The "To Keep Up" Wiki

A collection of information we find useful

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
cell_phone_services

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
cell_phone_services [2025.07.17 08:30] – [Summary of USMobile and Mint Plans] Steve Isenbergcell_phone_services [2025.07.17 13:59] (current) – Steve Isenberg
Line 9: Line 9:
  
 =====Cell Phone Service Comparison===== =====Cell Phone Service Comparison=====
-Cell phone service providers and their per-month costs after any first-few-months promo. Promo in 'other'.  These prices gathered 8/30 to 9/21/2024.\\ +  * <bg #abebc6>FYI, as of 7/17/2025, USMobile has a buy-one-get-one special.  Sign up for a plan (e.g., Unlimited Starter $22.50/month) and get another plan free. This would be $22.50 for two lines. Check it out.  And do us both a favor and use the USMobile Referral Code ''3BAD6D17''. </bg> 
 + 
 +Cell phone service providers and their per-month costs after any first-few-months promo. Promo in 'other'.  These prices gathered 8/30 to 9/21/2024, most updated 7/15/2025.\\ 
 FYI, MVNO=Mobile Virtual Network Operator, which refers companies that purchase minutes and data from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon. FYI, MVNO=Mobile Virtual Network Operator, which refers companies that purchase minutes and data from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.
  
-DISCLAIMER: I'm only collecting information I've found on the Internet for the companies I've listed.  I have no relationship with any of them other than from a consumer's point of view.+DISCLAIMER: I'm only collecting information I've found on the Internet for the companies I've listed.  I have no relationship with any of them other than from a consumer's point of view.  If there's a conflict between what you see here and what you see on their site, rely on what they say (and tell me so I can update this page).
  
 REQUEST: Please let me know at [[steve+cellphoneinfopage@toku.us|steve+cellphoneinfopage@toku.us]] of any information that's incorrect or missing.  Thank you. REQUEST: Please let me know at [[steve+cellphoneinfopage@toku.us|steve+cellphoneinfopage@toku.us]] of any information that's incorrect or missing.  Thank you.
  
 +Prices per month, may require pay 6 or 12 months in advance.  USMobile prices include taxes.
   * Cheapest unlimited voice 1GB data: $8(RedPocket) $9(Tello)   * Cheapest unlimited voice 1GB data: $8(RedPocket) $9(Tello)
   * Cheapest unlimited voice 2GB data: $8(USMobile)    * Cheapest unlimited voice 2GB data: $8(USMobile) 
   * Cheapest unlimited voice 5GB data: $14(Tello) $15(USMobile, RedPocket, Mint)   * Cheapest unlimited voice 5GB data: $14(Tello) $15(USMobile, RedPocket, Mint)
 +  * Cheapest unlimited voice and data: $17.50(USMobile), $22.92(Visible by Verizon), $25(Tello), $25(Boost Mobile), 
  
 Ratings come from [[https://www.trustpilot.com|Trustpilot.com]]. For example, ''4.2* (62% 4&5* on 5,403)'' means their trustpilot rating is 4.2, and 62% of the 5,403 people rating gave 4 or 5 star reviews. Ratings come from [[https://www.trustpilot.com|Trustpilot.com]]. For example, ''4.2* (62% 4&5* on 5,403)'' means their trustpilot rating is 4.2, and 62% of the 5,403 people rating gave 4 or 5 star reviews.
Line 25: Line 29:
  
