TOKU - Treasury of Knowledge for Users

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==Shortcuts==
[[cell_service_questions|Questions to help you decide what cell service you need]]\\ 
[[https://robots.net/tech/how-do-i-cancel-my-verizon-wireless-service/|Robots.tech tells how to cancel your Verizon Wireless]] and my advice: do it via chat and not a phone call.

[[https://clark.com/phone-plan-finder/|Clark.com has a cell phone plan finder]]\\ 
[[https://clark.com/cell-phones/us-mobile-review/|Clark.com’s April 2 USmobile review]]

=====Cell Phone Service Comparison=====
  * <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.

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.

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 2GB data: $8(USMobile) 
  * 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.

//I've sorted these by their TrustPilot rating as of 9/20/2024.//

^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.**\\ 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; $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.|
|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.|
|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.|
|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)|
|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|
|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|
|Credo Mobile\\ https://credomobile.com/|1.4\\ (6% 4&5* on 144)|Verizon |$35/1GB per line|they donate to nonprofits every month|
|T-Mobile\\ https://t-mobile.com/|1.3*\\ (9% 4&5* on 5,690)|T-Mobile|$30/line for 2 lines age 55+|other more $ plans offer better streaming, more hotspot, services abroad.|
|AT&T\\ https://att.com/|1.3*\\ (6% 4&5* on 7,659)|AT&T|$30/5GB or $25/10GB prepay 12 months |Prices start at $25/line but you must have  4 lines.|
|Verizon Wireless\\ https://verizonwireless.com/|1.2*\\ (5% 4&5* on 5,358)|Verizon|$35/line/15GB, first month $45, autopay (prepay?), $5 or $10 discount after 3 or 9 months of service\\ Other plans start at $65/month for 1 line, $55/month/line for 2 lines|
|Google Fi\\ https://fi.google.com/|1.2\\ (2% 4&5* on 390) |T-Mobile |$20/10GB plus taxes&fees|see comments, below|$35/10GB shared plus taxes&fees.|



===Comments ===
[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.\\ 
[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====
Here are some resources to consider.
  * [[https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-cell-phone-plans|Toms Guide - plans]]
  * [[https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-phone-carrier|Toms Guide = carriers]]
  * [[https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/cell-phones-services/best-and-worst-phone-plan-providers-a7549256764/|Consumer Reports]]
  * [[https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wireless-carrier/|NY Times via Wirecutter]]
  * [[https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/services/cell-phone-plans|US News]]


==== An Example: Switching from Consumer Cellular to Mint or US Mobile ====
(Thanks ChatGPT) Assuming that phone1 accepts eSIM and phone2 doesn't and would need a physical SIM card.

=== Step 1: Check Compatibility ===
  * Both **Mint Mobile** and **US Mobile** support most unlocked phones.
  * Use their compatibility checkers:  
    - **[Mint Mobile](https://www.mintmobile.com/byop/)**
    - **[US Mobile](https://www.usmobile.com/check-compatibility)**
  * Since your phone1 supports **eSIM** and your phone2 requires a **physical SIM**, confirm that both carriers provide the right type of SIMs.

=== Step 2: Order SIM Cards or Activate eSIM ===
  * **Mint Mobile:**
    - Order a physical SIM for your phone2 and an eSIM for phone1.
    - Activation kits are available online or in stores.
  * **US Mobile:**
    - Offers both **physical SIM** and **eSIM** activation.
    - Order from their website or check for instant eSIM activation.

=== Step 3: Port Your Numbers (If Keeping Them) ===
  * **Do not cancel Consumer Cellular yet!** Instead:
    - Find your **account number** and **PIN** from Consumer Cellular (you may need to call them).
    - Provide this information when activating with Mint or US Mobile to transfer your number.
    - The transfer usually takes minutes to a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours.

=== Step 4: Activate the New Service ===
  * **For Your eSIM Phone1:**  
    - Follow Mint/US Mobile's instructions to scan the QR code and install the eSIM.
  * **For Your Physical SIM Phone2:**  
    - Insert the new SIM card and follow the activation steps.

