There are many mobile network operators (MNOs) in the US. Nearly 30 facilities-based mobile service providers in the US are the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) members. Over a hundred members of the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA). Among the facility-based providers, the top three mobile networks are AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile US, and Verizon which provide wireless data and phone services to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). Here are the 10 best mobile companies in the United States;
10 Best Mobile Companies in the United States
Following are the 10 best mobile companies in the United States;
- Mint Mobile
- AT&T Wireless
- Visible
- T- Mobile
- Verizon
- Xfinity Mobile
- US Mobile
- Metro by T-Mobile
- Cricket Wireless
- Google Fi
1) Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile is a mobile virtual network provider based in the United States. The company was established in 2015 by Ultra Mobile founders Rizwan Kassim and David Glickman, as Mint Sim, a subsidiary of Ultra Mobile. Mint Mobile focuses on cheap data plans so it can be a good choice for budget-minded users. Mint Mobile provides options to users to buy an eSIM online or a physical SIM card. Users pay in increments of three, six, or twelve months. Mint Mobile offers users discounts that depend on the length of the subscription. To get the best rate of the Mint, users pay in advance for a year of service. In March 2023, Mint Mobile was able to attain regulatory approval from T-Mobile US.
2) American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T)
AT&T ranks among the largest three mobile companies in the United States. It has its network of cell towers and it operates them independently. The headquarters of AT&T are based in Downtown Dallas, Texas. The company began as the American District Telegraph Company in 1878 in St. Louis. Later, it expanded its services to Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma through mergers.
It was founded as Bell Telephone Company, later it became American Bell Telephone Company in 1881. American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) was one of its subsidiaries, established in 1885. In 1899, AT&T became a parent company by acquiring the assets of American Bell Telephone Company. Throughout the 20th century, AT&T maintained its monopoly by establishing a network of local telephone subsidiaries in the United States.
However, currently, there are over 230 million AT&T customers in the United States. Charges start around $30/ month which is much lower than the Mint Mobile charges. AT&T shines in terms of plans for veterans and active military personnel, which they can also offer to their families.
3) Visible
Visible is the best-prepaid cell phone provider launched by Verizon in 2018. It supports Android and Apple devices. The service is less expensive than Verizon, offering unlimited data, talk, text, and hotspots. Verizon has an adequate range of phones, covering the most recent iPhone 14 series, the Google Pixel 7 Pro, and premium Samsung models such as the S23 Ultra. Other than that, there are a few user-budget phones as well as numerous good mid-range selections. Among the numerous additional benefits of Visible is the handy Visible app, which allows you to handle every part of your account as well as invite more people to join your “Party” saving you both money each month.
In 2020, Visible was named in the Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list. In 2021, it was ranked as the Best Telecom Brand by Adweek. Further, Visible was renamed Visible by Verizon in June 2022. Later in November 2022, Visible joined the Verizon Value organization, led by Angie Klein.
4) T-Mobile
T-Mobile International AG was founded by Deutsche Telekom in 1999 for its mobile communications subsidiaries. T-Mobile International was one of Deutsche Telekom’s services between 2003 – 2007, along with “Business Customers,” “Broadband/Fixnet,” and “Group HQ and Shared Services.” Deutsche Telekom modified its organizational structure in 2009 to set up a regional system (Europe, Germany, US). T-Mobile International itself has been merged into Deutsche Telekom AG by integrating its formerly independent fixed and mobile subsidiaries into single integrated local companies.
T-Mobile is America’s largest 5G network and offers the fastest 4G LTE nationwide coverage. T- T-Mobile is an excellent choice for your home fiber and goes completely 5G with unlimited data. T-Mobile additionally offers banking with savings possibilities for those wireless users who utilize both of the provider’s services. However, T-Mobile has an additional benefit among other major carriers given that it has more effective customer satisfaction ratings.
5) Verizon
Verizon is an American mobile phone provider, formerly known as Verizon Wireless. Verizon reformed in 2019 and abandoned the Verizon Wireless name, moving its wireless products into the Verizon Business and Verizon Consumer. Verizon has 144.8 million users by December 31, 2023, making it the second-largest wireless provider in the US. It provides 5G and 4G LTE networks nationwide that serve about 99 percent of people. In the second half of 2020, it achieved or competed for first place in every category by the RootMetrics RootScore Reports.
Given the reliable nature of Verizon’s 5G network, you might consider saving money on your home internet provider by signing up for an unlimited 5G package and utilizing it for most of your broadband needs at home.
6) Xfinity Mobile
Xfinity is a telecommunications company that provides wireless, phone service, cable TV, internet, and mobile phone networks. If you plan to use Xfinity for the home internet, they will additionally offer a more favorable rate on a cell plan. One benefit of Xfinity is that it functions on Verizon’s network, giving customers access to the broadest-covering and fastest network in the United States. Verizon is a major incentive here given that it was named the finest 5G provider.
Cell phones have an excellent range, and you can pay for your mobile plan on a download basis if you do not want to have unlimited internet. Further, a 1GB data plan starts at $15. That still includes unlimited calls. It makes the perfect plan for those who already have Xfinity, and if you want to get internet service, you should think about buying a cell plan as well.
7) US Mobile
US Mobile is an American mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) providing text, call, and data services to its subscribers through the fastest mobile networks in the US, i.e., the T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless networks. With all of its cellphone plans, Unlimited Premium plans and “Warp Speed 5G” are included and automatically include free international data.
The provider offers customization which means that customers only pay for what he/she uses. In comparison to an unlimited everything plan from one of the significant three cell phone companies, such an approach can save usage-conscious customers a significant amount of money. In this case, it just costs $8 a month if all you are looking for is unlimited texting and talking. In case your preferences alter, you may always add minutes, messages, or data to your account.
8) Metro by T- Mobile
Metro by T-Mobile (formerly known as MetroPCS) provides affordable prepaid wireless packages for a variety of no-contract devices and smartphones. It is less costly and provides more transparent pricing than T-Mobile, but it still provides use of the excellent high-speed network of its parent network company. Previously, it employed code-division multiple access (CDMA) for operating the fifth-largest mobile telecommunications network in the United States.
As it is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), Metro customers sometimes come across data de-prioritization to direct T-Mobile customers that operate on T-Mobile’s network services. Metro users may experience reduced performance if a large number of people use T-Mobile’s network in the same locations at the same time. Similar issues may arise with carriers like Mint Mobile.
9) Cricket Wireless
Leap Wireless International established Cricket Wireless in March 1999. Cricket Wireless, owned by AT&T, is an American wireless service provider. It offers a wireless network to 10 million subscribers in the United States. In March 2014, AT&T obtained Leap Wireless International and later combined Aio Wireless and Cricket Wireless. Cricket Wireless mostly competes against Dish’s Boost Mobile, T-Mobile’s Metro by T-Mobile, and Verizon’s Visible in the prepaid wireless market.
Cricket Wireless generally provides good value, with costs much less than equivalent plans on its parent network and comparable to other carrier-owned prepaid networks. Cricket offers discounts for groups for several lines, and the carrier frequently offers specials for new customers, granting features like free or discounted smartphones if you shift from another carrier.
The data speed constraints are the primary downside of Cricket’s service. All other plans carry an 8 Mbps download speed cap, up to the data distribution, aside from the highest unlimited plan, which has no limit on the download speed cap. However, concerning plan savings and outstanding client service, Cricket Wireless is among the greatest options.
10) Google Fi
Google Fi Wireless, also known as Google Fi and Project Fi is an American mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) which employs Wi-Fi and cellular networks to supply mobile broadband, SMS, and telephone calls. The network was launched in 2015, for the Nexus 6 customers only by invitations. The service was available to the public on March 7, 2016. T-Mobile is one of the networks used by Google Fi. Google Fi will only be available to residents of the US by late 2023.
It started working with additional device models, including the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones in 2016. Google renamed Project Fi as Google Fi on November 28, 2018, and made it work with more device models, including partially with iPhones. In 2023, it was once again rebranded as Google Fi Wireless. The limitation is that Google Fi is an MVNO provider, which means it relies upon other networks, like T-Mobile, and lacks its own network. Although several companies follow the action, Google Fi goes far beyond by utilizing a variety of networks and swapping between them based on everything that offers the best service at any given moment.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for cost-effectiveness, nationwide coverage, or flexibility, there is a list of mobile providers in the US Markets. All of them are providing customers with the most effective services catering to various budgets and preferences. From emerging companies to industry giant players, each company has a unique set of benefits and features including 5G, unlimited international data, inflight data, home packages, and many more. Among all, three main cellular companies are more popular in the United States, T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T Mobility. They are American mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) offering offer data services, texts, and talks to their customers.
FAQs
What are the features of T-Mobile?
T-Mobile offers inflight Wifi with some packages, unlimited text, data, and talk, in Canada, Mexico, and the US, 5GB of international data, and unlimited international texts.
What is the most popular mobile operator in the United States?
The largest and most popular mobile operators in the United States are Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T Mobility.
What services does US Mobile use?
US Mobile is an American mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile networks to offer data services, texts, and talks to their customers.