The "To Keep Up" Wiki

Questions to help you decide what cell service you need
Robots.tech tells how to cancel your Verizon Wireless and my advice: do it via chat and not a phone call.

Clark.com has a cell phone plan finder

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.
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.

REQUEST: Please let me know at steve+cellphoneinfopage@toku.us of any information that's incorrect or missing. Thank you.

• Cheapest unlimited voice 1GB data: $8(RedPocket) $9(Tello)
• Cheapest unlimited voice 2GB data: $10(USMobile, Tello)
• Cheapest unlimited voice 5GB data: $14(Tello) $15(USMobile, RedPocket, Mint)

Ratings come from 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.

[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.

Here are some resources to consider.

• Toms Guide - plans
• Toms Guide = carriers
• Consumer Reports
• NY Times via Wirecutter
• US News

(Thanks ChatGPT) Assuming that phone1 accepts eSIM and phone2 doesn't and would need a physical SIM card.

• Both Mint Mobile and US Mobile support most unlocked phones.
• Use their compatibility checkers:
  1. [Mint Mobile](https://www.mintmobile.com/byop/)
  2. [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.

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

• Do not cancel Consumer Cellular yet! Instead:
  1. Find your account number and PIN from Consumer Cellular (you may need to call them).
  2. Provide this information when activating with Mint or US Mobile to transfer your number.
  3. The transfer usually takes minutes to a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours.

• For Your eSIM Phone1:
  1. Follow Mint/US Mobile's instructions to scan the QR code and install the eSIM.
• For Your Physical SIM Phone2:
  1. Insert the new SIM card and follow the activation steps.

• Make test calls, send texts, and check data.
• If everything works, cancel Consumer Cellular.

Again thanks to ChatGPT for initial information that I've edited.

• ✅ 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).

• ✅ 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.

• 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.

Prices monthly for annual plan. Taxes and fees included.
HS=High Speed