=== Step 5: Confirm Activation & Test Service ===
  * Make test calls, send texts, and check data.
  * If everything works, cancel Consumer Cellular.

----

==== Mint Mobile vs. US Mobile – Which Should You Choose? ====
Again thanks to ChatGPT for initial information that I've edited.

^ Feature              ^ Mint Mobile ^ US Mobile ^
| **Network**          | T-Mobile | Choice of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile |
| **Pricing**          | Cheaper but requires prepaying for 3–12 months | Flexible monthly plans, slightly higher cost |
| **eSIM Support**     | Yes | Yes |
| **Physical SIM Support** | Yes | Yes |
| **Data Plans**       | 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, or Unlimited | Customizable plans with pooled/shared data |
| **Premium Data**     | No priority data | Priority data available (on Verizon) |
| **Hotspot**         | Included (limited speed) | Full-speed hotspot available |
| **International Roaming** | Limited (pay-per-use) | Available with add-ons |
| **Trial Option**     | 7-day money-back guarantee | 100-day free trial (for some plans) |

=== When to Choose Mint Mobile ===
  * ✅ If you want **cheaper pricing** (especially for multiple months at once).
  * ✅ If you are fine with **T-Mobile’s network** in your area.
  * ✅ If you don’t need **priority data** (like during network congestion).

=== When to Choose US Mobile ===
  * ✅ If you want **monthly flexibility** (no prepaying for months in advance).
  * ✅ If you want **Verizon’s network** (better coverage in some areas).
  * ✅ If you need **priority data** (for faster speeds during congestion).
  * ✅ If you want **better international roaming options**.

=== Which One Should You Pick? ===
  * If you **want the best price** and **don’t mind prepaying**, go with **Mint Mobile**.
  * If you **prefer a flexible monthly plan**, **better coverage options**, or **premium data**, go with **US Mobile**.

----

====Summary of USMobile and Mint Plans====
Prices monthly for annual plan.  Taxes and fees included. All unlimited talk & text\\ 
HS=High Speed\\ 
Priority: lower number is higher priority. That is, QCI7 is better than QCI8 and QCI9.

^ Plan   ^ Cost/mo           ^ Data                           ^  Hotspot                         ^ Int'l Data  ^ Int'l call&text f/US  ^
| **USMobile Annual Plans updated 7/7/2025** taxes & fees included                                                                                                                                                  ||||||
| Unlimited Flex |17.50/mo            | Unlimited (slower after 10GB)\\ QCI 7 (Tmobile/Light Speed), QCI 8 (Vzn/Warp), QCI 9 (AT&T/Dark Star)  |  5GB |      add-on | Yes (e.g., Switzerland 69min; UK unlimited)                  |
| By the Gig |2GB $10\\ 5GB $15\\ 10GB $20\\ $20GB $35|+$8/additional line sharing data|Yes| extra charge|Yes|
| Light plan | 8/mo                 | 2GB                            |  ?                               | ?           | add-on  $36/yr              |
|Unlimited Starter |$22.50/mo| Unlimited(slower after 20GB)|20GB|90+ countries|Yes|
|Unlimited Premium |$32.50/mo\\ free network transfers| Unlimited|Unlimited|90+ countries|Yes|
| ||||||
| **Mint Mobile Plans updated 7/7/2025** cost per plan; +est taxes/fees \\ Special: First 3 months $15/month paid in advance unlimited talk/text/data                                                                                                                                   ||||||
| 5GB    | 15+est tax&fees2              | 5GB        |  yes                             | ?           | Mexico & Canada       |
| 15GB   | 20+est tax&fees2.3            | 15GB       |  yes                             | ?           | Mexico & Canada       |
| 20GB   | 25+est tax&fees2.5            | 20GB       |  yes                             | ?           | Mexico & Canada       |
|Unlimited|$30+tax&fees|unlimited|


====Referral Code====
If you switch to USMobile using this 
[[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!)