 ^Provider^Rating^Network^cost for one line^other^2 lines^ ^Provider^Rating^Network^cost for one line^other^2 lines^
-|USMobile\\ [[https://usmobile.com/]]\\ [[USMobile_Plans|Plans Summary]]|4.6*\\ (93% 4&5* on 3,796)|Verizon(warp) T-Mobile(lightspeed) AT&T(darkstar)\\ <fs x-small>you choose when sign up, you can switch (”teleport”) twice for free, then it's $2 per teleport</fs> |Flex: $17.50/unlimited data;\\ ByTheGig: sharable data $10/2Gb; $15/5Gb; $20/10Gb/ $35/20Gb -- Add $8 per additional line sharing data; includes international calling and texting from US.\\ Minimalist: $8/2Gb premium data without free teleport&hotspot, Int'l calling, etc\\ Prices include taxes and fees.|prepay 12 months. 30 days free to try it out.\\ When international, calls/data costs extra (on carriers supporting it), Int'l eSIMs cost extra\\ **Data cut-off (stops working) when you use up all shared data.** |Unlimited data $35;\\ 2Gb shared $18;\\ 5Gb shared $23;\\ 10Gb shared $28\\ includes taxes&fees| +|USMobile\\ [[https://usmobile.com/]]\\ [[USMobile_Plans|Plans Summary]]|4.6*\\ (93% 4&5* on 3,796)|Verizon(warp) T-Mobile(lightspeed) AT&T(darkstar)\\ <fs x-small>you choose when sign up, you can switch (”teleport”) twice for free, then it's $2 per teleport</fs> |Flex: $17.50/unlimited data;\\ ByTheGig: sharable data $10/2Gb; $15/5Gb; $20/10Gb/ $35/20Gb -- Add $8 per additional line sharing data; includes international calling and texting from US.\\ Minimalist: $8/2Gb premium data without free teleport&hotspot, Int'l calling, etc\\ Prices include taxes and fees.|prepay 12 months. 30 days free to try it out.\\ When international, calls/data costs extra (on carriers supporting it), Int'l eSIMs cost extra\\ **Data cut-off (stops working) when you use up all shared data.**\\ no cut-off if using unlimited plan |Unlimited data $35;\\ 2Gb shared $18;\\ 5Gb shared $23;\\ 10Gb shared $28\\ includes taxes&fees| 
-|Tello Mobile\\ https://tello.com/|4.5*\\ (90% 4&5* on 11,335)|T-Mobile |No-data plans: $5/100 mins ($6/1GB 100min), $8/unlimited mins\\ Data plans w/unlimited mins; $9/1GB; $10/2GB; $14/5GB; many more plans|no advance payment; free calls to Canada, Mexico, India, Switzerland, and many more. Upgrade/downgrade anytime n/c|+|Tello Mobile\\ https://tello.com/|4.5*\\ (90% 4&5* on 11,335)|T-Mobile |No-data plans: $5/100 mins ($6/1GB 100min), $8/unlimited mins\\ Data plans w/unlimited mins; $9/1GB; $10/2GB; $14/5GB; $25/unlimited many more plans|no advance payment; free calls to Canada, Mexico, India, Switzerland, and many more. Upgrade/downgrade anytime n/c|
 |Red Pocket\\ https://redpocket.com/|4.4*\\ (85% 4&5* on 3,600)|all 3 networks|$8/1GB, $15/5GB, $25/20GB, $30/Unlimited\\ per month paid annually\\ includes international calling (1GB & 5GB plans 20 countries, others 80+ countries)|if go over data, service slows; no overage fee or cut-off.| |Red Pocket\\ https://redpocket.com/|4.4*\\ (85% 4&5* on 3,600)|all 3 networks|$8/1GB, $15/5GB, $25/20GB, $30/Unlimited\\ per month paid annually\\ includes international calling (1GB & 5GB plans 20 countries, others 80+ countries)|if go over data, service slows; no overage fee or cut-off.|
 |Consumer Cellular\\ https://consumercellular.com/|4.2*\\ (62% 4&5* on 5,403)|AT&T or\\ T-Mobile|$20/1Gb; $25/5Gb; $35/10Gb; $50/unlimited\\ Plus taxes & fees|AARP member discount. Add $15 per additional line sharing data. Auto upgrade e.g. 1Gb to 5Gb if you use more.|$35/1Gb shared\\ $40/5Gb shared ($50.97 with taxes&fees and AARP discount)\\ $50/10Gb shared.\\ plus taxes & fees.| |Consumer Cellular\\ https://consumercellular.com/|4.2*\\ (62% 4&5* on 5,403)|AT&T or\\ T-Mobile|$20/1Gb; $25/5Gb; $35/10Gb; $50/unlimited\\ Plus taxes & fees|AARP member discount. Add $15 per additional line sharing data. Auto upgrade e.g. 1Gb to 5Gb if you use more.|$35/1Gb shared\\ $40/5Gb shared ($50.97 with taxes&fees and AARP discount)\\ $50/10Gb shared.\\ plus taxes & fees.|
