I-Wireless

i-wireless, LLC, which has operated as Kroger Wireless since May 2019, functions as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) with a strategic focus on the prepaid cellular market within the United States. The company was established in 2005 and is headquartered in Newport, Kentucky. One of its founders was Paul McAleese, who also served as CEO. The business was launched to leverage the extensive retail footprint of The Kroger Co., one of the nation's largest grocery retailers.

The company's market entry began with a trial in 130 Kroger stores in 2006, followed by a broad rollout to over 2,200 Kroger-affiliated locations by mid-2008. This exclusive distribution model, selling directly to consumers within Kroger's family of stores like Ralphs, Fred Meyer, and Smith's, provides a distinct channel to a large, existing customer base. The business generates revenue through the sale of no-contract mobile phone plans, devices, and SIM card kits. Plans are structured with varying data allotments, including an unlimited option, catering to different user needs. A key part of its value proposition is a loyalty program that allows customers to earn fuel points on their wireless purchases, integrating the service with Kroger's broader rewards ecosystem.

As an MVNO, Kroger Wireless does not own the network infrastructure it uses. Initially operating on Sprint's nationwide network, it now utilizes T-Mobile's network, a change that followed the merger of the two parent network operators. This model allows the company to offer competitive pricing without the capital expenditure of building and maintaining a physical network. In addition to its commercial prepaid brand, the company operates Access Wireless, a service provider for the federally funded Lifeline Assistance program, which offers subsidized telecommunications services to low-income customers. This dual-brand approach enables the company to serve both the budget-conscious retail consumer and qualified Lifeline participants. Key investors in the company include The Kroger Co., Sprint (now T-Mobile), and Spark Capital.

Keywords: Kroger Wireless, i-wireless, MVNO, prepaid wireless, no-contract mobile, T-Mobile network, Access Wireless, Lifeline program, The Kroger Co., retail telecommunications, mobile virtual network operator, Newport Kentucky, Paul McAleese, private label wireless, Sprint network, loyalty program, fuel points, prepaid phone plans, budget mobile, US wireless market