Any cellular carrier that uses a network that it does not own to serve its clients is known as a mobile virtual network operator or MVNO. A mobile network operator (MNO) is a traditional carrier that owns its own infrastructure and network. Mobile virtual network operators rely on an MNO to supply and maintain the network for its consumers. An MVNO uses the equipment and infrastructure of a regular carrier to deliver service to its subscribers. You can think of a mobile virtual network operator or MVNO as a reseller of wireless network services.
In the US, there are just three significant MNOs: Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Although you may find a few smaller, locally focused MNOs, such as US Cellular, the majority of wireless service providers in the USA are MVNOs – over one hundred of them. That is a lot of mobile virtual network operators. In this guide, we’ll provide a list of some of the best mobile virtual network operators in the United States, as well as their best features that you can benefit from.
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What Options are the Best Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in the US?
There isn’t a single MVNO choice that is suitable for everyone. MVNOs typically offer plans to suit a variety of demands and budgets, and they can also provide specialty services to target specific markets. So, the best option for you will rely on your unique needs and whether or not those needs fall into a niche market.
Nonetheless, below are some of the best mobile virtual network operators currently available in the US, so you can look through their features and identify which one works best for you.
1. Airvoice Wireless
Founded in 1999, Airvoice Wireless is among the top options on the list of United States MVNOs. Its plan starts at $18 per month and among its best features, it offers Pay-as-you-go options and includes international texting.
However, this MVNO service does not sell phones, and the majority of its plans have hard data caps and do not offer limitless 2G slow data. Moreover, their website misleads users because only half of the data displayed for the majority of plans are at high speed, while the other half is at slow speed.
2. Allvoi Wireless
Another option on the list of United States MVNOs is Allvoi Wireless. It starts at $15 per month and offers greater autopay reductions than usual and all plans come with international calling. Moreover, its custom-built designs are offered with pay-by-the-minute options.
The phone selection, however, is constrained to mainly mid-range to high-end models. Moreover, its costs are typically 20% greater when autopay is not activated.
3. AT&T Postpaid
AT&T Postpaid is another great option on the list of United States MVNOs, a rather popular choice with 95.2 million subscribers. With AT&T Postpaid, there are several phone options available for various budgets, as well as excellent family plan possibilities. Also, there are numerous options for customer support, as well as multi-month discount programs.
On the other hand, low-usage clients cannot really find any affordable monthly phone plans since it starts at $50 per month, much more than other options. Also, purchasing the annual plan is necessary for single-line users to get the best value.
4. AT&T Prepaid
This is another choice on our list of mobile virtual network operators in the United States, and it offers competitively priced really unlimited data plans as well as reasonable-cost phone options. There are also extensive customer support choices and multi-month discount programs available, just like the postpaid alternative. Unlike the postpaid alternative, it starts at $25 per month, a considerably cheaper option.
However, there aren’t any genuine low-cost monthly phone plans available for clients who choose this choice. Also, buying its annual plan is necessary to get the best deal for single-line consumers without unlimited data.
5. Black Wireless
You may also find Black Wireless to be a suitable option so it’s on our list of United States MVNOs. Pay-as-you-go options and discounts for multi-month service payments are both available. This mobile virtual network operator also serves users with modest usage that are concerned with costs. All plans include international calling and texting, with prices starting at $20 per month.
It does not, however, offer phones, and there are no plans available for heavy data users.
List of all United States Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)
- 7-Eleven Speak-out
- Affinity Mobile
- Air Voice Wireless
- Allvoi Wireless
- Altice Mobile
- Armed Forces Wireless / My AF Mobile
- Assist Wireless
- Assurance Wireless
- Beast Mobile
- Best Cellular
- Black Wireless
- Boom Mobile
- Boost Mobile
- Boss Revolution Mobile
- CellNUVO
- Cellular Abroad
- Charity Mobile
- Chit Chat Mobile
- Community Phone
- Consumer Cellular
- CREDO Mobile
- Cricket Wireless
- DataXoom
- easyGO
- Eco Mobile
- EXTREMEConnect .me
- enTouch Wireless
- Flash Wireless
- FreedomPop
- FreeUp Mobile
- Gen Mobile
- Global Data Telecom
- Good2Go Mobile
- Google Fi
- GoSmart Mobile
- GreatCall
- H2O Wireless
- Helium Mobile
- Hello Mobile
- i3 Mobile
- Ideal Mobile
- Jethro Mobile
- Jolt Mobile
- Kajeet
- Karma
- KidsConnect
- Kroger Wireless
- Kynect
- Lexvor
- Liberty Wireless
- Life Wireless
- Lycamobile
- Madstar Mobile
- Mango Mobile
- Metro by T-Mobile (formerly Metro PCS)
- MetTel Mobile
- Mint Mobile
- MobileX
- Mobal
- NET10 wireless
- netTALK Connect
- Onstar
- Optimum Mobile
- OTG Mobile
- Page Plus Cellular
- Patriot Mobile
- Pix Wireless
- Pond Mobile
- Project Fi
- Proven Services
- Pulse Cellular
- Puppy Wireless
- Pure Talk USA
- Q Link Wireless
- Reach Mobile
- Ready Mobile
- Red Pocket Mobile
- Republic Wireless
- Safelink
- SafetyNet Wireless
- Scratch Wireless
- Seawolf Wireless
- Secure Phone
- Selectel Wireless
- Simple Mobile
- Spectrum Mobile
- Speedtalk Mobile
- StandUp Wireless
- Straight Talk
- Tag Mobile
- Telcel America
- Tello Mobile
- Telkit
- Tempo Telecom
- TerraCom Wireless
- Tesix Wireless
- TextNow
- Ting Mobile
- Total Wireless
- Tracfone Wireless
- Truphone / TruConnect
- Twigby
- Ultra Mobile
- Unreal Mobile
- US Mobile
- Venn Mobile
- Virgin Mobile USA
- Visible
- Walmart Family Mobile
- Wing
- Wow!
- Xfinity Mobile
- Yodole Mobile
- Zing Mobile
Last words on mobile virtual network operators in the U.S.
As the MVNO landscape continues to evolve, the top players have demonstrated their ability to adapt to changing consumer demands, providing reliable, affordable, and innovative mobile services. Whether it is affordability, flexible plans, extensive coverage, or unique features, many MVNOs have successfully carved out their niches, providing alternatives to traditional carrier options. Ultimately, their success lies in their ability to deliver quality service, exceptional value, and customer satisfaction, ensuring a bright future for the top mobile virtual network operator s in the United States.