Do Discount Phones Have the Same Coverage?

A T-Mobile store in Boston, Mass., on Oct. 14, 2022. (Michael Dwyer/AP Photo)

Americans spend millions of dollars on cell phones. A cell phone can be a significant investment, from buying the phone to going on a plan.

Saving money on a sale phone plan is most people’s goal. And one option is to go with a discount plan. But do those inexpensive plans have the same coverage as the big three?

How Cell Phone Coverage Works

In the United States, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile are the three major phone networks. They’re called carriers. Each carrier owns a set of radio wave frequencies and bands. And each has towers to transmit and receive these radio frequencies. This is how users access data. The data allow users to make phone calls and send texts.

Unfortunately, not all carriers offer the same coverage. You may have noticed that in rural areas, service is a little spotty.

Which Carriers Have the Best Network Coverage?

For the best 4GLTE coverage, Verizon has 70 percent of the United States. But it lags behind T-Mobile and AT&T when it comes to 5G. In addition, Verizon is slightly behind AT&T in speed.

AT&T is second in coverage for 4GLTE, with its network covering 68 percent of the country.

T-Mobile coverage falls short of AT&T’s and Verizon’s. It has 62 percent coverage, but it has the largest 5G network and the fastest speeds.

This is important to know if you go with a discount carrier.

Discount Carriers Use Competitors’ Networks

The national wireless service is dominated by the big three. Other carriers are called mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). These MVNOs lease access to the larger carrier’s networks.

Because MVNOs aren’t paying for the network infrastructure that the larger ones are, they can offer less-expensive plans. This allows an MNVO to offer a high-quality level of coverage without paying the costs of maintaining a network.

For example, xfinity mobile, RedPocket, Reach, Twigby, and v˙s˙ble are all carriers on Verizon’s network. AT&T hosts Cricket, Consumer Cellular, and Straight Talk Wireless.

An MVNO receives the same speeds, coverage, and performance as one of the big three providers. But there is one exception.

Discount Carrier’s Not Prioritized by Networks

Discount carrier users may not always be prioritized in congested areas. During peak times, if you’re using a lot of data, you may find that your download time is painfully slow.

For example, if T-Mobile is experiencing high traffic during a peak period, Mint Mobile or Simple Mobile will have reduced speeds available. That’s because T-Mobile customers are the priority.

Pros of Choosing Discount Phone Plans

The biggest pro to choosing a discount carrier is the monthly plan cost since they don’t have to pay for the network’s structure.

For example, the most inexpensive plan from one of the primary providers may cost you around $60 per month for one line and unlimited data. But the same service on an MVNO might be more like $30 or $40.

Discount MVNO plans often include unlimited talk, text data, etc., but you have the option to choose plans that limit this. In other words, you pay for what you need. Of course, you can also downgrade if you’re not using as much and save more money.

And since most of these discount carriers have eliminated overages, if you go over your monthly 10 gigabytes, which is high-speed data, you’ll be slowed down. You can always upgrade if needed.

Most MVNO cell phone coverage is the same as the big provider carriers. But make sure the MVNO is using a provider that has strong coverage in your area.

Cons of Choosing Discount Phone Plans

Once major con is your usage is not the priority. During peak cell phone usage times, you could find yourself slowed down. So, if you live in a large city or another congested area, your line could be slower than someone on a provider carrier.

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all have storefronts. That’s not the case with the MVNOs. The majority of MVNOs don’t have a physical location. MVNOs rely on online customer service. So, if you need or want direct physical help, that usually doesn’t exist.

When you sign up with one of the main providers, you usually purchase your phone through them. Some of them will give you one for free if you sign a contract.

This isn’t the case with a discount phone carrier. It’s “BYOP,” or bring your own phone, so you don’t receive a bundle deal. This can be an inconvenience, and this is especially true if your last carrier locked your phone.

A locked phone can’t be transferred. That’s because it contains a software code that doesn’t allow you to use SIM cards from other wireless phone services. Instead, you'll have to buy a new phone.

Phone Plan Depends on Individual’s Needs

Which phone plan you purchase comes down to your needs. If cost is the only thing that matters, then a discount phone carrier might be the best option.

But you won’t have access to prompt customer service or a new phone from the MVNP. You also might be the victim of slow speeds during peak usage periods.

Consider your priorities and where you’re located when deciding.

The Epoch Times Copyright © 2022 The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.