SurgePays Launches New Prepaid Service, "Phone-in-a-Box," Designed for Convenience Stores and Non-Wireless Retail Channels

Rhea-AI Summary

SurgePays (NASDAQ: SURG) has launched a new "phone-in-a-box" prepaid service under its LinkUp Mobile MVNO brand, operating on the AT&T network. The service offers ready-to-go smartphone kits specifically designed for convenience stores and non-wireless retail channels.

The offering includes two models: The Better Phone with a 6.3-inch screen, 32GB storage, and 2GB RAM, and The Best Phone with a 6.5-inch screen, 32GB storage, and 3GB RAM expandable to 6GB. Both phones come with the first month of service included, featuring 12GB of data and unlimited voice/text in the US, Canada, and Mexico for $30 monthly.

The service requires no credit checks or contracts, with a simple six-question activation process designed for grab-and-go convenience.

Positive

• New revenue stream targeting untapped convenience store wireless market
• Partnership with AT&T network provides reliable coverage
• Simple activation process creates low barrier to entry for customers
• Potential for recurring revenue through monthly service renewals
• Cross-selling opportunities for retail partners

Negative

• Limited phone specifications may not appeal to premium smartphone users
• Competitive $30 monthly price point may result in thin margins

Insights

Telecom Business Strategist

SurgePays' new phone-in-a-box strategy leverages convenience store channels for potential recurring revenue through prepaid mobile service.

SurgePays has made a strategic move into the grab-and-go retail market with its new "Phone-in-a-Box" prepaid service. This product leverages the company's existing relationships with convenience stores and community retailers, effectively turning non-traditional outlets into wireless service distributors.

The offering is designed with simplicity at its core - preloaded SIM cards, no credit checks, and a six-question activation process. Operating on the AT&T network under their LinkUp Mobile MVNO brand, these entry-level smartphones come with the first month of service included, featuring 12GB of data and unlimited voice/text across North America.

What's particularly noteworthy is the recurring revenue potential. After the initial $30 monthly plan, customers are likely to return to the same convenience store for renewals, creating an ongoing revenue stream for both SurgePays and the retailer. This effectively transforms a one-time hardware sale into a potential long-term customer relationship.

The product positioning is carefully calibrated for convenience store economics. By making the purchase process as frictionless as "a six-pack of soda and a bag of chips," SurgePays addresses a key concern for these retailers - complex products that create checkout delays. Meanwhile, the no-credit-check approach targets an underserved demographic that may rely heavily on convenience stores for various services.

By integrating this offering with their existing point-of-sale platform, SurgePays creates a closed-loop ecosystem that strengthens their relationship with retail partners while expanding their footprint in the prepaid wireless market through non-traditional channels.

Grab-and-go models provide consumers with advanced smartphones complete with 12 gigabytes of data monthly plus unlimited texts and voice calls in the U.S., Canada and Mexico

BARTLETT, Tenn., June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new family of "phone-in-a-box" prepaid service smartphones, with packaging and pricing designed specifically for convenience stores and non-wireless retail channels, is now available from SurgePays, Inc. (NASDAQ: SURG), a wireless, fintech and point-of-sale technology company.

These ready-to-go smartphone kits are offered under SurgePays' LinkUp Mobile MVNO brand and operate on the AT&T network. Each phone is preloaded with a SIM card and comes with the first month of prepaid service included featuring 12 gigabytes of domestic data and unlimited voice and text within the United States, Canada and Mexico. Consumers can activate their new phones with a simple six-question process and be connected within minutes of purchase — no credit checks, contracts or hassle.

• The Better Phone features a 6.3-inch HD IPS screen, 32GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, a slot for insertion of a microSD card, a 5MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. It also includes a 3000mAh removable battery.
• The Best Phone boasts a 6.5-inch HD IPS screen, 32GB of internal memory, 3GB of RAM expandable by another 3GB, an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. It too features a 3000mAH removable battery.

"SurgePays has long been a partner to convenience stores, bodegas and local community general retailers, providing prepaid top-ups among many other wireless and financial services," said Derron Winfrey, president, sales operations, SurgePays. "Retailers in this grab-and-go environment have been asking us for a way to tap into the wireless market more aggressively but without creating chaos at the cash register. We've answered their request with our phone-in-a-box solution which is as easy to sell as a six-pack of soda and a bag of chips.

"Perhaps of greatest value to merchants using the SurgePays point-of-sale platform, is the fact that once a consumer purchases their prepaid wireless phone from them, they are automatically set up for repeat sales, and profit, as customers return to renew their monthly service and perhaps pick up a snack or beverage while visiting."

The standard service cost for the featured plan is $30 monthly. Consumers can opt to a different level of service beginning with month two. For more information about LinkUp Mobile's phone-in-a-box or to become a LinkUp Mobile merchant, visit https://business.linkupmobile.com.

About SurgePays, Inc.

SurgePays, Inc. is a wireless, fintech, and point-of-sale company focused on delivering mobile connectivity and financial services to underserved communities. As both a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE), SurgePays operates its own wireless brand while also providing back-end infrastructure, including provisioning and billing, to other wireless providers. The Company's proprietary point-of-sale platform is used nationwide in thousands of retail locations, enabling SIM activations, top-ups, and digital financial services. SurgePays is built to scale and uniquely positioned to grow across both retail and wholesale wireless channels. Visit www.SurgePays.com for more information.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes express or implied statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties and generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. These statements may include projections, guidance, or other estimates regarding revenue, cash flow, business growth, market expansion, or customer acquisition. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," "attempting," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words.

Although we believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements, such as regarding our revenue, margins, expectations for customer demand, and profitability potential are reasonable, these statements relate to future events or our future operational or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond our control, including, without limitation, the assumption that the Company will be able to obtain high-margin recurring revenues, statements about our future financial performance, including our revenue, cash flows, costs of revenue and operating expenses; our anticipated growth; and our predictions about our industry and customer demand. These include, but are not limited to, our ability to scale our prepaid wireless business, transition ACP subscribers to Lifeline, maintain our MVNE partnerships, and achieve financial targets. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update, and expressly disclaim the obligation to update, any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

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SOURCE SurgePays

FAQ

What is SurgePays' new phone-in-a-box service and how does it work?

SurgePays' phone-in-a-box is a prepaid smartphone service that includes a device with preloaded SIM card and first month of service featuring 12GB data and unlimited voice/text. It requires no credit checks and activates through a simple six-question process.

What are the specifications of the phones offered in SurgePays' new service?

Two models are available: The Better Phone with 6.3-inch screen, 32GB storage, 2GB RAM, and The Best Phone with 6.5-inch screen, 32GB storage, 3GB RAM expandable to 6GB. Both feature 3000mAh removable batteries.

How much does SurgePays' LinkUp Mobile service cost per month?

The standard service plan costs $30 monthly, with options to change service levels beginning in month two.

What network does SurgePays' LinkUp Mobile phone-in-a-box service use?

The service operates on the AT&T network and provides coverage across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

How can retailers become LinkUp Mobile merchants for SURG's phone-in-a-box?

Retailers can visit business.linkupmobile.com to get information about becoming a LinkUp Mobile merchant and offering the phone-in-a-box service.