-|Hello\\ https://hellomobile.com/|3.9*\\ (74% 4&5 on 3,382)|T-Mobile |$17.50/mo unlimited (6 mo paid in advance)\\ $5/500MB, $10/1GB, $15/4GB, $20/5GB|free unlimited int'l calling from US to Canada, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, UK; total 60+ countries; land lines, some countries to cell phones.| 
 |Mint Mobile\\ https://mintmobile.com/|3.3*\\ (74% 4&5* on 1,293)|T-Mobile| $15/5Gb\\ $20/15Gb\\ $25/20Gb\\ $30/unlimited\\ Plus taxes & fees ($2.82/line for 5GB, $3.02/line for 15GB)|$15/month for unlimited first 3 months; then rates are per month prepay 12 months; data and plan is per-line.\\ Mobile Hotspot n/c pulls from monthly data, limited to 10GB on unlimited plans\\ free calls to Canada & Mexico.\\ If go over data, service slows: no overage fee or cut-off; data add-on available if you need more.|Second line same price as first line, data can differ for each line.  Family plan available (allows multi line management) Two 5GB lines $30+5.64=$35.64 with taxes&fees. |Mint Mobile\\ https://mintmobile.com/|3.3*\\ (74% 4&5* on 1,293)|T-Mobile| $15/5Gb\\ $20/15Gb\\ $25/20Gb\\ $30/unlimited\\ Plus taxes & fees ($2.82/line for 5GB, $3.02/line for 15GB)|$15/month for unlimited first 3 months; then rates are per month prepay 12 months; data and plan is per-line.\\ Mobile Hotspot n/c pulls from monthly data, limited to 10GB on unlimited plans\\ free calls to Canada & Mexico.\\ If go over data, service slows: no overage fee or cut-off; data add-on available if you need more.|Second line same price as first line, data can differ for each line.  Family plan available (allows multi line management) Two 5GB lines $30+5.64=$35.64 with taxes&fees.
 |Ting\\ https://ting.com/|2.7*\\ (74% 4&5* on 303)|T-Mobile|$25/5GB(all can be hotspot), $35/12GB(max 8GB hotspot)|After monthly data allotment, speed is reduced to 128kbps; get more fast data for $5/GB.\\ unused fast data you add carries to next month.| |Ting\\ https://ting.com/|2.7*\\ (74% 4&5* on 303)|T-Mobile|$25/5GB(all can be hotspot), $35/12GB(max 8GB hotspot)|After monthly data allotment, speed is reduced to 128kbps; get more fast data for $5/GB.\\ unused fast data you add carries to next month.|
-|Freedompop\\ https://freedompop.com/|2.4*\\ (52% 4&5* on 1,721)|AT&T |$10/1GB(int' calling to 20 countries), $30/10GB(int'l calling to80+ countries)|implies that if go over data allotment, service slows|+|Freedompop\\ https://freedompop.com/|2.4*\\ (52% 4&5* on 1,721)|AT&T |$10/1GB(int' calling to 20 countries), $30/unlimited(int'l calling to 80+ countries)|implies that if go over data allotment, service slows|
 |Metro by T-Mobile\\ https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com/|1.8\\ (13% 4&5* on 70) | T-Mobile|$40/10GB ($45 first month)| |Metro by T-Mobile\\ https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com/|1.8\\ (13% 4&5* on 70) | T-Mobile|$40/10GB ($45 first month)|
-|Cricket Wireless\\ https://www.cricketwireless.com/|1.7 (15% 4&5* on 376) |AT&T |$30/5GB, $40/10GB| |$70/10GB|+|Cricket Wireless\\ https://www.cricketwireless.com/|1.7 (15% 4&5* on 376) |AT&T |$30/5GB, $40/10GB, $40/unlimited no hotspot| |$70/10GB|
 |Visible by Verizon\\ https://visible.com/|1.5*\\ (8% 4&5* on 1,117)|Verizon|$22.92/unlimited data (paid $275 annual, Visible); $32.92/unlimited premium data (paid $395 annual, Visible+)\\ prices include taxes & fees|if switch f/T-Mobile price $15/mo for 5 years.\\ Unlimited talk&text to Mexico and Canada.\\ Visible: save $5/mo on Verizon home internet, smartwatch $10/mo\\ Visible+ faster data, save $10/mo on Verizon home internet, hotspot twice as fast as Visible, available to use in Mexico and Canada, calls to 30+ countries and text to 200+, smartwatch service included|Visible: 45.83/mo (pay 550/yr)\\ Visible+ 65.83/mo (pay 790/yr)\\ taxes and fees included| |Visible by Verizon\\ https://visible.com/|1.5*\\ (8% 4&5* on 1,117)|Verizon|$22.92/unlimited data (paid $275 annual, Visible); $32.92/unlimited premium data (paid $395 annual, Visible+)\\ prices include taxes & fees|if switch f/T-Mobile price $15/mo for 5 years.\\ Unlimited talk&text to Mexico and Canada.\\ Visible: save $5/mo on Verizon home internet, smartwatch $10/mo\\ Visible+ faster data, save $10/mo on Verizon home internet, hotspot twice as fast as Visible, available to use in Mexico and Canada, calls to 30+ countries and text to 200+, smartwatch service included|Visible: 45.83/mo (pay 550/yr)\\ Visible+ 65.83/mo (pay 790/yr)\\ taxes and fees included|
 |Boost Mobile\\ https://boostmobile.com/|1.4\\ (7% 4&5* on 466) |Boost, AT&T, T-Mobile |$25/mo unlimited data ($5 autopay discount. Add $10 ea for: hotspot, high-speed data; and many more add-ons available for a cost.|DISH Wireless d/b/a Boost Mobile| |Boost Mobile\\ https://boostmobile.com/|1.4\\ (7% 4&5* on 466) |Boost, AT&T, T-Mobile |$25/mo unlimited data ($5 autopay discount. Add $10 ea for: hotspot, high-speed data; and many more add-ons available for a cost.|DISH Wireless d/b/a Boost Mobile|
Line 47: Line 50:
 ===Comments === ===Comments ===
 [from Glenn, regarding Google Fi, 12/31/2024]\\  [from Glenn, regarding Google Fi, 12/31/2024]\\ 
-I was somewhat surprised by the abysmal TrustPilot rating for Google Fi, but all the 1-star ratings point to bad experience with their customer service, and few complaints about the actual cellular communication. I tend to agree that their customer service is poor (scripted and unhelpful), but I haven’t needed to use it for anything lately since it all seems to work just fine for us.+I was somewhat surprised by the abysmal TrustPilot rating for Google Fi, but all the 1-star ratings point to bad experience with their customer service, and few complaints about the actual cellular communication. I tend to agree that their customer service is poor (scripted and unhelpful), but I haven’t needed to use it for anything lately since it all seems to work just fine for us.\\  
 +[Steve 20250715] Hello Mobile went out of business. Lines were transferred to Liberty Wireless which also appears to be out of business. [[https://clark.com/cell-phones/hello-mobile-shutdown/|read about it]]
  
 ====Resources==== ====Resources====
Line 144: Line 148:
 |Unlimited|$30+tax&fees|unlimited| |Unlimited|$30+tax&fees|unlimited|
  
 +
 +====Referral Code====
 If you switch to USMobile using this  If you switch to USMobile using this 
 [[https://www.usmobile.com/referrals?referrer=3BAD6D17&name=Steven&utm_campaign=monster_referral|link]] [[https://www.usmobile.com/referrals?referrer=3BAD6D17&name=Steven&utm_campaign=monster_referral|link]]
 or referral code ''3BAD6D17'' then we both are rewarded!  (It can be your way of thanking me for this information at no added cost to you!) or referral code ''3BAD6D17'' then we both are rewarded!  (It can be your way of thanking me for this information at no added cost to you!)
cell_phone_services.1752766214.txt.gz · Last modified: by Steve Isenberg