internet Essentials, Spectrum Internet Assist, and AT&T’s low-cost plans), plus Lifeline’s own internet discount where it’s offered. We keep a running list in our guide to low-income internet options after ACP.
How to avoid a scam while you switch
Displaced customers are a target for fake “free phone” offers, so keep these rules in mind:
- Lifeline is always free. No legitimate provider charges to apply or activate.
- Only apply through verified providers or the official National Verifier. Not sure a company is real? Check our verify-a-provider guide.
- Never pay for a “guaranteed” iPhone or Samsung. No Lifeline carrier can promise a specific flagship phone. If an ad does, it’s a warning sign — see our Lifeline scam alert.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Because Maxsip is winding down its operations, your Lifeline service through them will stop. Switch to a new provider before your line goes dead so you don’t lose your number.
No. Your benefit belongs to your household, not to Maxsip. You can transfer it to any active Lifeline provider and keep the same $9.25 monthly discount (up to $34.25 on qualifying Tribal lands).
Usually, yes. When you sign up with a new provider, ask to port (transfer) your current number instead of taking a new one. Do this while your Maxsip line is still active for the best results.
No. Applying for and transferring Lifeline service is always free. Anyone charging you a fee to start free service is not legitimate.
Many applications are approved quickly, sometimes the same day, once your eligibility is confirmed. Getting a new phone in the mail can take a few days, so start before your Maxsip service stops.