Who Owns Jitterbug & What Network Do They Use?

Getting seniors reliable phone service can be a bit tricky if one, they are navigating on their own and have no idea where to start, and two, don’t need all the fancy “bells and whistles” like streaming services and cloud storage that come with a premium phone plan from a major wireless network. Luckily there are services and phone plans out there that are advertised towards seniors like Jitterbug by Lively. Offering simple, easy to understand, budget-friendly phone plans, this carrier is definitely worth the look. But there are questions to be answered like: who owns Jitterbug and what network do they use for your coverage? Let’s talk about it!

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of Jitterbug while also diving into:

• A Quick Summary on Jitterbug 
• Who Owns the Carrier
• What Network Does Jitterbug Use? Is it a MVNO or MNO?
• Plans, Prices, and Features
• A Few FAQs

A Quick Summary on Jitterbug

So Jitterbug itself is actually a type of phone that’s sold by Lively, which is a company that provides the phone plans. Jitterbug phones are designed with seniors in mind. They are simple and easy-to-use so those who aren’t familiar with their own personal device but still want to stay connected to friends and family can do so with minimal hassle. 

There are two Jitterbug phones:

This is the jitterbug smart4 phone which is a simple Smartphone under the Lively brand. Its 6.7 inch screen displays the functions and apps on the phone clearly, it also has voice typing, video chat, and real-time call captioning which can help those who need assistance when calling. There’s also their “How-to guides” which can be used to learn how to navigate a Smartphone.

Then this is the jitterbug flip2 which is their latest flip phone which keeps things simple, for those who don’t like touch screens and want physical buttons- the flip2 is for you. Big buttons and a good sized screen makes it so it’s easy to use, along with their list-based menu options, Amazon Alexa capability, magnifier, and flashlight- this phone is like your own multipurpose tool.

Now one thing that sets Jitterbug ahead of the competition is each phone comes with their Urgent Response button for help which is a direct callline to specially trained Care Advisors from Lively that can help you with any sized problems.

Who owns Jitterbug?

Now that we know Jitterbug is a type of phone, we can now talk about Lively which is the company that sells and distributes Jitterbug phones and those senior-friendly phone plans. Since 2018, Lively has been a subsidiary of famed electronics retailer Best Buy. And through Best Buy Lively is able to provide Jitterbug phones and phone service all throughout the US. Lively also sells Medical Alerts which those who are in need can use to press when they require immediate emergency assistance.

What Network does Jitterbug use?

When you purchase a Jitterbug phone through Lively you will now be on a phone plan connected through a network to provide service to your cell phone so you can use the phone and its capabilities. Traditionally there are two major options in the US: MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, and MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). MVNOs purchase service access wholesale from one of the MNOs that own infrastructure across the country, which gives customers service at a much lower price.

Lively is a MVNO of Verizon Wireless.

MVNO - What Should You Know:

A common aspect of MVNOs you should know about is they are more likely to subject users to data deprioritization and throttled speeds. Data deprioritization is “the temporary slowing of data speeds for certain customers in order to give priority to other customers.” Which means that those who are direct customers of the “parent” company will get network priority when you’re in a high traffic area like a concert hall or sports stadium, or when there’s network congestion.

Throttling is also more likely to occur with MVNOs and “the dramatic slowing of your data speeds to the point that it becomes almost unusable.” This will happen when you go over a certain number of gigabytes of data for the month, which is referred to as a “data cap.” You’ll see this number displayed somewhere on your carrier’s website. Your normal speeds will slow down until the start of your next billing cycle.

Verizon has the most nation-wide 4G LTE coverage out of every wireless carrier in the country which is no small feat. Covering over 70% of the country, Verizon has had its footprints all over the map giving reliable coverage to even the most rural of areas when it comes to LTE. 

When it comes to 5G however, Verizon loses a few credibility points as they are lower in volume compared to T-Mobile and AT&T. Both T-Mobile and AT&T have more widespread 5G coverage than Verizon, but Verizon’s 5G speeds are definitely performing at a higher rate. They’ve gotten the highest marks in “5G Games Experience, 5G Voice App Experience, and 5G Video Experience,” which means that when you’re in 5G Verizon covered area you’ll get some pretty amazing performance power.

One feature you’ll find on most provider’s websites is a “Coverage” or “Coverage Map” tab, this shows off the network’s coverage all throughout the country and subsequent regions. Lively doesn’t have a traditional Coverage Map, they only offer this approximation:

You can however type in your ZIP code to see if coverage is available in your area and they will let you know if you are covered by Lively’s network once the ZIP is entered. Always be sure to double check if you are covered by a wireless carrier before signing up.

You can also get a different view via Ookla’s coverage map which allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.

Jitterbug and Lively’s Plans, Prices, and Features

Now that we have some background, let’s take a look at the plan(s), prices, and features of the carrier:

Lively’s Plans

Lively has three phone plans and four data only plans to choose from, their phone plans are for those who aren’t interested in data and have the flip2 phone, the data only plans are for those who want data and have the Smartphone. Without data you can’t browse the internet or use the internet without wifi. Lively has Family Share Plans where you can get two lines for just $24.98/mo. (terms apply). The company deprioritizes data, which you know means you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

We will first go over their Talk & Text plans, then after we will take a look at their data add-on plans. These prices listed do not include taxes and fees, they also list the $5 monthly discount for those who opt into Paperless Billing.

Plan One: Basic

This is Lively’s smallest plan which gets you unlimited talk and text, access to “Ask Lively” which is their helpline for questions about your device, and “Lively Rides” which is a service used if you need a ride. Lively will schedule a Lyft ride for you, all without having to worry about downloading the Lyft app itself.

The plan costs $14.99 per month for one line and is regularly $19.99.

Plan Two: Preferred

This is Lively’s most recommended which gets you unlimited talk and text, access to Ask Lively, Lively Rides, “Urgent Response” which is their direct call line for help 24/7, and “Lively Link” which is their service that alerts friends and family on their personal devices if there is ever an emergency. 

The plan costs $34.99 per month for one line and is regularly $39.99.

Plan Three: Premium

This is Lively’s biggest plan which gets you unlimited talk and text, access to Ask Lively, Lively Rides, Urgent Response, Lively Link, a “Care Advocate” which is your chance to work with experts to create personalized plans to meet any health and wellness goals you may have, and “Nurse On-Call” which is a line for health advice, questions, and concerns to nurses and doctors 24/7.

The plan costs $44.99 per month for one line and is regularly $49.99.

Now if you are interested in data, here are their data plans:

1GB

For $0 a month you can get 1GB of data which will allow for minimal internet usage, perfect to attach to a phone with no to limited data needs. Once you go over your gigabyte allowance for the month you will be charged $0.02 per additional megabyte.

5GB

For $5 a month you can get 5GB of data which gets you a little more allowance for internet usage without wifi as you can do some amounts of browsing and emailing. Also great for small data users. If you go over 5GB in a month you will be charged $0.02 per additional megabyte.

10GB

For $15 a month you can get 15GB of data which will be great for those who tend to use a bit more data and scroll leisurely through social media websites. If you go over 10GB in a month you will be charged $0.02 per additional megabyte.

Unlimited

This is Lively’s unlimited data plan which gets you 20GB of data at full speed and then once you go over your 20GB data, speeds slow to 2G speeds (more specifically 128kbps speeds). With 2G speeds, you can still browse the internet or send emails and texts, but you need WiFi to play games or stream video. Speeds will return to normal at the start of your next billing cycle.

The Features:

While Jitterbug and Lively offer great plans for seniors it’s good to take a look at their standard phone features. If you’re someone who considers themselves to be a traveler, talk to your international friends and family a lot, or are looking for a bit more “perk” with your plan then this section will break down all of that juicy info so you can know what you’re potentially gonna get: 

• Domestic Roaming Data

• Lively is said to include roaming.

• Mexico & Canada Connection

• There is no official information regarding Mexico and Canada connection other than being able to call from the United States according to this Best Buy thread.

• International Connection

• Lively does not offer international connections.

• Video Streaming Quality

• All Lively plans stream at 480p Standard Definition.

• Streaming Services and Cloud Storage

• Lively does not offer these features.

• Device Financing

• Lively does not offer this feature.

• WiFi Calling

• Lively offers WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception.

• Spam Protection and Free Trial

• Lively does not offer these features.

A Few FAQs - What You Need to Know about Jitterbug and Lively

You’ve read a lot about the carrier, but you still might have a few questions regarding specific things and this section is all about answering them.

• Does the carrier support dual SIM, allowing you to use more than one plan on the device?

Jitterbug phones do not support dual SIM capabilities. They allow for one SIM card only. And the Lively service does not offer any dual SIM benefits.

• Is the network GSM or CDMA?

“GSM” and “CDMA” are two slightly outdated terms and technologies describing wireless networks. Nowadays it’s VoLTE or 5G and if you sign up for Lively today you will be placed on Verizon’s network. If you purchase a Jitterbug phone you can only use the phone on the Lively Network. 

• What are some MVNOs that leverage the same towers?

Since Lively uses Verizon to provide network coverage to its customers you will be on the same network as these other popular MVNOs:

-Visible Wireless

-US Mobile

-Straight Talk Wireless

-XFinity Mobile

-Total Wireless

• What if I have a question and need help? What is the best way to reach them?

Jitterbug and Lively do not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. We know that Jitterbug and Lively itself comes with Ask Lively, Lively Rides, Urgent Response, Lively Link, a Care Advocate, and a Nurse On-Call (dependent on plan). But if you have additional questions and need a phone number, their support number is 800-733-6632. 

You can also contact them through mail via:

Lively from Best Buy Health

9390 Gateway Drive Suite 100

Reno, NV 89521

Or by filling out a form through their website here.

Wrapping Up

Jitterbug and Lively itself are amazing phones and phone plans for seniors. Offering a range of accessible plans and great support with their Lively team, anyone in your life who might need additional assistance through stay connected will like Lively’s service. We will say it is on the basic side, which means if you are looking for something that’s a bit more intuitive we recommend looking elsewhere.

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, reviews, and more!

And if you want to compare and contrast Lively to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill.