Switch to an MVNO and Slash Your Phone Bill Without Losing Coverage
Engadget explains why budget carriers known as MVNOs can deliver reliable service on the same networks as the big three, often at a fraction of the price.
Most people don't need to pay $50 to $100 per month for wireless service. That’s the price range for single-line postpaid plans from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and those plans often come with perks you may never use. The 'free' phone promotions are usually tied to the most expensive tiers, and you’ll pay off the device over two to three years before you actually own it.
Mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs, offer a cheaper alternative. They buy network capacity from the big three carriers and resell it under their own brands. Subscribers connect to the same towers, though they may experience slower speeds when the network is crowded because the carriers prioritize their own customers. Most MVNOs run on a prepaid basis, which means you pay in advance and avoid credit checks.
MVNOs keep prices low by stripping away overhead. Many have no physical stores, handle support online or over the phone, and avoid bundling streaming subscriptions with their plans. Device financing, when available, is often handled by a third party like Affirm rather than the carrier.
The major MVNOs differ in structure and perks. Mint Mobile, owned by T-Mobile, offers its cheapest rate when you pay for a year in advance: $15 per month for a 6GB plan. Other tiers go up to 50GB of data. Visible, which runs on Verizon, offers a $25-per-month plan with unlimited data and hotspot use, plus a higher tier that includes faster Ultra Wideband 5G and some international roaming days. US Mobile stands out for supporting all three networks; you choose one during setup and can switch later for a small fee. It also has family plans that share a data pool and custom plans where you pick the minutes, texts, and data you need. Google Fi Wireless is a good fit for frequent international travelers, with its Unlimited Premium plan providing 50GB of data in most countries and its Flexible plan charging $20 for talk and text plus $10 per gigabyte.
Switching to an MVNO requires a few steps. You’ll need to check coverage and phone compatibility on the provider’s website. If you’re still paying off a device through a major carrier, you’ll have to settle that balance first. Unlocking your phone may also be required if you plan to bring it along. The switch itself is guided by the MVNO’s app, and most modern phones support eSIM, which makes the process faster than waiting for a physical SIM card.
Engadget’s reporter has used MVNOs since 2015, starting with Google Fi and later moving to Mint Mobile. In that time, speeds have been sufficient for everyday tasks, and there were only rare hiccups. Notably, the cheapest Mint plan originally started at 3GB per month, then increased to 4GB in 2021, 5GB in 2023, and 6GB in 2026, all at no extra cost.
The core argument is that you’re likely paying too much if you’re on a major carrier's postpaid plan. Buying an unlocked phone outright and pairing it with a budget MVNO can save you money in the long run. The key is to assess your actual data usage and ignore 'unlimited' plans if you only need a few gigabytes per month.