Choosing a Phone Plan Provider

You may not be switching to a new landline when you move, but you’ll still want to evaluate your phone plan. Even if you’ve had the same phone provider forever, coverage and costs can vary widely depending on where you live, and you may end up paying more and getting less without even being aware of it. It’s important then that you do some quick research after you move to make sure that you’re choosing a phone provider that best meets your needs—and that you make a switch if you can get a better deal with another provider.

Choosing a Phone Plan: Data vs. Coverage

Before you start looking at pricing, you’ll want to consider logistics. Namely: are you more concerned with choosing a phone plan that gives you flexibility in data usage, or do you need a plan that offers robust coverage? Do you need both?

Small providers generally have more data flexibility, and many even offer plans that allow you to only pay for the data that you use so that you don’t end up with a ton of wasted data every month. If you don’t use your phone for streaming, then a small provider may be your most cost-efficient option.

Large providers, on the other hand, have less data flexibility but usually take the cake in terms of coverage—meaning you’ll have more reliable service in more places. If you use lots of data and want lots of coverage, then a larger provider is probably your best bet.

Phone Providers

Pricing, data, and plan details can vary depending on where you live. This quick breakdown of the various providers is a good jumping off point, but be sure to check the specifics for your zip code to ensure you can get the plan that’s right for you. Note that all price details are for service for one line.

AT&T

AT&T is one of the big four carriers, meaning that it owns its own cell phone towers for more reliability. It also offers some of the best coverage in the country. Both restricted and unlimited data plans are available, with prices varying widely depending on your data needs.

Cost: $30 to $95 per month.

Boost Mobile

Boost offers pre-paid, no-contract plans that can be a good choice if you don’t want to commit long-term. Boost uses Sprint’s network, providing it with better coverage than some of the other small providers, and their unlimited data plans include hotspot data so you can use your phone for wi-fi if needed.

Cost: $30 to $60 per month.

Consumer Cellular

Affordable low-data plans and decent coverage make Consumer Cellular a good choice for those who aren’t expecting much out of their phones. The variety of plans allows you to mix-and-match options so you can choose your best fit, though no unlimited data plans are available on the network.

Cost: $15 to $55 per month.

CREDO Mobile

CREDO Mobile is a small provider that operates on Verizon’s network, and unlimited data plans are available. The defining feature of this provider is that a portion of the proceeds from each plan support progressive causes, though plans are quite expensive as far as small providers go.

Cost: $30 to $80 per month, plus $20 per smartphone per month.

Cricket

Cricket offers affordable unlimited plans and broad coverage on the AT&T network. The biggest drawback commonly noted however is the data caps, which slow your phone down once you’ve hit 3Mbsp of data—even on an unlimited plan.

Cost: $30 to $60 per month.

Google Fi

If you’re using your phone just as a phone, then you may like Google Fi, which offers unlimited calls and texts with limited data. It also offers flexibility, with the ability to switch between a month-to-month unlimited plan and a pay-per-gig plan.

Cost: $30 to $70 per month.

Net10 Wireless

Net10 offers pre-paid plans that connect you to whatever carrier has the strongest signal where you are instead of offering its own network. That can be great for coverage, especially since they offer unlimited data. The downside? Low data caps that slow you down once you’ve hit a certain amount of usage.

Cost: $20 to $60 per month.

Red Pocket

Red Pocket is a small provider that lets you choose which of the major networks you want to join instead of being tied to a specific one. You can choose the network with the best coverage in your area, but it can get complicated doing your own research and navigating SIM cards and network options.

Cost: $19 to $40 per month.

Straight Talk

Straight Talk, which is only available for purchase through Walmart and the Straight Talk website, works on all four major networks, with your specific one depending on where you live. That’s good news in terms of coverage, but data can run slow and you’ll have to navigate a SIM card to get you current phone up to date.

Cost: $34 to $59 per month.

Ting

Ting prices plans based on how much you use, so if you don’t use much, it’s a cheap choice. However, prices get steep if you’re a heavy data user, and you won’t know what you owe until you get your bill at the end of each month.

Cost: Plans start at $6 per month.

T-Mobile/Sprint

These two major providers just merged, but no price changes are expected for three years. Current Sprint users will get more coverage now, and users of both carriers will be able to take advantage of wide network coverage and a variety of unlimited data plans.

Cost: T-Mobile offers one plan starting at $60 per month; Sprint plans run about $40 to $85 per month

U.S. Cellular

As the fifth biggest network in the country, U.S. Cellular offers a wide variety of options for choosing a phone plan that meets your needs—however, coverage can be spotty, and gets even spottier if you’re traveling.

Cost: $40 to $80 per month.

Verizon

Verizon is one of the big four providers, and offers the most extensive coverage plus high-speed data performance. Prices tend to run higher than other plans—even others in the big four—but they’re no contract so if your budget changes you can easily go somewhere else.

Cost: $70 to $90 per month.

Choosing a Phone Plan That Works For You

Any of the big four providers (AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint/T-Mobile) will provide you with the most coverage, but their plans might not accurately reflect your data needs. When researching plans and providers, be sure to look at coverage maps to see what’s offered (or not) in your area, and look at your existing data usage to see if you need an unlimited plan or would be better off paying for what you use.