Which MVNOs Run on T-Mobile’s Network?

There are more than 50 MVNOs in existence and over 20 that use T-Mobile’s network. It can be hard to keep track of all of them—which is why we’ve curated a list of T-Mobile MVNOs for you. You can also check out AT&T MVNOs, Verizon MVNOs, and Sprint MVNOs.

Choosing a T-Mobile MVNO means that you’ll generally receive the same quality of coverage that T-Mobile customers enjoy. This is great news because T-Mobile has the second-best 4G coverage in the country, behind Verizon. The same can’t be said for their 3G network, though, which finishes last out of the major four networks.

T-Mobile MVNO phone plans tend to be less expensive than those offered by T-Mobile—and don’t typically require credit checks, which makes them an appealing option for cell phone customers. Metro by T-Mobile is probably the most well-known T-Mobile MVNO since it is the largest and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the company.

A few other T-Mobile MVNOs worth looking into include:

• Consumer Cellular.
• Mint Mobile.
• Pix Wireless.
• SpeedTalk Mobile.
• Ting Mobile.
• US Mobile.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of T-Mobile MVNOs—you’ll want to keep reading to find a full list, as well as information about the pros and cons of T-Mobile MVNOs.

Although T-Mobile’s 4G network is rather strong, their 3G network coverage is lacking compared to AT&T and Verizon

Pros & Cons of T-Mobile MVNOs

Benefits

T-Mobile has a wide selection of MVNOs that utilize their network for service. Because of this, the small carriers are extremely competitive with their pricing. You’re bound to find a budget-friendly plan through a T-Mobile MVNO without the hassle of a credit check.

Another benefit of MVNOs, in general, is that they often come with the privilege of flexibility. For example, US Mobile allows you to customize your plan according to the amounts of minutes, text messages, and data you need. The downside is that the highest data option they have is 3GB, which may not be adequate for someone who relies on their phone to stream music or video or spend a lot of time on social media.

Further, T-Mobile MVNOs like Republic Wireless and Google Fi use WiFi instead of T-Mobile’s cellular network wherever it’s available. This can be helpful in situations where you have no data left or you’re in a location with spotty cell phone service.

As mentioned, T-Mobile has the second largest network, covering 59% of the country, which means your T-Mobile MVNO will receive similar coverage. It’s smart to check the coverage map to make sure that your area receives service. Or you can enter your address into the Let’s Talk cell phone comparison tool to confirm that T-Mobile has coverage in your area and whether it’s 4G or 3G.

T-Mobile Coverage Map

Typically, it’s pretty easy to bring your own phone (BYOP) to a T-Mobile MVNO, especially if your device is a T-Mobile or AT&T device since they are both GSM carriers. GSM is an abbreviation for a radio system used in cell phones—the four major networks are either GSM or CDMA. Since Verizon and Sprint are CDMA, their phones won’t always work on T-Mobile’s network. However, most newer devices are compatible with both CDMA and GSM, which eliminates such concerns. If you’re looking to switch to a T-Mobile MVNO, it’s important to note that your device must be unlocked from your current carrier. You can check your phone’s compatibility on T-Mobile’s website.

Some T-Mobile MVNOs provide you with the option of customizing your own plan based on your data, text, and talk needs

Drawbacks

One important caveat relating to T-Mobile’s coverage: their 4G network operates on the 600MHz spectrum, and a limited number of new phones are able to connect to it. This could be a potential problem if you’re looking to bring your own device to a T-Mobile MVNO. For instance, the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max are the only iPhones that are 600 MHz capable. Several Samsung and LG devices are compatible, but you’ll want to check T-Mobile’s list of compatible phones before potentially switching to a T-Mobile MVNO.

Another potential disadvantage of MVNOs—regardless of whether they’re on T-Mobile’s network or not—is that customers may experience data deprioritization when T-Mobile’s network is congested. This results in slower data speeds, which some people may find frustrating if they’re trying to stream music or video or download music, apps, or movies. This occurs because customers on the parent network—T-Mobile in this case—receive network priority. However, recent research suggests that T-Mobile MVNOs experience comparable download speeds to the parent networks on which they operate, so it’s possible that T-Mobile MVNO customers may not notice any change in data speeds.

Lastly, if you’re in the market for a new device, it’s important to know that some T-Mobile MVNOs, such as Google Fi, have limited phone selections and the occasional MVNO, like Red Pocket, doesn’t carry any phones. This isn’t always the case, though—Consumer Cellular, an MVNO that runs on T-Mobile and AT&T’s networks, offers the newest iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones. Mint Mobile sells all of those devices plus the Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL.

Let’s Talk Tip: If you’re looking to switch to a T-Mobile MVNO and BYOP, make sure to check if your phone is 600 MHz capable—only the newest iPhones are compatible

List of T-Mobile’s MVNOs

The decision of which MVNO to choose can be overwhelming. There are so many options with so many different types of plans and prices. Some T-Mobile plans are extremely affordable, some allow you to customize a plan, and others allow you to purchase plans in 3-month packages. The right carrier for you will largely depend on what you’re looking for in a plan.

Check out the full list of T-Mobile MVNOs below.

The majority of T-Mobile MVNO plans are prepaid, which means you pay for your cell phone service in advance, as opposed to postpaid plans offered through the major networks—when you’re a customer on a postpaid plan, you pay for service at the end of each month.

Discover the Best MVNO Plan for You