Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes—the trio behind the hit podcast SmartLess—are venturing into the mobile phone business.
On Tuesday, the three co-hosts announced the launch of SmartLess Mobile, a direct-to-consumer wireless service that aims to be, in their words, “data-sane and refreshingly BS-free.” It marks the first official product spinoff from the wildly popular interview podcast, which reaches millions of listeners each month.
SmartLess Mobile is positioning itself as a budget-friendly alternative to big carriers, promising to help customers save money by not paying for data they don't actually use.
“If you’re using less, you should be spending less,” Arnett said in the announcement.
Plans start at $15 per month and top out at $30, with customers able to lock in their rate for life—no surprise price hikes down the line, according to a SmartLess Mobile spokesperson.
The new service is clearly aiming to stand apart from legacy providers like Verizon and AT&T, both in tone and pricing. Its tagline—“Don’t get outsmarted. Get SmartLess” drives that message home.
“If you already own your phone, spend most of your time on Wi-Fi, and are still paying for an unlimited data plan, switching to SmartLess Mobile could literally cut your bill in half,” said Sean Hayes.
SmartLess Mobile will operate on T-Mobile’s 5G network, offering coverage across the contiguous United States and Puerto Rico. A coverage map on the company's website highlights the reach of the network’s 5G service.
As a fully digital brand, SmartLess Mobile offers a seamless setup process and supports number portability. “Most Americans can bring their current number with them by simply scanning a QR code—and the entire process takes just minutes,” the company said in its announcement.
Alongside Arnett, Bateman, and Hayes, the founding team includes wireless industry veterans Paul and Jeni McAleese. Paul, the former president of Shaw Communications, is listed as SmartLess Mobile’s CEO, while Jeni serves as chief brand officer, according to their LinkedIn profiles. The venture is backed by lead investor Thomvest Asset Management.
With this move, the SmartLess trio joins a growing list of celebrities entering the mobile market. Actor Ryan Reynolds, for example, played a prominent role in Mint Mobile before it was acquired by T-Mobile in a $1.35 billion deal two years ago.