Which Networks Support Prepaid Wireless Service? (2021) GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones > Android 493 493 people found this article helpful
Which Networks Support Prepaid Wireless Service? (2021)
Discover how prepaid wireless service can use networks for much less
By Adam Fendelman Adam Fendelman Writer University of Missouri-Columbia Adam Fendelman is a syndicated technology writer and senior web designer whose focus was on web analytics and web design among other things. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 2, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Android Switching from iOS AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless are the big three cellphone carriers in the United States. (A fourth major carrier, Sprint, was acquired by T-Mobile in 2020.) Often called mobile network operators (MNOs), they own their networks and compete aggressively on price, plans, and phones. How Prepaid Carriers Work
Prepaid wireless carriers, on the other hand, typically price their no-contract plans lower than the MNOs because these carriers don't maintain their own network infrastructure and licensed radio spectrum. Instead, most prepaid carriers are mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), which means they buy minutes wholesale from the major carriers and resell them to you at retail prices. If you're in the market for a new phone plan with better speed, service, or some other feature, plenty of phone plans are available for you to purchase. Networks Used for Prepaid Service
If you're interested in using a prepaid phone from, say, Cricket, you'd want to know the network on which it operates. Let's say you've been unhappy with AT&T's coverage in your area in the past. In that case, you'd want to avoid Cricket, which uses the AT&T network. Below is a list of networks that support a lower-cost prepaid wireless carrier. Assess the pros and cons of a prepaid phone plan if you're not sure if pay-as-you-go plans are the right choice for you. AT&T: Owns and operates its own network. Boost Mobile: Uses the T-Mobile network. Consumer Cellular: Uses the AT&T network. Cricket: Uses the AT&T network. Jitterbug: Uses the Verizon Wireless network. Kajeet: Uses the T-Mobile network. Metro by T-Mobile: Uses the T-Mobile network. Page Plus Cellular: Uses the Verizon Wireless network. PlatinumTel: Uses the T-Mobile network. Sprint: Used to own and operate its own network. Now part of T-Mobile. Straight Talk: Uses the Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks. T-Mobile: Owns and operates its own network. TracFone Wireless: Uses AT&T on most Motorola phones, T-Mobile on most LG phones, and Verizon Wireless or U.S. Cellular on most phones without SIM cards. U.S. Cellular: Owns and operates its own network. Verizon Wireless: Owns and operates its own network. Visible: Uses the Verizon Wireless network. Virgin Mobile: Uses the T-Mobile network. Read More: The Best Cellphone Plans and Carriers Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Unlock a Phone From Any Carrier The 7 Best Senior Cell Phone Plans of 2022 The 8 Best Cell Phone Plans of 2022 The 7 Best Family Cell Phone Plans of 2022 Where Is 5G Available in the US? (Updated for 2022) The 7 Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans of 2022 The 7 Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2022 How to Receive a Corporate Cell Phone Discount What Is a Mobile Carrier? What to Consider Before You Buy an Unlocked Smartphone 5G: The Latest News & Updates (October 2022) 5G Availability Around the World How to Reset a Voicemail Password in Android What You Need to Know About the True Cost of an iPhone Is Buying a Prepaid iPhone Right For You? What Are Private 5G Networks? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies