The "To Keep Up" Wiki

Questions to help you decide what cell service you need
Robots.tech tells how to cancel your Verizon Wireless and my advice: do it via chat and not a phone call.

Clark.com has a cell phone plan finder
Clark.com’s April 2 USmobile review

Cell phone service providers and their per-month costs after any first-few-months promo. Promo in 'other'.  These prices gathered 8/30 to 9/21/2024.
FYI, MVNO=Mobile Virtual Network Operator, which refers companies that purchase minutes and data from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.

DISCLAIMER: I'm only collecting information I've found on the Internet for the companies I've listed.  I have no relationship with any of them other than from a consumer's point of view.

REQUEST: Please let me know at steve+cellphoneinfopage@toku.us of any information that's incorrect or missing.  Thank you.

• Cheapest unlimited voice 1GB data: $8(RedPocket) $9(Tello)
• Cheapest unlimited voice 2GB data: $8(USMobile)
• Cheapest unlimited voice 5GB data: $14(Tello) $15(USMobile, RedPocket, Mint)

Ratings come from Trustpilot.com. For example, 4.2* (62% 4&5* on 5,403) means their trustpilot rating is 4.2, and 62% of the 5,403 people rating gave 4 or 5 star reviews.

I've sorted these by their TrustPilot rating as of 9/20/2024. ^Provider^Rating^Network^cost for one line^other^2 lines^ |USMobile
https://usmobile.com/
Plans Summary|4.6*
(93% 4&5* on 3,796)|Verizon(warp) T-Mobile(lightspeed) AT&T(darkstar)
you choose when sign up, you can switch (“teleport”) twice for free, then it's $2 per teleport |Flex: $17.50/unlimited data;
ByTheGig: sharable data $10/2Gb; $15/5Gb; $20/10Gb/ $35/20Gb – Add $8 per additional line sharing data; includes international calling and texting from US.
Minimalist: $8/2Gb premium data without free teleport&hotspot, Int'l calling, etc
Prices include taxes and fees.|prepay 12 months. 30 days free to try it out.
When international, calls/data costs extra (on carriers supporting it), Int'l eSIMs cost extra
Data cut-off (stops working) when you use up all shared data. |Unlimited data $35;
2Gb shared $18;
5Gb shared $23;
10Gb shared $28
includes taxes&fees| |Tello Mobile
https://tello.com/|4.5*
(90% 4&5* on 11,335)|T-Mobile |No-data plans: $5/100 mins ($6/1GB 100min), $8/unlimited mins
Data plans w/unlimited mins; $9/1GB; $10/2GB; $14/5GB; many more plans|no advance payment; free calls to Canada, Mexico, India, Switzerland, and many more. Upgrade/downgrade anytime n/c| |Red Pocket
https://redpocket.com/|4.4*
(85% 4&5* on 3,600)|all 3 networks|$8/1GB, $15/5GB, $25/20GB, $30/Unlimited
per month paid annually
includes international calling (1GB & 5GB plans 20 countries, others 80+ countries)|if go over data, service slows; no overage fee or cut-off.| |Consumer Cellular
https://consumercellular.com/|4.2*
(62% 4&5* on 5,403)|AT&T or
T-Mobile|$20/1Gb; $25/5Gb; $35/10Gb; $50/unlimited
Plus taxes & fees|AARP member discount. Add $15 per additional line sharing data. Auto upgrade e.g. 1Gb to 5Gb if you use more.|$35/1Gb shared
$40/5Gb shared ($50.97 with taxes&fees and AARP discount)
$50/10Gb shared.
plus taxes & fees.| |Hello
https://hellomobile.com/|3.9*
(74% 4&5 on 3,382)|T-Mobile |$17.50/mo unlimited (6 mo paid in advance)
$5/500MB, $10/1GB, $15/4GB, $20/5GB|free unlimited int'l calling from US to Canada, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, UK; total 60+ countries; land lines, some countries to cell phones.| |Mint Mobile
https://mintmobile.com/|3.3*
(74% 4&5* on 1,293)|T-Mobile| $15/5Gb
$20/15Gb
$25/20Gb
$30/unlimited
Plus taxes & fees ($2.82/line for 5GB, $3.02/line for 15GB)|$15/month for unlimited first 3 months; then rates are per month prepay 12 months; data and plan is per-line.
Mobile Hotspot n/c pulls from monthly data, limited to 10GB on unlimited plans
free calls to Canada & Mexico.
