List of United States mobile virtual network operators
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in the United States lease wireless telephone and data service from major carriers such as AT&T Mobility, Sprint Corporation, T-Mobile US, and Verizon Wireless, as well as the regional carrier the United States Cellular Corporation for resale.[1][2]
Contents
- 1 Voice and data service operators
- 2 Lifeline Assistance free government operators (California)
- 3 International SIM voice and data service operators
- 4 Voice service operators
- 5 Mobile broadband operators
- 6 Providers of business services
- 7 Defunct, merged and acquired operators
- 8 See also
- 9 References
Voice and data service operators[edit]
These providers offer services to individuals for personal use. Providers offering services to businesses are listed in a later section.
Many of the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are often partnered with one (and sometimes more) host carrier companies. Providers with multiple host networks only use one depending on the specific model phone and/or SIM card used, except Project Fi which combines all listed networks together. MVNOs will often push/favor a specific model phone because it's locked into the host carrier "preferred network" that gives that MVNO the best deal/rates. The acronym "BYOD" means "Bring Your Own Device".
Currently Sprint of the big 5 host carriers is the most aggressive in obtaining Mobile Virtual Network Operators MVNOs market share. Sprint owns[3] Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile,[4] and has partnerships with Assurance Wireless, i-Wireless, and Access Wireless.
| Company | Host network | GSM | LTE | CDMA | UMTS | Wi-Fi | BYOD[5] | Unlimited Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeris Communications Inc | Sprint, T-Mobile, Vodafone, AT&T | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | |
| Affinity Cellular | Verizon | Yes | No | No | |||||
| AirVoice Wireless | AT&T | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| Armed Forces Wireless | Verizon | Yes | Yes | No | |||||
| Best Cellular | AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Black Wireless | AT&T | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Boom Mobile | AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | AT&T network is available to business customers only | |
| Boost Mobile | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Owned by Sprint Corporation | |||
| campusSIMs | AT&T, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| CellNUVO | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Cellular Abroad | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| Charge | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| Chit Chat Mobile | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| Consumer Cellular | AT&T, T-Mobile[6] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |||
| Credo Mobile | Verizon[7] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Cricket Wireless | AT&T | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Owned by AT&T Mobility | |||
| China Telecom Americas (CTExcel) | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| EasyGO Wireless | AT&T | Yes | Yes | No | |||||
| EcoMobile | Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon[8] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| enVie Mobile | Verizon | Yes | Yes | No | |||||
| Español Mobile | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| Expo Mobile | Sprint, Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| FamilyTalk Wireless | Sprint, Verizon, AT&T | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Unable to connect to website 3/16/17 | ||
| Flash Wireless | Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| FMP Wireless | Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||
| FreedomPop | AT&T, Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Voice is VoIP by default, "Premium Voice" add-on for CDMA calling | ||
| good2GO Mobile | AT&T, Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| GoSmart Mobile | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Owned by TracFone Wireless. Acquired from T-Mobile. | |||
| GreatCall | Verizon | Yes | No | No | |||||
| Hayai Mobile | T-Mobile, AT&T | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| H2O Wireless | AT&T | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| KDDI Mobile | AT&T | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Helio | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||
| Infinium Wireless | Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Out of Business? 3/16/17 | ||
| i-wireless | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Jaguar Mobile | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Jolt Mobile | AT&T, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| Kajeet | Sprint | Yes | Yes | No | |||||
| KidsConnect | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | |||
| Liberty Wireless | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |||
| LycaMobile | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Madstar Mobile | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| MetroPCS | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Owned by T-Mobile US | ||
| Mint SIM | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Owned by Ultra Mobile | ||
| Mobal | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Net10 Wireless | AT&T, Sprint,
T-Mobile, Verizon, U.S. Cellular (only on PAY-AS-YOU-GO minute plans) |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Owned by TracFone Wireless | |
| NetZero | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| NTT DoCoMo USA | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | No | No | ||||
| OTG Mobile | Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |||
| Page Plus Cellular | Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Owned by TracFone Wireless | |||
| Patriot Mobile | Sprint, Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Pix Wireless | AT&T, Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Project Fi | Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Three | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Combines all listed networks together | |
| Proven Wireless | Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |||
| Pure TalkUSA | AT&T | Yes | Yes | No | |||||
| Puppy Wireless | Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| Ready Mobile | Sprint | Yes | Yes | No | |||||
