OnePay, the fintech startup majority-owned by Walmart, is expanding far beyond digital banking. Starting Wednesday, the company will roll out OnePay Wireless, its own branded mobile service, CNBC has learned.
Through a partnership with mobile services startup Gigs, OnePay users can now activate a $35-a-month plan that includes unlimited 5G data, talk, and text on AT&T’s nationwide network. The service launches directly inside the OnePay app, requiring just a few clicks — with no credit checks or activation fees.
Building Toward a U.S. “Super App”
Launched in 2021 by Walmart and Ribbit Capital, OnePay has been steadily expanding its ecosystem to resemble “super apps” popular in Asia, such as WeChat or Alipay. Today, its services already span credit and debit cards, high-yield savings accounts, buy-now-pay-later loans, and peer-to-peer payments. Wireless connectivity is the latest piece of the puzzle.
Other fintech firms, including Klarna and Nubank, have also begun offering mobile plans — signaling a trend where financial platforms blur into telecommunications.
Cutting Bills, Winning Customers
The move could be a win-win for both consumers and carriers. “The average consumer largely overpays for their phone bill,” said Hermann Frank, CEO of Gigs. “We can now offer a product at a price point that’s about half of what the typical consumer pays, with all the modern features you’d expect.”
By embedding mobile plans into apps people already use daily, AT&T can slash its customer acquisition costs — savings that trickle down into more affordable plans.
A Pipeline of Wireless-Enabled Apps
AT&T and Gigs revealed a “growing pipeline” of U.S. companies planning to launch similar app-based wireless plans. These firms typically earn a share of the revenue, making it an attractive add-on to their platforms.
“The future is one where consumers can buy and manage their cellular plans from any number of personal or workplace apps they use every day,” said William Traylor, AT&T’s vice president of emerging business – platforms & partnerships.
With Walmart’s reach and OnePay’s ambition, OnePay Wireless isn’t just another budget phone plan — it’s a step toward turning your financial app into the hub for your entire digital life.
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