When you choose an MVNO that uses AT&T’s network, you’ll generally receive the same coverage as AT&T, which is rather good. AT&T has the third-best coverage in the nation, behind Verizon and T-Mobile.
AT&T MVNO plans tend to be less expensive than those found on their parent network, making them an attractive choice for cell phone customers on a budget. Some MVNOs get creative with their approach and allow customers to essentially build their own plan according to their own needs.
You may be curious as to how MVNOs are able to charge a fraction of what AT&T charges for wireless plans. AT&T’s MVNOs purchase wholesale talk, text, and data from AT&T and then resell them to the consumer under their own brand name. Buying in bulk at a discounted price affords them the luxury of significantly reducing their prices.
Interested in an MVNO through a different network? Check out Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon MVNOs.
Switching to an AT&T MVNO can help you save money on your cell phone bill
Pros & Cons of AT&T MVNOs
A major difference between a plan through an MVNO and one through a major carrier like AT&T is that on an MVNO your data speeds may be deprioritized in favor of customers on the parent network. According to recent research, customers on AT&T MVNOs receive lower data speeds than full-fledged AT&T users. Conversely, customers on T-Mobile and Sprint MVNOs typically receive about the same download speeds as the major networks on which they run. This is something you will want to take into consideration when choosing which network you want service through.
Customers on AT&T’s MVNOs receive lower data speeds than full-fledged AT&T users. Conversely, customers on T-Mobile and Sprint MVNOs typically receive about the same download speeds as the major networks on which they run.
That said, a major pro of MVNOs is that their plans tend to be far more affordable than those offered by major carriers, and they typically don’t require credit checks. This can bring you some peace of mind in knowing that trying out an MVNO is relatively low-risk. It is also fairly easy to bring your own phone to an MVNO, so you don’t have to worry about swallowing the cost of a new phone on an MVNO. Not all phones are compatible with AT&T’s network, so you’ll want to check your phone’s IMEI. Alternatively, if you are actively looking to buy a new phone, an MVNO may not be the best place to look—many of them have limited phone options.
A downside to AT&T MVNOs is that some of them don’t allow roaming on other domestic wireless networks. Roaming typically occurs when your network doesn’t have its own towers in a specific area so you receive cell coverage from another network, such as Verizon. What this means is that if you switch from AT&T, where roaming is included, to an AT&T MVNO, you may notice reduced coverage. Even so, the chance that you notice this drop-off is fairly low.
Another con is that MVNO plans don’t always include all of the bells and whistles that come with a major network provider like AT&T. Specifically, they sometimes don’t include the streaming, international, and hotspot features common amongst the majors. However, if these options aren’t crucial to you in your next cell phone plan, you may find MVNOs suit you just fine.
Many AT&T MVNOs have limited phone options—it may be best to BYOD if possible
List of AT&T’s MVNOs
You’ve decided that you want an MVNO that operates on AT&T’s network. Now what? Check out the full list below of AT&T’s MVNOS.
MVNO | Network(s) |
---|---|
Airvoice | AT&T |
Beast Mobile | AT&T, Sprint |
Best Cellular | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
Black Wireless | AT&T |
Boom! Mobile | AT&T, Sprint, Verizon |
Consumer Cellular | AT&T, T-Mobile |
Cricket Wireless | AT&T |
Dataxoom | AT&T, Sprint, Verizon |
EasyGo | AT&T |
Freedompop | AT&T, Sprint |
FreeUP Mobile | AT&T |
Good2GO Mobile | AT&T |
H2O Wireless | AT&T |
Net10 | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular |
Pure TalkUSA | AT&T |
Red Pocket Mobile | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
ROK Mobile | AT&T |
Straight Talk | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
Total Wireless | T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, AT&T |
Tracfone | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile |
UNREAL Mobile | AT&T, Sprint |
Each of these MVNOs offers a variety of cell phone plan choices, the majority of which are prepaid—this means that you pay for service in advance. On major carriers, you’ll typically pay for service at the end of the month.
Find an MVNO Plan
There are so many different MVNOs that run on AT&T’s network that it can be overwhelming to compare them all yourself. Below you will find current deals, promotions, and plans offered by MVNOs operating on AT&T’s network.