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TracFone Wireless is a subsidiary of Mexico's largest telecommunications company América Móvil, and offers products and services under multiple brands which include TracFone, NET10 Wireless, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, SafeLink Wireless, Telcel América, SIMPLE Mobile, Page Plus Cellular, GoSmart Mobile, and Walmart Family Mobile. TracFone Wireless operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), holding agreements with the United States' largest wireless network operators to provide service using their networks, including Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile US, Sprint Corporation, and U.S. Cellular. TracFone Wireless had 25.668 million subscribers in 2015.
TracFone was established in 1996 as Topp Telecom Inc., a prepaid mobile phone company, in Miami, Florida. In February 1999, Topp received a major infusion of capital from Teléfonos de México (NYSE: TMX), a.k.a. TelMex. TelMex paid $57.5 million for a 55 percent controlling interest in the company.
In 2000, TelMex spun off their mobile unit, creating América Móvil, of which Topp Telecom became a subsidiary. In November 2000, Topp Telecom Inc. changed its name to TracFone Wireless Inc.
In May 2012, TracFone's parent company, América Móvil, announced it had reached an agreement to acquire rival MVNO Simple Mobile. The deal was completed in June 2012. In 2013, TracFone also introduced Android phones (4 models), all CDMA. In May 2013, América Móvil purchased Page Plus Cellular for an undisclosed amount. On January 6, 2014, regulatory approval was received and Page Plus Cellular joined other Américan Móvil subsidiaries like TracFone. At the time of sale, Page Plus Cellular had 1.4 million subscribers.
