Unity Wireless is one of the few cellular providers that have popped up recently for the ACP program. I’ve been going through the service provider, and it seems this is the only thing they currently offer. But the good is that it’s not badly off as you can even get a 10-inch Unity Wireless free tablet to enjoy with your FREE monthly broadband service.
In the list of providers you can get a free tablet for low income families I’ve gone through, most of the featured brands are 8-inch models. So, a 10-inch tablet is a good deal… actually great since you also get 32GB/ 3GB built-in memory.
Unity Wireless is not a Brand of Tablet!
When looking at the Free Sky Devices government tablet, we saw “Sky Devices” is a manufacturer of smart devices, including tablets. And for that, you’ll get the “free Sky Devices tablet” through the authorized ACP providers that are offering the $100 device offers.
As for our case of Unity Wireless free tablet, the circumstance is total reverse. I mean, “Unity Wireless” is a service provider that offers wireless phone service. So, it has to partner with an outside manufacturer of mobile devices to deliver the free tablet offer.
At I write this article, Benton Technology Ltd. is the manufacturer that makes the tablet Unity Wireless give you. Sadly, this is not a name synonymous with many dealers here in the US.
However, when it comes to the free phones or tablets from the government, these small makers from China are what Lifeline and ACP providers target. They usually have cheap products, which in turn leave a significant profit margin to the providers-like our Unity Wireless.
Of course, the tablet PC Unity Wireless gives you is decently nice. YES, it’s incomparable to the iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab that you can get with the AirTalk Wireless Free Phone. But as mentioned earlier, the device comes with at least a 10-inch display, 32GB built-in storage, and 3GB RAM.
What’s a Unity Wireless Free Tablet?
Now, a “Unity Wireless free tablet” is the free tablet that Unity Wireless offers through the affordable connectivity program (ACP).
ACP, as you probably know, is the recently-released broadband benefit that brings affordable internet service to low-income consumers. The federal communications commission (FCC) oversees the program, while the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers it.
So, a service provider that wishes to offer the ACP program has to first register with the FCC to get the registration number. Then once the FCC approval comes through, the provider will need to reach out to the USAC and submit an “ACP election notice”.
As for the eligible telecommunication carriers (ETCs), they usually can apply to participate in ACP directly with USAC using their ETC designation. They won’t need to first register with FCC since they are already in the USAC database with the Lifeline program.
Boring intro short, Unity Wireless is already an ETC with a license to offer an ACP program. And like other ETCs, the wireless phone provider brings you broadband, as well as a “connected device” discount.
As per the FCC, consumers eligible for the ACP will get up to a $100 discount to purchase a “connected device”. The “connected device” can be a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet PC.
On its end, Unity Wireless gives you a free tablet PC for the “connected device” discount. But now begs the question, is the tablet you get worth it? Let’s see.
Note: Unity Wireless is still not an ETC in all areas. A perfect example is in many parts of Oregon, Like Hines, where your ZIP code won’t even pass the first enrolling step.
What Kind of Unity Wireless Free Tablet Do I Get?
Many of the companies participating in the ACP program feature entry-level brands for the free tablet offer. Unity Wireless is no different, albeit the deal is slightly better than most.
For instance, the kind of tablet Unity Wireless gives you at the moment is the OXTAB 10 Tablet PC by Benton. The tablet has a 10-inch Super AMOLED display that brings you a cinematic experience wherever you are.
Furthermore, the Unity Wireless tablet has a 32GB built-in storage and 3GB RAM, which is a pretty decent combo. There’s an integrated slot you use to expand the storage with a MicroSD card. Then it supports both WiFi and cellular connectivity, making it easier to use with your free monthly ACP service.
The Free ACP service from Unity Wireless I speak of comprises Unlimited talk, text, and data. However, the unlimited data consists of 10GB of high-speed data, then lower speeds afterward. You can use the data either directly with the tablet or hotspot/ tether to your laptop, smartphone, and other internet-enabled devices.
The Unity Wireless Free Tablet is Still Not a 100% Freebie
Sadly, the free tablet that Unity Wireless gives you is still not exactly FREE. The wireless phone provider charges $10.01 for it. But this is still a much better deal than the original price of $125 when purchasing the smart device upfront.
Moreover, Unity Wireless isn’t the one who’s set the $10.01 fee. The fee is within the range of “more than $10 and less than $50”, as in policies the FCC has drafted for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Under the terms & conditions of Unity Wireless, I’ve noticed the company says the tablet will be “new” or “like-new”. And “like-new” refers to the certified-refurbished tablets- which is very common with even other ACP providers.
Also, it’s worth mentioning Unity Wireless requires you to stay on service for at least 120 days after receiving/ activating the tablet. If you cancel your ACP service with the carrier or switch to another provider before then, the original price of the tablet will be due. And this means the carrier can contact you by call, SMS, or email, asking for the $125.
Does the Unity Wireless Free Tablet Have a Warranty?
Most providers of free phones and tablets don’t offer the best warranty support. Unity Wireless also falls within this group. It only gives you fifteen (15) days after receiving a device to return it for replacement.
The standard free Unity Wireless replacement policy only covers defective devices. Then the rule to replace even your tablet at no cost is that you must return the defective device as received. And this means with all accessories that were in the box.
Speaking of the box, you’ll have to mail your defective Unity Wireless tablet package with the correct return authorization number.
The return number is always unique to each consumer. Hence, the reason you should first contact Unity Wireless customer care (at +1 800-701-9262 or email [email protected]) to initiate the replacement process.
How Can I Get a Unity Wireless Free Tablet?
The process to get a Unity Wireless FREE tablet is straightforward. You already know the device offer is available through the ACP program, meaning the first step to qualify is a low income. And under the “low income” policy is that you’ll need to either have an actual low income or participate in an eligible federal assistance program.
Method 1: Get a Unity Wireless Free Tablet with an Income-Based Eligibility
The first way how to get Unity Wireless free tablet is with a low income. Your low income means a total household amount at or below 200% of the latest federal poverty guidelines. “Latest” is the keyword here since the Department of Health and Human Services often updates these guidelines periodically. The guidelines for this year are different from last year’s, which was different from the previous year.
Usually, a substantial loss of income could also give you access to the ACP program. But the Torch Wireless free tablet is the only one I’m 100% sure they still accept this method. I’m not so sure about Unity Wireless- you can try if you have the necessary proof.
The proof you need to apply for the free tablet with substantial loss of income is two documents: a document that will show your change of income, such as a bankruptcy letter, layoff/ furlough notice, or unemployment application. Then a second document to prove your level of income- such as a copy of your tax return or statement of unemployment/ worker’s compensation.
If applying with an income at or below 200% of poverty guidelines, you’ll also need an official document to prove eligibility. A copy of a tax return or statement of unemployment/ worker’s compensation is a nice example of these documents. But you can also submit a copy of your paystub or statement of social security benefits, pension/ retirement, Veterans Administration benefits, et cetera.
Method 2: Get a Unity Wireless Free Tablet with a Program-Based Eligibility
Besides the low income, you can also get the Unity Wireless free tablet using a qualifying government assistance program. The keyword here is “qualifying”, as the government has many assistance programs and not all are eligible for the ACP.
Some of the qualifying government assistance programs I can name eligible for the free government tablet include:
- Medicaid assistance program
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) program
- Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
- Veterans and Veteran’s Survivors Pension Benefit
- Free and reduced-price School Breakfast/ Lunch Program
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Head Start, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and other tribal-based programs.
Similar to income-based eligibility, you’ll need proof of participating in a federal assistance program when you apply for the Unity Wireless free tablet. The best proof in this case will be a copy letter notice of approval or statement of a program in the current/ prior year.
Note: You automatically qualify for the Unity Wireless free tablet if on the Lifeline phone benefit. The reason for this is that all the assistance programs above (except Pell Grant and Lunch/ Breakfast benefit) are eligible for Lifeline. Then for the income-based, you need a total household amount at or below 135% of the poverty guidelines, which is below the 200% of ACP.