If go over data, service slows: no overage fee or cut-off; data add-on available if you need more.|Second line same price as first line, data can differ for each line.  Family plan available (allows multi line management) Two 5GB lines $30+5.64=$35.64 with taxes&fees. |Ting
https://ting.com/|2.7*
(74% 4&5* on 303)|T-Mobile|$25/5GB(all can be hotspot), $35/12GB(max 8GB hotspot)|After monthly data allotment, speed is reduced to 128kbps; get more fast data for $5/GB.
unused fast data you add carries to next month.| |Freedompop
https://freedompop.com/|2.4*
(52% 4&5* on 1,721)|AT&T |$10/1GB(int' calling to 20 countries), $30/10GB(int'l calling to80+ countries)|implies that if go over data allotment, service slows| |Metro by T-Mobile
https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com/|1.8
(13% 4&5* on 70) | T-Mobile|$40/10GB ($45 first month)| |Cricket Wireless
https://www.cricketwireless.com/|1.7 (15% 4&5* on 376) |AT&T |$30/5GB, $40/10GB| |$70/10GB| |Visible by Verizon
https://visible.com/|1.5*
(8% 4&5* on 1,117)|Verizon|$22.92/unlimited data (paid $275 annual, Visible); $32.92/unlimited premium data (paid $395 annual, Visible+)
prices include taxes & fees|if switch f/T-Mobile price $15/mo for 5 years.
Unlimited talk&text to Mexico and Canada.
Visible: save $5/mo on Verizon home internet, smartwatch $10/mo
Visible+ faster data, save $10/mo on Verizon home internet, hotspot twice as fast as Visible, available to use in Mexico and Canada, calls to 30+ countries and text to 200+, smartwatch service included|Visible: 45.83/mo (pay 550/yr)
Visible+ 65.83/mo (pay 790/yr)
taxes and fees included| |Boost Mobile
https://boostmobile.com/|1.4
(7% 4&5* on 466) |Boost, AT&T, T-Mobile |$25/mo unlimited data ($5 autopay discount. Add $10 ea for: hotspot, high-speed data; and many more add-ons available for a cost.|DISH Wireless d/b/a Boost Mobile| |Credo Mobile
https://credomobile.com/|1.4
(6% 4&5* on 144)|Verizon |$35/1GB per line|they donate to nonprofits every month| |T-Mobile
https://t-mobile.com/|1.3*
(9% 4&5* on 5,690)|T-Mobile|$30/line for 2 lines age 55+|other more $ plans offer better streaming, more hotspot, services abroad.| |AT&T
https://att.com/|1.3*
(6% 4&5* on 7,659)|AT&T|$30/5GB or $25/10GB prepay 12 months |Prices start at $25/line but you must have 4 lines.| |Verizon Wireless
https://verizonwireless.com/|1.2*
(5% 4&5* on 5,358)|Verizon|$35/line/15GB, first month $45, autopay (prepay?), $5 or $10 discount after 3 or 9 months of service
Other plans start at $65/month for 1 line, $55/month/line for 2 lines| |Google Fi
https://fi.google.com/|1.2
(2% 4&5* on 390) |T-Mobile |$20/10GB plus taxes&fees|see comments, below|$35/10GB shared plus taxes&fees.| ===Comments === [from Glenn, regarding Google Fi, 12/31/2024]
I was somewhat surprised by the abysmal TrustPilot rating for Google Fi, but all the 1-star ratings point to bad experience with their customer service, and few complaints about the actual cellular communication. I tend to agree that their customer service is poor (scripted and unhelpful), but I haven’t needed to use it for anything lately since it all seems to work just fine for us. ====Resources==== Here are some resources to consider. * Toms Guide - plans * Toms Guide = carriers * Consumer Reports * NY Times via Wirecutter * US News ==== An Example: Switching from Consumer Cellular to Mint or US Mobile ==== (Thanks ChatGPT) Assuming that phone1 accepts eSIM and phone2 doesn't and would need a physical SIM card. === Step 1: Check Compatibility === * Both Mint Mobile and US Mobile support most unlocked phones. * Use their compatibility checkers:  - [Mint Mobile](https://www.mintmobile.com/byop/) - [US Mobile](https://www.usmobile.com/check-compatibility) * Since your phone1 supports eSIM and your phone2 requires a physical SIM, confirm that both carriers provide the right type of SIMs. === Step 2: Order SIM Cards or Activate eSIM === * Mint Mobile: - Order a physical SIM for