Phone plans are paid agreements where mobile carriers allow their clients to receive and make calls, send and receive text messages, and use the internet through cellular data on their network.
The three major mobile phone service carriers in the United States are T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. These are usually referred to as Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), meaning they own or control the infrastructure from a regulatory body for selling and delivering services to users.
There are other resellers, or Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), that are branded resellers of wireless technology like Boost Mobile, Cricket, Mint Mobile, Visible, etc. These typically have lower charges than the MNOs because they don't invest in licensing or network infrastructure.
Having a good phone plan not only makes it easier and faster to communicate but also helps regulate your monthly charges.
Before choosing, you must decide whether you want a cheap, pre-paid, family mobile, senior, or unlimited data phone plan.
Mint Mobile is one of the most common and cheapest MVNOs and is the best when looking for a single-user plan. Their plans start at $15, and you get 4GB, making it a suitable choice if you use your phone for minor things like social media and other less data-intensive apps.
You can also get an unlimited offer from this MVNO that gives you 35GB of data on T-Mobile's 5G or 4G Lite network, unlimited text and calls nationwide, 5GB of mobile hotspot data, and free calls to Canada and Mexico. The plan gives you a seven-day trial, after which you pay $30 monthly for three months.
Tello Economy is another affordable MVNO whose rates start at $10 monthly per line for 1GB of data over T-Mobile's 5G or 4G Lite networks. It also includes unlimited texting and talking, free calls to over 60 international countries, and mobile hotspot tethering.
The T-Mobile Magenta plan is one of the best if you are looking for high speeds. For $70 monthly, including fees and taxes, it covers up to five lines, has 5GB of mobile hotspot, 100GB of high-speed data, unlimited texting and talking around the US and to other countries, standard definition cell phone video streaming, and a basic Netflix account.
You can also try the pre-paid Verizon $50 pre-paid monthly plan offering 15GB over a 5G network with a $5 discount. You can also use their unlimited plan for $80 monthly for one line. You get 50GB over a 5G network, subscriptions to several streaming services, unlimited texting and calling all over the US, Canada, and Mexico, and 25GB of mobile hotspot data. You can also access 4K streaming and Disney Plus free for the first six months.
If you want to enjoy Verizon's network and coverage for a lower price, you can try the Visible and Visible+ monthly unlimited plans for $30 and $45, including fees and taxes. They give you unlimited mobile hotspot data, spam protection, unlimited calls and texts in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and access to 5G and 4GLite Verizon networks.