This post comes from partner site WhistleOut.com.
When it comes to cellphone carriers, there’s Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint … and everybody else. A big reason that we know the names of those four carriers is that each owns and operates its own national cellular network.
But being the big guns can mean charging big prices, which is why it’s good for us consumers that they’re not the only players in town. Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are significant players in the mobile market — lesser-known companies that typically offer better prices on great cellphone coverage while using the same infrastructure as the major networks.
Here is our short list of some of the best MVNOs currently available.
Visible
Relatively new to the scene, Visible is actually owned by Verizon, which means it runs solely on Verizon’s network. This is a key selling point as Verizon has long been considered the best network in the country. One of Visible’s main goals is to streamline the shopping process. It only offers one plan, and it’s only available for purchase online or through the Visible app.
The Visible plan costs $40 per month and includes:
- Unlimited talk, text and data
- Mobile hotspot data (capped off at a speed of 5 Mbps)
- Strong coverage on Verizon’s network
Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s network. While you might not get the superior speed T-Mobile is known for (the major carriers tend to reserve their optimum service for customers who buy directly through them), with Mint Mobile you can count on consistent service.
All of Mint Mobile’s plans come with unlimited talk and text, and varying levels of high-speed data (3 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB). You can purchase Mint Mobile plans in three-month chunks.
Red Pocket Mobile
The cool thing about Red Pocket is that it runs on all major networks. If you plan to bring your own phone to Red Pocket’s services, you should not have an issue with compatibility. Red Pocket does charge quite a bit for data — streaming and the like would be expensive — so it’s a better option for users who primarily talk or text on their phones.
For just $15 per month you can get 1,000 minutes of talk and unlimited text with a modest 1 GB of high-speed data to keep track of your email and do some light internet browsing. (A separate plan, for $19 per month, offers unlimited talk and text.)
Good2Go Mobile
With Good2Go Mobile you get competitive prices for service through AT&T’s solid network. One of Good2Go’s standout offerings is its unlimited talk and text plan (no data), which costs an amazingly cheap $10 per month. Good2Go offers data plans as well, with prices that are just about on par with their rivals.
Twigby
Twigby gets to do something not a lot of cellular providers get to do — brag about their customer service. However, Twigby doesn’t stop at customer service; it also offers an assortment of competitively priced and highly customizable plans. This means you can set up a plan to meet your mobile needs at a cost that works for your budget.
Twigby primarily runs on Sprint’s network while also piggybacking off of Verizon’s (for talk and text only) in places Sprint is not available.
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