Is Tracfone Going Away in 2024?

 Is Tracfone Going Away in 2024? Verizon's Consolidation Plans

There are plenty of questions surrounding the future of Tracfone and Tracfone's family of brands since the acquisition by Verizon in 2021. One of the main questions many users have is, will Tracfone be going away? And specifically, will it be going away in November 2024?

The short answer is, no, but some of Tracfone's brands are likely being closed down in the near future, and changes and updates are coming for Tracfone customers.

We will dive into more information about those questions, and go into why November 2024 is a relevant date.

We shared some details in our post on the Future of Tracfone in 2024 and also covered some updates and news for the year. This is for information purposes only, and is subject to change, especially if Tracfone or Verizon adjust their plans.

The Verizon Acquisition and Its Impact

In November 2021, Verizon completed its acquisition of Tracfone, a move that has since fueled uncertainty among users. The primary driver behind this acquisition was Verizon's strategy to strengthen its foothold in the prepaid mobile market. Tracfone, with its large customer base and reputation for budget-friendly plans, was an attractive addition to Verizon’s portfolio.

Included in the acquisition were Tracfone's family of brands such as StraightTalk, Total Wireless, Net10 and several more. Tracfone (and it's brands) had about 21 million subscribers at the time of the acquisition, making it the largest prepaid company in America, but it has since lost about 2 million subscribers for a variety of reasons, some of which involve the Verizon acquisition.

Verizon was required to agree to some conditions before the FCC would approve their acquisition:

Conditions of Verizon's Acquisition by the FCC 

The FCC approved Verizon's $6.25 billion acquisition of TracFone Wireless in 2021, with a variety of conditions, including some to protect consumers. The main conditions required of Verizon are:

• Participation in the Federal Lifeline program which offers discounted home, phone and internet
• Maintaining Tracfone's offerings through November 2024 (and November 2026 for California customers)
• Maintaining access to Tracfone's family of brands such as Net10, Go Smart and Page Plus through November 2024 (and November 2026 for California customers)

What this means is, the FCC required Verizon to keep things the pretty much the same at Tracfone and the other brands, for at least three years so that customers would have time to change or adjust cell phone plans and wouldn't get caught by major price changes or plan closures.

Verizon Moves Towards Consolidation: Shutting Down Net10, Page Plus, and GoSmart

In late 2022, Verizon announced to dealers that they would not be allowing new activations to Net10, Page Plus and GoSmart, while allowing existing customers to continue using the providers.

At this point, the Net10 website prompts users to make the switch to Simple Mobile, making a clear indication of Verizon's plans to shut it down in the near future. Verizon is still required to continue offering services for Net10, Page Plus and GoSmart through November 2024, but it seems very likely they will all be shuttered sometime after that.

Tracfone does include a host of other brands under it, and it seems that Verizon will consolidate some of them. Verizon will also likely rebrand some, as they have already done with Total by Verizon.

The main question many users have is, what will happen to Tracfone? 

At this time, it is highly unlikely Verizon will shut down Tracfone, but they are making some changes that indicate a 'rebranding' and a shift in what made Tracfone popular for many users.

Changes in Tracfone Airtime Plans and Promotional Codes

Historically, Tracfone attracted customers due to the low cost and the wide variety of promotional codes that gave extra minutes for free. These codes provided significant discounts and bonuses, and were consistently made available to users through a variety of methods. Post-acquisition, there has been a shift in how Tracfone operates:

Phasing Out Promotional Codes: Tracfone offers very few promotional codes and there have not been any new codes in quite some time. This shift aligns with Verizon's preference for streamlined, straightforward pricing models, reducing the complexity for consumers. But it leaves Tracfone's loyal customers without the bonus airtime that has long been a staple for the prepaid service provider.

New Airtime Plan Structure: Tracfone is also transitioning to a new airtime plan structure, which they rolled out in 2024 and somewhat resembles many other service providers. These plans, which offer discounts for 3, 6 or 12 month plan purchases, look very similar to some competitors (Mint Mobile) but offer less data, and little room for any promo codes. They are technically similar to the unlimited talk/text plans Tracfone previously offered, but structured in a way to lock users in to a year long plan.

We covered the updated unlimited plan options here.

With these changes, it has left some users disappointed, but there is no indication of any plans for Tracfone to get shut down.

The Reality: Tracfone is Here to Stay

Despite the changes, Tracfone is not going away. Instead, it is evolving and some brands under Tracfone are being consolidated. Verizon's acquisition aims to integrate Tracfone into its broader service offerings, potentially enhancing network coverage and service quality. For customers, this could mean better connectivity and more reliable service, and also possibly higher prices.

No major changes should occur before November 2024, and users should get plenty of notice if affected providers (like Net10) do get shuttered.

After November 2024, we do expect some changes coming to Tracfone, including the possibility that any users on T-Mobile or AT&T may have to migrate to Verizon's network. Tracfone has used a variety of tactics to 'encourage' users to activate with or switch to the Verizon network. We may also see a streamlining of Tracfone's airtime options, following some of the other major prepaid carriers like Mint Mobile, which would likely raise the cost for those that use minimal airtime.

If you have questions about which network your phone currently uses, or if you may be affected, text 'MIGRATE' to 611611 to get more information from Tracfone.

We will continue to update with information as we gather it and 

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The information provided here by TracfoneReviewer is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith, however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, and reserve the right to make changes or updates as needed.