your phone2 and an eSIM for phone1. - Activation kits are available online or in stores. * US Mobile: - Offers both physical SIM and eSIM activation. - Order from their website or check for instant eSIM activation. === Step 3: Port Your Numbers (If Keeping Them) === * Do not cancel Consumer Cellular yet! Instead: - Find your account number and PIN from Consumer Cellular (you may need to call them). - Provide this information when activating with Mint or US Mobile to transfer your number. - The transfer usually takes minutes to a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours. === Step 4: Activate the New Service === * For Your eSIM Phone1: - Follow Mint/US Mobile's instructions to scan the QR code and install the eSIM. * For Your Physical SIM Phone2: - Insert the new SIM card and follow the activation steps. === Step 5: Confirm Activation & Test Service === * Make test calls, send texts, and check data. * If everything works, cancel Consumer Cellular. —- ==== Mint Mobile vs. US Mobile – Which Should You Choose? ==== Again thanks to ChatGPT for initial information that I've edited. ^ Feature ^ Mint Mobile ^ US Mobile ^ | Network | T-Mobile | Choice of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile | | Pricing | Cheaper but requires prepaying for 3–12 months | Flexible monthly plans, slightly higher cost | | eSIM Support | Yes | Yes | | Physical SIM Support | Yes | Yes | | Data Plans | 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, or Unlimited | Customizable plans with pooled/shared data | | Premium Data | No priority data | Priority data available (on Verizon) | | Hotspot | Included (limited speed) | Full-speed hotspot available | | International Roaming | Limited (pay-per-use) | Available with add-ons | | Trial Option | 7-day money-back guarantee | 100-day free trial (for some plans) | === When to Choose Mint Mobile === * ✅ If you want cheaper pricing (especially for multiple months at once). * ✅ If you are fine with T-Mobile’s network in your area. * ✅ If you don’t need priority data (like during network congestion). === When to Choose US Mobile === * ✅ If you want monthly flexibility (no prepaying for months in advance). * ✅ If you want Verizon’s network (better coverage in some areas). * ✅ If you need priority data (for faster speeds during congestion). * ✅ If you want better international roaming options. === Which One Should You Pick? === * If you want the best price and don’t mind prepaying, go with Mint Mobile. * If you prefer a flexible monthly plan, better coverage options, or premium data, go with US Mobile. —- ====Summary of USMobile and Mint Plans 2/26-27/2025==== Prices monthly for annual plan.  Taxes and fees included. All unlimited talk & text
HS=High Speed
Priority: lower number is higher priority. That is, QCI7 is better than QCI8 and QCI9. ^ Plan ^ Cost/mo ^ Data ^ Hotspot ^ Int'l Data ^ Int'l call&text f/US ^ | USMobile Annual Plans 4/16/2025 w/updates 5/7/2025 taxes & fees included |||||| | Unlimited Flex |17.50/mo | Unlimited (slower after 10GB)
QCI 7 (Tmobile/Light Speed), QCI 8 (Vzn/Warp), QCI 9 (AT&T/Dark Star) | 5GB | add-on | Yes (e.g., Switzerland 69min; UK unlimited) | | By the Gig | 10 +8/add'l line | 2GB shared QCI 9| Yes, +$10/mo | not yet | Yes, $0.05/min | | By the Gig | 15 +8/add'l line | 5GB shared QCI 9 | Yes, +$10/mo | not yet | Yes, $0.05/min | | By the Gig | 20 +8/add'l line | 10GB shared QCI 9 | Yes, +$10/mo | not yet | Yes, $0.05/min | | Light plan | 8 | 2GB | ?  | ?  | add-on | |Unlimited Starter |$19/mo| Unlimited(slower after 20GB)|20GB|90+ countries|Yes| |Unlimited Premium |$29/mo
free network transfers| Unlimited|Unlimited|90+ countries|Yes| | Mint Mobile Plans 2/27/2025 cost per plan; +est taxes/fees |||||| | 5GB | 15+2 | 5GB | yes | ?  | Mexico & Canada | | 15GB | 20+2.3 | 15GB | yes | ?  | Mexico & Canada | | 20GB | 25+2.5 | 20GB | yes | ?  | Mexico & Canada |