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Which mobile phone MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) are best?

The place to chat about audio/video devices & software, mobile phones & mobile plans, computer hardware & software, and other electronic gadgets.
thatonedude
Posts: 427
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2019 4:39 am

Re: Which mobile phone MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) are best?

Unread post by thatonedude »

I've heard good things about Ting, but since Dish swallowed them up I doubt they're as good as they were...

Xfinity Mobile might be best, MW. Pretty sure you can include it with your regular Xfinity bill too.
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Calvert DeForest
Posts: 788
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2004 5:14 pm
Location: The corner of US-16 and M-78

Re: Which mobile phone MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) are best?

Unread post by Calvert DeForest »

We use Total Wireless, which is an MVNO off Verizon's towers. Four lines with 100GB shared 4G for $100/month. Great deal compared with Verizon rates and the service meets our needs, no complaints. We rarely hit the data cap (think maybe once or twice in three years), and additional rollover data is $5 for 5GB. I've built it up to 63GB in reserve just in case we need the extra.

Calls and data are pretty much solid within Verizon's footprint (they have their null areas as all carriers do). 4G downloads around 25-30Mbps. Slower than straight Verizon service I'm sure, but still decent. Total also has a points program I've used to redeem add-on data and a couple months of no-charge service. All in all we're satisfied with it.
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km1125
Posts: 3789
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2019 3:09 pm

Re: Which mobile phone MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) are best?

Unread post by km1125 »

FWIW, the Spectrum and xFinity offerings are no less than the comparable offerings right from Verizon. They are not subject to "deprioritization" or any other impacts that some of those other listed services might. Both those services were part of a structured "rebranding" agreement nearly (over?) a decade ago in exchange for some bandwidth and a "promise not to compete" in the wireless world. Somehow they legally got around the "collusion" aspects but that's basically what it is.
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craig11152
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:15 am
Location: Ann Arbor

Re: Which mobile phone MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) are best?

Unread post by craig11152 »

I had Google Fi for a little over 2 years. I was not overly fond of coverage and I didn't like monitoring my data to keep my price down
I switched to Visible 3-4 months ago. We are at $30 a month with 3 phones and should be at $25 soon.
I like the coverage and that each phone on the plan pays separately. If someone doesn't pay it just means my bill goes up $5 for that month.
Roaming and International don't matter to me but I understand if one travels overseas regularly it would matter.
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craig11152
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:15 am
Location: Ann Arbor

Re: Which mobile phone MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) are best?

Unread post by craig11152 »

I buy relatively inexpensive phones, $200-$350 and pay upfront. I hope to get 24 months plus out of them. When they start to misbehave is when I think about a new carrier. I pick a carrier then pick a phone that is compatible.
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craig11152
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Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:15 am
Location: Ann Arbor

Re: Which mobile phone MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) are best?

Unread post by craig11152 »

I have little to add to my comment in October about Visible except I continue to be satisfied for the $25 price.
My wife has Verizon which Visible piggyback's on and I can only remember one instance where I wondered if I was being "punished" compared to my wife's phone in the moment.
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craig11152
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Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:15 am
Location: Ann Arbor

Re: Which mobile phone MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) are best?

Unread post by craig11152 »

I have an app on my phone that shows speed, strength and tower location.
If the seeming discrepancy between my phone and hers became regular I will certainly load the app on her phone too and see what comes up.
If there is one thing about Visible I'm not fond of is I can't seem to see how much data I actually use since it's unlimited.
Makes it hard to consider a cheaper plan with a cap if I don't know how big a cap I need.
When I was with Google Fi I stayed under the cap 99.9% of the time. But I worked at it and made a conscious effort to do so. It's nice to not care anymore. Now if I want to stream video away from WIFI my only concern is battery life not data.
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