Best phone carriers of 2023

best phone carrier
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Finding the best phone carrier is a great way to save money on your cell phone bill. In addition to providing reliable wireless service wherever you are, the truly great phone carriers emerge from the rest of the pack by offering affordable plans with lots of perks.

So which phone carrier offers that mix of solid coverage and attractively priced plans? It's not just a matter of finding the best cell phone plans — though that certainly helps. You also need to look at network coverage in your area, including what kind of 5G networks are available around you.

Other aspects to consider when searching for the best phone carrier include customer service — your wireless provider should be able to answer everything from billing questions to device troubleshooting — and extra bonuses like complementary streaming services and hotspot data that come with your monthly plan. If a plan happens to include a subscription to your favorite streaming service, for example, that can save you from spending that subscription fee on your own.

We continuously research what's new with carriers big and small to see which ones are giving their customers the most value. That way, your options include not only the major carriers but some of the top MVNOs competing for your business with cheaper plans. 

Whether you're thinking of switching to a new provider or you just want to double-check what your current carrier provides relative to the competition, our best phone carrier rankings can help identify the best wireless service for your budget and your needs.

Today's top three best value phone carriers

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1. Mint Mobile - Best carrier on a budget

1. Mint Mobile - Best carrier on a budget
Mint Mobile is a great carrier to choose if you're after an affordable phone plan. Mint plans are growing in size while pricing remains the same, and the carrier also offers discounted rates for family plans. To get the best price, you need to commit to a year of service, but Mint also offers promotions like one that gives you three free months of service when you sign up for a three-month plan.

2. Visible - Best value carrier for unlimited data

2. Visible - Best value carrier for unlimited data
Visible offers a choice of plans, neither of which will put a dent in your budget. In either case you get unlimited data, whether you pick the $30 Visible or the $45 Visible Plus options. You can save additional money by referring friends and family to the service, with uses Verizon's top-ranked network.

3. Verizon - Best value carrier if you can spend a bit more

3. Verizon - Best value carrier if you can spend a bit more
On the opposite end of the spectrum to the above deals, Verizon is one of the priciest networks around. But its plans are feature packed, and its coverage is extensive and fast. A lower-cost unlimited plan is one of the best cheap unlimited data plans and Verizon is making great strides improving the reach and speeds of its 5G coverage.

The best phone carriers overall

best phone carrier: Verizon

(Image credit: Verizon)

1. Verizon

The best phone carrier overall

Specifications

Best Unlimited Plan: $80/month Play More plan
Best Tiered Data Plan: N/A
Best Prepaid Plan: $35/month 15GB plan
5G Coverage: 230 million people (nationwide); 200 million (Ultra Wideband)
Parent Network: Verizon

Reasons to buy

+
Network has extensive reach
+
Fast mmWave 5G available to more customers
+
Excellent prepaid plans

Reasons to avoid

-
Top unlimited plans are pricey
-
Fastest 5G speeds limited to select areas

Verizon leads our best phone carrier rankings on the strength of a wide variety of plans and its upgraded 5G network. After launching C-Band 5G early last year, Verizon now offers faster 5G coverage to 200 million people. When we've tested LTE speeds, Verizon has come out on top, though the most recent Rootmetrics report covering the second half of last year puts AT&T ahead of Verizon for speed. 

Traditionally, Verizon's cell phone plans are among the pricier options, and while that hasn't changed, the carrier has made strides in making some lower-cost plans available. A Welcome Unlimited plan offers a low price in exchange for dropping most perks — four lines of data cost just $30 per line each month. 

Verizon's prepaid offerings also happen to be pretty affordable, with autopay enrollment dropping the cost of the carrier's 15GB plan to $35 a month. Prepaid plans with unlimited data start at $50.

