Major Carriers Overview
The Big Three carriers dominate the US market:
- AT&T: Best 4G coverage (2.71M sq miles)
- Verizon: Most reliable rural coverage
- T-Mobile: Largest 5G network (53% population coverage)
Emerging Players
- Google Fi: Hybrid network (T-Mobile + US Cellular + WiFi) ideal for travelers
- Helium Mobile: $5/month crypto-powered 5G (Miami pilot)
Carrier Showdown: AT&T vs T-Mobile vs Verizon
| Feature | AT&T | T-Mobile | Verizon |
|---|
| 5G Speed (Median) | 86 Mbps | 220 Mbps | 133 Mbps |
| 4G Coverage | 68% of US landmass | 59% of US landmass | 70% of US landmass |
| Perks | HBO Max | Netflix+ | Disney Bundle |
| Price (1-line) | $65/month | $60/month | $80/month |
| Int’l Roaming | 120+ countries | 210+ countries | 200+ countries |
MVNO Comparison (2024 Update)
| Network | Top Providers |
|---|
| AT&T | Cricket ($30 unlimited), Boost Infinite ($25) |
| Verizon | Visible ($25 unlimited), US Mobile ($29) |
| T-Mobile | Mint Mobile ($15), Google Fi ($20), Helium ($5 Miami-only) |
Plan Recommendations
Budget Plans (<$10)
- Ultra Mobile PayGo: $3/mo - 100min/100 texts/100MB data
- Tello Custom: Build your own plan from $5/mo
- Helium Mobile: $5/mo unlimited (Miami residents only)
Mid-Tier ($10-$50)
| Plan | Price | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|
| Google Fi Flexible | $20+ | International travel | $10/GB in 200+ countries |
| Mint Mobile | $15 | Light users | 5GB data + unlimited talk/text |
| T-Mobile Essentials | $25/line | Families | 50GB premium data |
Premium Plans
- T-Mobile Go5G Plus: $44/line (5 lines) - 100GB data + free Netflix
- Verizon Unlimited Plus: $50/line - 5G Ultra Wideband access
Pro Tips
Free Number Preservation
Transfer existing numbers to Google Voice ($20 fee):
- Sign in to voice.google.com
- Navigate to “Port a number”
- Provide account number + PIN from current carrier
- Pay one-time $20 fee
Trial Offers
- T-Mobile Network Pass: 3-month free trial (eSIM required)
- Verizon Test Drive: 30-day money-back guarantee
FAQ
Q: Which carrier has the best 5G?
A: T-Mobile leads in mid-band coverage (2.5GHz), while Verizon dominates mmWave speeds.
Q: How to avoid activation fees?
A: Most carriers waive $35 fee when signing up online.
Q: Best family plan?
A: T-Mobile’s 5-line Go5G Plus at $220/mo includes Netflix and Apple TV+.
Q: International usage hack?
A: Enable WiFi Calling before traveling abroad for free US calls over WiFi.