Andrew Yang Launches Noble Mobile to Lower Phone Bills
Andrew Yang, the former presidential candidate known for his 2020 proposal of a “free dividend” offering $1,000 monthly to adults, is now aiming to return some cash to Americans through reduced phone bills. His new venture, Noble Mobile, was announced recently and proposes a flat rate of $50 per month for unlimited data.
The launch comes on the heels of a $10.3 million seed funding round that featured Yang, Scott Galloway, and Corazon Capital among its backers.
Yang stated that existing carriers tend to overcharge consumers for data that often goes unused. He emphasized the need for more consideration of users who frequently check their devices at dinner or other social events.
“We’re not here to distract you or drain your wallet,” Yang told Nynext, indicating a shift in how mobile services can be offered.
The company’s model is being compared to that of Mark Cuban, who disrupted pharmaceutical pricing with his Cost Plus Drugs initiative. Yang questioned, “Could a similar approach work for data?” He reflected on his own experiences, mentioning he paid $140 each month to Verizon and noticed it’s not an uncommon burden.
“If we can tackle what I call the ‘data tax,’ it could result in billions being returned to American households,” he added, noting that average phone bills for Americans can exceed $100 monthly, according to various reports.
Despite the prevalence of unlimited data plans, many people actually use far less. The 2024 Ericsson Mobile Data Report indicated that North Americans average about 22 gigabytes per month.
Noble Mobile aims to reward users; for instance, subscribers who consume less than 20 gigabytes a month can earn up to $20. The service also partners with apps like Calm and GetYourGuide to provide exclusive offers.
Noble Mobile operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), leasing access from larger carriers like Verizon and AT&T, which allows for lower pricing without the need for infrastructure investments.
This trend of celebrity-driven MVNOs is growing, with many recent entries. For example, Trump Mobile just launched, coinciding with Jason Bateman and Will Arnett’s Smartless Mobile.
Yang remarked that the competition among carriers has evolved significantly since the early 2000s, when network reliability was a primary concern. Now, with 5G fully rolled out, the industry seems to have stabilized.
“We need reliable coverage, but paying $100 for a service that should only cost $40 to $50? That’s not ideal,” Yang said.
Customers can track currency savings through an internal dashboard, redeemable at any time or kept within Noble Mobile.
“Think of it like a credit card reward that builds over time,” suggested Zach Growman, co-founder and president of Noble Mobile. He added that capitalism can indeed empower individuals economically and socially.