Still, if you can swing the higher cost, Verizon's regular unlimited plans offer a great deal of value. We're particularly impressed with the 5G Play More plan, which costs $80 a month for one line of unlimited data. In addition to high-speed 5G coverage (where available), you get a bundle of Disney streaming services (Disney Plus, ad-supported Hulu and ESPN Plus) as well as a subscription to a streaming gaming service — either Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass. If you don't want those streaming services, Verizon offers other 5G-focused unlimited data plans as well, ranging in price from $70 to $90 per month.

Verizon also makes it easier to experience 5G by accepting any phone — even broken ones — to reduce the cost of upgrading to a 5G phone. The carrier has moved to 36-month agreements, increasing how long you need to tie yourself to Verizon if you buy your phone in installments or get some of the best Verizon phone deals.

Verizon has fared well when we've tested customer service for phone carriers, and it continues to offer an extensive selection of phones, including Ultra Wideband versions of some phones designed specifically for Verizon's network. If you don't mind paying a little more on your monthly bill, Verizon provides the performance and service to rank as the best phone carrier overall.

best phone carrier: T-Mobile

(Image credit: T-Mobile)

2. T-Mobile

A good alternative to Verizon

Specifications

Best Unlimited Plan: $70/month Magenta plan
Best Tiered Data Plan: N/A
Best Prepaid Plan: $15/month 3.5GB plan
5G Coverage: 325 million people (nationwide)
Parent Network: T-Mobile

Reasons to buy

+
Attractive unlimited plans
+
Low-cost tiered data plans
+
Excellent perks for subscribers

Reasons to avoid

-
T-Mobile Connect prepaid plans have a hard cap on data

Verizon may be our top-ranked wireless provider, but T-Mobile is close behind, thanks to some terrific plans and extensive 5G coverage. With plans that cost a little bit less than Verizon's, you may find the Uncarrier to be a compelling alternative for your wireless service.

Let's talk about those plans for a moment. T-Mobile has the best unlimited data plan in the business, with its $70 Magenta plan that bakes taxes and fees into the cost of the plan and also lets you use your data when you're overseas (albeit at slower speeds). Healthy discounts as you add lines also make Magenta the best family cell phone plan

For $15 more each month than Magenta, the Magenta Max plan offers better travel and streaming service benefits — you get an Apple TV Plus subscription with Magenta Max. And new Go5G and Go5G Plus Plans add extra hotspot data, increase the data you can use traveling in Mexico and Canada and make it easier to upgrade your phone more frequently.

If you don't need unlimited data, T-Mobile's 3.5GB and 6.5GB Connect plans are among the cheapest you'll find; there's also a $10/month 1GB plan for folks who need just the basics. Those plans also include 5G coverage, a nice benefit for such a budget offering.

In our LTE network testing, we found T-Mobile's LTE download speeds were fast, even if Verizon and AT&T both finished ahead of the Uncarrier the last time we tested. More recent testing by Ookla gives T-Mobile a clean sweep of top speeds for both 5G and overall. Rootmetrics continues to give T-Mobile the nod as the carrier with the fastest and most available 5G coverage. This year, T-Mobile plans to work with SpaceX to use satellites to extend coverage to areas where cellular networks can't reach.

As for 5G, T-Mobile's 5G service now reaches more than 325 million people across the country. Of that total, 265 million can access its faster Ultra Capacity 5G service; T-Mobile says it's targeting 300 million at some point this year. 

The perks T-Mobile customers receive continue to set this service apart from rivals. Weekly T-Mobile Tuesday giveaways include prizes and benefits while T-Mobile's Team of Experts program also provides excellent customer service to subscribers. Family plan subscribers can get the cost of a Netflix account covered as part of their plan, and even Magenta and Go5G customers get a six-month trial to Apple TV Plus.

best phone carrier: Visible

(Image credit: Visible)

3. Visible

A cheaper way to get unlimited data

Specifications

Best Unlimited Plan: $45/month
Best Tiered Data Plan: N/A
Best Prepaid Plan: N/A
5G Coverage: 230 million people (nationwide); 200 million (Ultra Wideband)
Parent Network: Verizon

Reasons to buy

+
Unlimited data starting at $30
+
Visible Plus plan includes international calling, faster 5G service
+
Services uses Verizon's network

Reasons to avoid

-
Speeds can be slowed if network's congested
-
No more discounts on multiple lines

You're not spoiled for choice at Visible, as the Verizon-owned discount carrier offers just two plans, both of which offer unlimited data. The good news is that even the more expensive Visible Plus option is pretty affordable at $45 a month, and the base Visible plan lets you enjoy unlimited data for just $30. Taxes and fees are included in that rate. As of this writing, Visible is offering a discounted rate on both its plans, though that's a limited-time deal set to expire on May 31.

Visible used to place a cap on data speeds, but that restriction was lifted long ago. That means you can enjoy the full power of Verizon's network, with your speeds slowing only should the network get too congested. Subscribers who pay up for Visible Plus get 50GB of premium data before they see any slowdowns. Visible Plus adds other perks like international calling to more than 30 countries, data roaming when traveling in Mexico and Canada and access to Verizon's Ultra Wideband 5G network. (The $30 plan uses Verizon's slower nationwide 5G for coverage.)

Visible's Party Pay option, which brought additional discounts as you added lines to a plan, is no more, and that's a bummer. But at least you can save $20 on one month of service if you refer new customers to Visible. You can bank up to 12 discounts per year.

Visible got its start as an iPhone-only carrier, though it subsequently added Android phones to the mix, from flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S23 to budget offerings like the Google Pixel 7a. An early upgrade program lets you switch to a new device after you've paid off 50% of your phone. You can also bring your own device to Visible. And iPhone owners can try out Visible for free for 15 days using their own device.

best phone carrier: Mint Mobile

(Image credit: Mint Mobile)

4. Mint Mobile

Low rates if you pay upfront

Specifications

Best Unlimited Plan: $30/month unlimited data plan
Best Tiered Data Plan: N/A
Best Prepaid Plan: $20/month 15GB plan
5G Coverage: 325 million people (nationwide)
Parent Network: T-Mobile

Reasons to buy

+
Low monthly rates, especially for unlimited data
+
Uses T-Mobile's network
+
Data amounts increase in April

Reasons to avoid

-
Low rates require a year's commitment
-
Minimal perks

Mint Mobile offers some of the lowest rates around, provided you're willing to pay for coverage up front. Pricing starts at $15 a month for 5GB of LTE data now that Mint has boosted the amount of data included in each plan, while keeping monthly fees the same.

As for that monthly price, it's only available through the first three months of your service. To maintain that low rate, you've got to sign up for a year of coverage, limiting your flexibility to change carriers if you're not satisfied. (That approach also holds true for Mint's 15GB and 20GB plans as well as the carrier's $30-a-month unlimited data plan.) Mint's family plans promise the same discounted rate for each line of data, and you can mix and match different data allotments.

Mint uses T-Mobile's network to provide coverage — in fact T-Mobile is buying Mint. So you should expect fast performance, particularly if you live in an urban area. Mint says you'll get 5G or 4G coverage depending on which signal is stronger — assuming you've got a 5G-compatible phone, of course. 

Speaking of devices, Mint sells both iPhones and Android handsets, at a wide range of prices. You can also bring your current phone to Mint if you prefer. Our Mint Mobile vs. AT&T and Verizon vs. Mint Mobile comparisons offer a closer look at how this discount service compares to bigger phone carriers.

best phone carrier: AT&T

(Image credit: AT&T)

5. AT&T

Some good plans if you know where to look

Specifications

Best Unlimited Plan: $50/month Value Plus
Best Tiered Data Plan: $50/month 4GB
Best Prepaid Plan: $25/month 16GB plan (12 months in advance)
5G Coverage: 290 million people (nationwide)
Parent Network: AT&T

Reasons to buy

+
Extensive network
+
Growing 5G coverage
+
Cheap unlimited plan for individual users

Reasons to avoid

-
No more HBO Max
-
Main plans are pretty pricey

Though it's one of the Big Three carriers, it's somewhat easy to overlook AT&T, given the size of Verizon's network and the headline-grabbing announcements that come out of T-Mobile. But dig beneath the surface, and there's a lot more to this phone carrier.

Take AT&T's plans, which seem somewhat pricey if you focus on the Unlimited Premium option. That particular plan has no cap on data consumption, and you can use talk, text and data for free when traveling in 19 Latin American countries. The $75/month Unlimited Extra and $65/month Unlimited Starter plan round out the main offerings, with fewer perks than what Premium users enjoy.

But if you just need one line of data, it's hard to beat the $50/month Value Plus plan. It's free of perks beyond 5G access and the ability to use your plan in Mexico and Canada, but you get unlimited data and 5G coverage for much less than AT&T's other offerings. (You can't add extra lines of Value Plus, though, so families need to look elsewhere.)

AT&T also has some pretty attractive prepaid options, including a deal that gives you a hefty 16GB of data each month when you prepay for a year of service in advance. That's $300 upfront, and if you can't swing that, there are month-to-month options with generous data allotments. 

It should be said that AT&T typically fares well in performance testing. Rootmetrics' rankings for the second half of 2022 give AT&T sole possession of the best overall network title. (It split honors with Verizon for the first half of last year.) That same report also says AT&T offers the fastest coverage overall.

best phone carrier: Metro by T-Mobile

(Image credit: Metro by T-Mobile)

6. Metro by T-Mobile

A good discount phone carrier

Specifications

Best Unlimited Plan: $60/month Unlimited plan
Best Tiered Data Plan: N/A
Best Prepaid Plan: $30 5GB plan
5G Coverage: 325 million people (nationwide)
Parent Network: T-Mobile

Reasons to buy

+
Many unlimited data options
+
Uses T-Mobile's network
+
5G coverage with compatible phones

Reasons to avoid

-
Few perks outside of most expensive plan
-
Data speeds can be slowed if network is busy

Metro By T-Mobile — you may remember them as MetroPCS — currently pushes unlimited data plans with three different offerings at escalating price ranges. They're separated the perks that come with each option: the $40 unlimited offering is pretty limited, but Metro's $60 plan includes more bonuses than you typically see in a prepaid plan.

Specifically, Metro's most expensive unlimited data plan includes 20GB of hotspot data and 100GB of Google One storage. (Sadly, the best perk — Amazon Prime membership — is no longer available to new Metro customers.) For $50 a month, you'll get unlimited data plus the 100GB of cloud storage, but only 5GB of hotspot data. All unlimited plans at Metro get a year of the ViX Plus streaming service, and the MLS Season Pass benefit that T-Mobile customers enjoy has been extended to Metro as well.

You can add additional lines to your unlimited plan for discounted rates, making Metro an appealing prepaid option for families.

If unlimited data is too much for your budget, Metro still offers a 5GB plan for $30 a month. Taxes and fees are included in Metro plans, so you always know what you're going to pay.

Even better, Metro benefits from using T-Mobile's cellular network for its coverage. While Metro traffic can slow down when T-Mobile's towers get congested, in our testing, that's been a rare occurrence. Metro customers with 5G-capable phones can enjoy T-Mobile's 5G coverage, which now stretches coast to coast.

Metro has a good selection of phones, with around a third of the handsets on sale costing less than $200. You can find additional savings if you port over a phone number when signing up for service with Metro.

best phone carrier: Google Fi

(Image credit: Google Fi)

7. Google Fi Wireless

The best phone carrier if you go with Pixel

Specifications

Best Unlimited Plan: $65/month unlimited
Best Tiered Data Plan: $20/month for talk and text plus $10/GB
Best Prepaid Plan: N/A
5G Coverage: 325 million people (nationwide)
Parent Network: T-Mobile, US Cellular

Reasons to buy

+
Only pay for the data you use
+
Use data and text overseas
+
Optimized for Google Pixels, select Samsung and Moto phones

