Q Link Wireless
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Dania , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Wireless services, prepaid mobile plans (voice, text, data) |
| Parent | Quadrant Holdings |
Q Link Wireless was a telecommunications provider in the United States, headquartered in Dania, Florida. It specialized in offering complimentary wireless services to consumers qualifying for the Lifeline assistance. Additionally, the company marketed prepaid mobile plans, including voice, text, and data services under the Hello Mobile brand.
Established in 2011, Q Link Wireless functioned as a subsidiary of Quadrant Holdings.
Service offerings
Q Link Wireless targeted low-income customers by utilizing funds from the Universal Service Fund. Besides the Lifeline-supported offerings, it also provided standard prepaid cellular plans.
Qualification criteria
The firm extended free or reduced-cost wireless service to U.S. residents who participated in government aid programs or satisfied income thresholds defined by the FCC. Common qualifying programs included Food Stamps (also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid, and Supplemental Security Income.
Legal matters
On June 9, 2021, authorities from the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted a raid at Q Link Wireless’s Florida headquarters amid an ongoing inquiry. Later, on October 15, 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida disclosed that Q Link Wireless LLC admitted guilt to charges of conspiring to defraud the Lifeline program, involving theft exceeding $100 million. The company’s CEO was sentenced to five years imprisonment, and operations ceased thereafter.