| Red Pocket Mobile | AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Republic Wireless | Sprint, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Roam Mobility | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| ROK Mobile | Verizon[9] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Scratch Wireless | Sprint | Yes | No | No | |||||
| Selectel Wireless | Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| Simple Mobile | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Owned by TracFone Wireless | ||
| SkyView Wireless | AT&T | Yes | Yes | No | |||||
| Speed Talk Mobile | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Straight Talk | AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Owned by TracFone Wireless. Available at Walmart & Straight Talk Website. | |
| Stream Wireless | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Telcel América | Sprint, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Owned by TracFone Wireless | |
| Tello US | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Tempo Telecom | Sprint, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | ||
| TextNow | Sprint, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| The People's Operator USA | Sprint, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| Ting | Sprint, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Sprint track Talk & Text service roams to Verizon[10] Network 250,000 Subscribers as of March 2017[11]
Subscribers of RingPlus were automatically migrated to Ting on 02/21/2017 when RingPlus, an MVNO of Sprint, went out of business. |
|
| Total Call Mobile | Sprint | Yes | No | Yes | |||||
| Total Wireless | Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Owned by TracFone Wireless. Available at Walmart & Total Wireless website. | |||
| Touch Mobile | Sprint | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | ||||
| TracFone | AT&T, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular (feature phones only), Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Owned by TracFone Wireless | |
| Twigby | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Talk & Text also uses Verizon Network | |||
| Ultra Mobile | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Univision Mobile | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Owned by Ultra Mobile | ||
| US Mobile | T-Mobile, Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |||
| UVA Mobile | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| UWT Mobile | AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |||
| Value Wireless | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Virgin Mobile USA | Sprint | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Owned by Sprint Corporation | |||
| Walmart Family Mobile | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Owned by TracFone Wireless. Available only at Walmart. Acquired from T-Mobile | ||
| Wireless Services US | Verizon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Xfinity Mobile | Verizon | Yes | No | Yes | Owned by Comcast Corporation Available to Comcast subscribers only Roams on wireless hotspots |
||||
| ZingPCS | Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| ZIP SIM | T-Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Lifeline Assistance free government operators (California)[edit]
The following is a list of all the Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in California. This list needs to be expanded for all other states. All 50 States run and operate their own Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones program so company, MVNOs participation and plan offerings vary greatly from state to state.
List of Mobile Virtual Network Operators MVNOs for California Lifeline.
| Company | Host network | Wireless technology | BYOD | Free Phone | Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access Wireless | Sprint | Yes*1 | Yes | 200MB | ||
| Assurance Wireless | Sprint | No | Yes | 500MB | ||
| Blue Jay Wireless | Sprint, Verizon | No | Yes | No | ||
| Budget Mobile | Sprint, Verizon | No | Yes | 500MB | ||
| Entouch Wireless | Sprint | Yes | Yes | 500MB | ||
| Feel Safe Wireless | AT&T | Yes | Yes | 100MB | Only tents in Southern CA? | |
| Life Wireless | AT&T | Yes*2 | Yes | 500MB | dba Telrite | |
| SafeLink Wireless | All 5 (depends on location)*3 | Yes | Yes | 100MB | Owned by TracFone | |
| SafetyNet Wireless | Yes | 100MB | ||||
| Tag Mobile | Sprint, Verizon, T-mobile*4 | Yes | Yes | Unlimited | ||
| TruConnect (formerly Telscape) | Sprint | Yes | Yes | No |
*1 Access Wireless does not officially support BYOB, but customers have reported they can.
*2 Life wireless does not support BYOD officially, but you can just pop the SIM card out and put it in any AT&T, or unlocked GSM phone. APN settings are here. You can only sign up at pop up tents. You have to call them and ask where the closest ones are.
*3 Safelink uses the T-mobile network in California.
*4 Tag mobile's network depends on your geographic location. I think they have two phones. If you get the CDMA one you can use the Sprint and Verizon networks. Pretty sure they send the GSM one to people in California. That one only uses T-mobile.[15]
International SIM voice and data service operators[edit]
These providers offer services to individuals for personal use. Providers offering services to businesses are listed in a later section. All MVNO's listed below are BYOD, unless otherwise noted.
| Company | Host network | Wireless technology | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreedomPop | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS | "Global SIM" product, voice via VoIP only |
| TravelSim | AT&T | UMTS | |
| TravelSim | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS | |
| Truphone | AT&T | UMTS | |
| Truphone | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS |
Voice service operators[edit]
The following table lists operators focused on providing voice calls. Additional services may include SMS and basic low-speed data access.
| Company | Host network | Wireless technology | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirLink Mobile | Sprint | CDMA | |
| Boomerang Wireless | Sprint | CDMA | |
| Earthtones | AT&T | UMTS | |
| H2O Wireless CDMA | Verizon | CDMA | |
| Pure Unlimited | AT&T | UMTS | |
| Q Link Wireless | Sprint | CDMA | |
| STi Mobile | Sprint | CDMA | |
| ZERO11 Wireless | AT&T | UMTS | Voip |
Mobile broadband operators[edit]
These providers offer services to individuals for personal use. Providers offering services to businesses are listed in a later section. Unless specified otherwise, mobile broadband providers require the purchase of a dedicated mobile broadband modem.
