How to cut your phone bill by switching to an MVNO
Major carrier phone plans often carry high prices due to bundled extras, but mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) can deliver comparable network quality at a much lower cost. These providers lease network access from the big carriers and resell it more cheaply.
Postpaid plans from the three major US carriers — AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon — typically start around $50 a month and can approach $100 for a single line. Part of that cost comes from bundled extras that many customers never actually use.
An alternative comes from mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. Unlike mobile network operators (MNOs), which own infrastructure such as towers, MVNOs lease large blocks of network capacity and resell it at a discount. Mint Mobile, for instance, runs on T-Mobile's network. Because direct carrier customers get priority during congestion, MVNO subscribers can occasionally see slower speeds at busy times.
Why it's cheaper
Most MVNOs use prepaid billing rather than postpaid, which generally means no credit check is required. Costs stay low because many MVNOs skip physical retail stores, handle support online or by phone, and rarely bundle extras like streaming subscriptions into their plans.
Options on the market
Mint Mobile, owned by T-Mobile, offers its best rates when customers pay for several months upfront, with plans starting at $15 a month for 6GB of data. Visible, Verizon's MVNO, offers unlimited data for roughly $25 a month. US Mobile lets customers choose among all three major networks and offers family plans that share a pooled amount of data. Google Fi Wireless suits frequent international travelers, as its $65 top-tier plan includes 50GB of data usable in most countries without extra fees.
Making the switch
Switching to an MVNO is generally straightforward: check network coverage and phone compatibility, unlock the device from the current carrier if keeping it, and transfer the phone number. Most modern phones support eSIM, which speeds up activation on the new network.