Reasons to avoid

-
Cheaper unlimited data is available elsewhere

The name has changed to Google Fi Wireless, but the service is essentially the same. And whatever you call it, Google Fi remains the carrier to go to if you buy one of Google's phones like the Pixel 7a or Pixel 7

Pixel devices are optimized for Google's wireless network, allowing them to seamlessly switch between the carriers that provide Google Fi's coverage — T-Mobile and US Cellular at this point — so you'll always have the best connection available. Compatible third-party devices, which include the Samsung Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Flip 4 and several Motorola handsets reap the same benefits. You're not necessarily limited to those phones — iPhones work on Google Fi, too — though those devices won't enjoy optimized coverage.

Google Fi's pricing is pretty compelling if you don't use a lot of data. Google charges you $20 for unlimited talk and text and then just $10 for each gigabyte of data you use. But that's adjusted to the precise amount of data you consume — if you use 2.5GB, say, you'll pay $25 instead of Google rounding up to $30.

Unlimited data plans are more compelling, with Unlimited Plus costing $65 a month and featuring the ability to use your data overseas in more than 200 countries at no extra cost; we think it's one of the best international phone plans. Unlimited Plus also gives you a year's subscription to YouTube Premium. If you don't do that kind of traveling, the Simply Unlimited plan costs $50 a month for one line of data. 

You can now add a Samsung Watch 5 or Pixel Watch to any Google Fi plan with no extra connection fee — a rarity among wireless carriers.

Best phone carrier: Consumer Cellular

(Image credit: Consumer Cellular)

8. Consumer Cellular

The best phone carrier for seniors

Specifications

Best Unlimited Plan: $50/month Unlimited Data
Best Tiered Data Plan: $35/month 10GB plan
Best Prepaid Plan: N/A
5G Coverage: Yes
Parent Network: AT&T, T-Mobile

Reasons to buy

+
Discounts for AARP members
+
Generous amounts of data

Reasons to avoid

-
Cheaper plans elsewhere if you use lots of data
-
Some criticism of customer service

Consumer Cellular is a good option for your cell phone service if you don't want to pay a lot for a big pool of data, now that the discount carrier has streamlined its plans. There are three options, and the best one is the 10GB plan — a lot of data for just $35/month.

We wish Consumer Cellular still offered attractively priced plans for people who don't need a lot of data. But the 1GB plan now costs $20/month — a price that T-Mobile, Boost and Tello easily beat. The $50 unlimited plan is more than what Visible and Mint charge for their coverage.

Because Consumer Cellular offers an additional 5% discount on monthly rates to AARP members, it's become a hit with seniors. The carrier uses both AT&T and T-Mobile for its coverage, so it's likely you'll get good network performance no matter where you are. (And if you buy a recent iPhone or 5G-ready Android phone through the carrier, you can enjoy 5G coverage.) Consumer Cellular does take some criticism for customer service, but it's generally regarded as any easy service for managing your plan and keeping your cell phone costs low.

best phone carrier: Xfinity Mobile

(Image credit: Xfinity Mobile)

9. Xfinity Mobile

A good option if you believe in bundles

Specifications

Best Unlimited Plan: $45/month Unlimited Intro plan
Best Tiered Data Plan: $30/month 3GB plan
Best Prepaid Plan: N/A
5G Coverage: 230 million people (nationwide); 200 million (Ultra Wideband)
Parent Network: Verizon

Reasons to buy

+
Low unlimited rate
+
5G coverage on Verizon's network
+
Discounts on multiple lines of unlimited data

Reasons to avoid

-
Requires Xfinity internet subscription

If you already get your internet service from Comcast — and since it's the nation's biggest internet service provider, you probably do — Xfinity Mobile offers you the opportunity to save money on your monthly phone bill. The Comcast-backed phone carrier uses a combination of Verizon's cellular towers and Xfinity hotspots to offer nationwide phone coverage, growing to 5 million subscribers after five years in operation.

Xfinity's best plan for individuals is its $45 Unlimited Intro plan. Not only is that cheaper than what you'll pay for unlimited coverage at the major phone carriers, it also includes access to Verizon's 5G network if you have a 5G-capable phone. That means you can get 5G for nearly half the cost of what you'd pay for a Verizon unlimited data plan. Because you're also taking advantage of Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots for coverage, Xfinity argues that its data speeds top those of other carriers.

Xfinity Mobile has some generous discounts when you add extra lines to your unlimited plan. While a single line of data will cost you $45 a month, the per-line costs drops to $30 for multi-line accounts. So, two lines of unlimited data would cost $60 per month, while a four line plan will run you $120. That's ideal for families. Additional Plus and Premium unlimited tiers add hotspot data, higher resolution video streaming and bigger data caps before your speeds are slowed for $55 and $65 each month, respectively.

If unlimited data is too much for your needs, Xfinity also offers by-the-gig pricing, starting at $15 for 1GB of data. (The 3GB plan for $30/month is the more generous option.) You can switch between unlimited and by-the-gig plans for months were you don't need a lot of data.

You'll find a good selection of phones at Xfinity, including the latest iPhone and Android flagships, such as the iPhone 14 and Galaxy S23. These days, Xfinity offers better support for bringing your own device beyond just the iPhone; recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices are supported, too, if you already own those phones.

best phone carrier: Boost Mobile

(Image credit: Boost)

10. Boost Mobile

A new era of the discount carrier

Specifications

Best Unlimited Plan: $50/month Unlimited Gigs
Best Tiered Data Plan: N/A
Best Prepaid Plan: $25/month 5GB plan
5G Coverage: 325 million people (nationwide)
Parent Network: T-Mobile/AT&T

Reasons to buy

+
Unlimited plans compare nicely to Metro's
+
Good selection of low-cost phones

Reasons to avoid

-
Unlimited plan isn't truly unlimited
-
Limited perks

Once owned and operated by Sprint, Boost Mobile is now the property of Dish in a $1.4 billion purchase spurred by the Sprint-T-Mobile merger. Boost has kept its name, and it's in the process of switching over to AT&T's network as Dish looks to build out its own network. 

Boost continues to offer the same prepaid plans as before, with your best option being one of the company's two unlimited plans. The $50 plan features 12GB of hotspot data. For $60 a month, you get HD video streaming and 30GB of hotspot data. Both unlimited data plans slow your speeds after you use 35GB of data in a month.

Boost's unlimited prices compare favorably to what you get from Metro by T-Mobile, though T-Mobile's prepaid service doesn't put caps on music and game streaming like Boost does. The best tiered plan at Boost gives you 5GB of data for $25 a month, with 2GB ($15) and 10GB ($35) options as well.

Boost-owner Dish plans to move into postpaid plans this year through the Dish Wireless service. It's already launched an early-access beta for Boost Infinite, its stripped-down unlimited data plan, which costs $25 per month.

What to look for when choosing a phone carrier

The first thing to consider when determining the best phone carrier for your needs is to figure out who has the best coverage in your area. Concentrate on the places where you spend a lot of time and need cell phone service, such as your home, office and frequent hangouts. Our network performance testing looks at download speeds in select cities, and third-party testing can give you an idea of how networks perform on average. But to truly get a picture of local network coverage, you'll need to ask friends and family about their experience.

If you're comfortable looking beyond one of the major cell phone providers, you can always try a discount carrier. These MVNOs turn to the larger networks to provide cellular service, so be sure to find out which network a discount carrier uses to make sure it's one that provides good service to where you live and work.

Once you've figured out which phone carriers offer the best coverage in your areas, look at plans and pricing. You'll need to figure out how much data you need — whether an unlimited plan is required or if you can opt for a cheaper plan with tiered data. We've analyzed the best cell phone plans overall to help you find one that fits your needs.

phone carriers

(Image credit: 10'000 Hours)

One other thing to consider when picking carriers is perks that come included with a monthly streaming service subscription. You'll find more of these with larger carriers, while discount carriers and prepaid cellular service tends to skimp on the extras. Besides streaming services, Popular perks include high-speed hotspot data and the ability to use your plan while traveling overseas. 

How we test phone carriers

We've previously tested network performance by heading out to eight US cities and running Ookla's Speedtest app to measure download speeds. For real-world testing, we download a sizable app off of Google Play and time how fast it takes to get the app on a smartphone. The coronavirus pandemic impacted our ability to travel in recent years, so we've placed a great weight on network performance reports from third-party firms including RootMetrics, Opensignal and Ookla.

Below, you'll see a round-up of the most recent data from each third-party testing firm, with the median download speed recorded for each of the three major carriers. (MVNO customers can expect speeds similar to that of their parent network, with the caveat that an MVNO's speeds might be slowed down if a network is congested.)

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 - Cell 0 OoklaOpensignalRootMetrics
AT&T65.6 Mpbs38.2 Mbps57 Mbps
T-Mobile151.4 Mbps79.5 Mbps151.2 Mbps
Verizon69 Mpbs31.3 Mbps57 Mbps
Period tested4Q, 2022January 20232H, 2022

We continuously review cell phone plans to compare how much data each carrier offers and how unlimited plans vary at each provider. We also look at the best prepaid phone plans, including extras you have to give up for the lower price to evaluate whether those are good deals or not.

We've done customer support testing in the past where we contact carriers incognito to ask them questions both about their service as well as phones they offer. We conduct this undercover testing both over the phone and through social media support accounts on Twitter and Facebook.

Finally, we make a note of the different perks that are available through each carrier, whether it's plan add-ons like streaming services and hotspot data, regular giveaways or the ability to use data when traveling in other countries.

Philip Michaels

Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

  • Julius544
    While a lot of this is correct, you missed some huge points.

    Verizon currently only has a 2% market depth penetration for 5G, making them the slowest provider to get 5G out as well as farthest behind.. They are slow because they are a CDMA network (as Sprint was) and the architecture for the network is closer to GSM (At&t and Tmobile) than CDMA.

    T-Mobile put Sprint out of their misery being on the bring of bankruptcy by buying them out, so they don't have to solve the CDMA as they still to this day could not make calls and use data at the same time! Now T-mobile has to figure out how to put all of Sprints wireless spectrum and integrated with their network. The bad part is they assumed all of Sprint's debt as well, so now they have to try to keep up with Verizon and At&t weighed down by debt as well. But hey, and least Sprint didn't fall into a too big to fair category with the US Government. Amirite?

    I'm not saying these other companies don't have debt too, but I am saying that Sprint's debt is a crushing debt and should be factored in as its in a LOT of peoples best interest that Tmobile does well as a lot of palms have been greased to insure it.

    At&t, according to Speedtest.net and Ookla is the fastest network on average in the nation, and Speedtest has been the speediest bar for decades! They also have had two services, At&t Call Protect and At&t Mobile Security, that have been getting rid of spam calls for years before T-mobile even thought of this idea.

    There is also no mention of Dish Network, and how the tmobile deal came into play in the first place. For fear of making this run long, I will leave you all to do your research.

    I am saying all of this to say this piece reads as a piece written off of potential of networks, and not of well researched current facts. This piece should be valid in seven years or so, but there were obviously certain carriers who were not properly researched, or tech trends properly measured. Please do better. Thanks.

    In case you're wondering, if this evolves into a piece regarding current state and not a potential piece, between At&t's Firstnet commitments and government required investments in their network, Verizon coverage getting smaller as VoLTE evolves, and T-mobile's lack of rural market coverage, this is all kind of a no brainer. At&t is winning the day currently and should for at least the next 4 years.
    Reply
  • ember1205
    For the Straight Talk section, the statement "now that you can use SIM cards tied to specific networks for Straight Talk's service" was included. Now? I'm curious to better understand this comment because my experience with ST (goes back to at least 2016) is that they have always used carried-tied SIM cards and you had to choose the correct one when activating a BYO device.
    Reply