Note: Provide Proof of Identity & Physical Address
When you apply for the free tablet from the government with Unity Wireless, you’ll also need to provide proof of identity and physical address. In the proof of identity, you’ll need a copy of official documents like a valid birth certificate, driver’s license, Government/ state/ military/ Tribal ID card, green card, passport, et cetera.
On the other hand, the proof of physical address needs a document like a copy of the current utility bill or statement of a lease/ mortgage. A copy of some of the eligibility and identity proof documents will also work here since they carry your name and place of residence. Some examples include a copy of a driver’s license, Government ID, paycheck stub, or statement of current income/ federal assistance program.
Now, Submit Your ACP Enrollment to Unity Wireless
After you’ve got the necessary proof documents (for eligibility, identity, and physical address):
- Grab your internet-enabled device (phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer) and visit https://www.gounitywireless.com/
- Locate and tap on the bold blue “APPLY NOW” button. The site will ask you to enter your ZIP code and email address. Then hit “Continue”.
- If Unity Wireless has registered to offer ACP in your location, the “Continue” button will redirect you to an e-Form (electronic form). Use the onscreen instructions to fill in all necessary details in the appropriate spaces.
- When you reach the step to prove your eligibility, Unity will ask you to upload your proof documents. If you already have a National Verifier ID (if enrolled on Lifeline or previously on EBB), you’ll pass to the next step.
- Finally, preview your details, then click the submit button to finalize the enrollment.
How do I activate my Unity wireless tablet?
After Unity Wireless has approved you for the free government tablet, they will mail it to the address used in registration. It’s the reason you’ll need to fill in the actual address of your current place of residence in the digital enrollment form.
Once you now have the Unity Wireless tablet, you’ll need to activate it to use it. And the way to do that is as easy as:
- Insert the SIM card you received into your tablet- make sure you pop the Nano-SIM
- Charge the tablet until full. Then press the power button and wait for it to fully start
- After the tablet had fully powered, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initial setup
After completing the initial setup, your Unity Wireless tablet should have signal bars and be ready to browse, call, text, and do other cellular features. In case the device can call and text but has no data services, chances are the APN settings aren’t correct.
Key Takeaway: What are the APN settings of Unity Wireless free tablet?
As I’ve just said, the Unity Wireless free tablet has a slot to insert a SIM card. But when all the cellular features are working except data services (No browsing/ MMS), the APN configuration may be the issue. And since we’re talking about an Android device here, the APN settings of Unity Wireless to use should be as below.
Name: Unity Wireless (or whichever is preferred)
APN: wholesale
Username: (Not set – Leave it blank)
Password: (Not set – Leave it blank)
Proxy: (leave it blank – not set )
Port: (Leave it blank – not set)
Server: (leave it blank )
MMSC: http://wholesale.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapenc
MMS Proxy: (leave blank)
MMS Port: 8080
MCC: 310
MNC: 240
Authentication type: (leave blank)
APN type: default,supl,MMS,ia
APN protocol: IPv4/IPv6
APN roaming protocol: IPv4
Bearer: (Unspecified)
Mobile virtual network operator: (none)
Don’t Tamper with your Unity Wireless Free Tablet!
Would you like to browse, stream videos, or play games on a large screen for less? That’s everything relevant you should know about the Unity Wireless free tablet. The offer comes as a one-time discount with the ACP program. And this means you only need to apply with your proof of low income or participation in a qualifying government-funded assistance program.
After you’ve received your Unity Wireless government tablet, a crucial point to remember is that it comes locked to the carrier. Unity left out the “unlocking policy” details, though. But the provider firmly claims you shouldn’t tamper with either of its devices- don’t unlock, de-flash, or alter the software.
If you carry out any of the unauthorized practices on your Unity Wireless device, it will void your warranty support. Thus, you won’t qualify for the free replacement in case your device develops a malfunction.