| Company | Host network | Wireless technology | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armed Forces Wireless (AFMobile) | Verizon | CDMA | |
| BOOM Mobile | Verizon | CDMA & LTE | |
| BroadBLUE | Sprint | CDMA | |
| DataJack | Sprint | CDMA | |
| EcoMobile | Sprint | CDMA | |
| FreedomPop | Sprint, AT&T | CDMA, GSM, UMTS, & LTE | AT&T is "LTE SIM" product, offers VoIP voice |
| Hayai Broadband | T-Mobile, AT&T | UMTS & LTE | |
| H2O Wireless | AT&T | UMTS & LTE | |
| H2O Wireless Bolt | Sprint | CDMA | |
| Internet on the Go | Sprint | CDMA | |
| Karma | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | |
| Madstar Mobile | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | |
| MetroPCS | T-Mobile | GSM, UMTS, & LTE | |
| NetZero | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | |
| Red Pocket Mobile | T-Mobile | GSM, UMTS, & LTE | |
| Simple Mobile | T-Mobile | GSM, UMTS, & LTE | |
| Selectel | Verizon | CDMA & LTE | |
| Ting | Sprint & T-Mobile | CDMA, GSM, UMTS, & LTE | |
| TruConnect | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | |
| Virgin Mobile USA | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | |
| Ultra Mobile | T-Mobile | GSM, UMTS, & LTE |
Providers of business services[edit]
| Company | Host network | Wireless technology | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cbeyond | Sprint | CDMA | |
| Cognia Mobile | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS | |
| Dataxoom | AT&T, Sprint, Verizon | CDMA, UMTS, & LTE | |
| Global Data Telecom | AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile | CDMA, LTE,GSM & UMTS | |
| Harbor Mobile | AT&T, T-Mobile | GSM, UMTS, & LTE | Not activating new lines |
| MetTel Mobile | AT&T, Sprint, Verizon | CDMA & UMTS | |
| Mobal Freedom | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS | |
| Teltik | T-Mobile | GSM, UMTS, & LTE | Plans include a PBX Cloud Phone |
Defunct, merged and acquired operators[edit]
| Company | Host network | Wireless technology | End date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless | AT&T, Sprint | CDMA, GSM, & UMTS | 2010 | |
| Amp'd Mobile | Verizon | GSM & UMTS | 2014 | |
| Aio Wireless | AT&T | GSM & UMTS | 2007 | Owned by AT&T |
| Brightspot | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS | December 2015 | Available only at Walmart |
| BYO Wireless | Verizon, T-Mobile | CDMA, GSM, UMTS, & LTE | 2015 | |
| BZRMobile | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | Website inaccessible as of 2016-06-15 | |
| Circle-K Talk-and-Go | AT&T | GSM & UMTS | 2011 | |
| Cloven | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | Website inaccessible as of 2015-04-27 | |
| Comcast | Sprint, Clearwire | CDMA | 2011 | |
| Common Cents Mobile | Sprint | CDMA | 2011 | |
| Cox | Sprint | CDMA | 2012 | |
| Disney Mobile | Sprint | CDMA | 2007 | |
| EarthLink | Sprint | WiMAX | 2015 | |
| Embarq | Sprint | CDMA | 2009 | |
| ESPN MVP | Sprint | CDMA | 2006 | |
| Firefly Mobile | AT&T | GSM & UMTS | 2012 | |
| Fuzion Mobile | AT&T | GSM & UMTS | 2013 | |
| GIV Mobile | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS | 31 January 2016 | |
| GTC Wireless | AT&T | GSM & UMTS | 2009 | |
| Hello US Mobile | Verizon, T-Mobile | CDMA, GSM, & UMTS | Unknown | |
| Helio | Sprint | CDMA | 2010 | |
| iQ Cellular | AT&T, Sprint, Verizon | CDMA | 2014 | |
| Itel UTel | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | Website inaccessible as of 2015-04-27 | |
| Jump Mobile | Cricket | CDMA | 2010 | |
| Lucky Wireless | Verizon | CDMA | 2011 | |
| Mi Gente Mobile | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | 2013 | |
| Mingo Wireless | Sprint | CDMA | 2012 | |
| MOSH Mobile | Centennial Wireless | GSM & UMTS | 2012 | |
| Movida | Sprint | CDMA | 2012 | |
| Omni Prepaid | 2012 | |||
| Millenicom | Verizon | CDMA & LTE | 2014 | |
| Next G Mobile | Verizon | CDMA | 2013 | |
| Phonata | AT&T, Sprint, Verizon | CDMA, GSM, & UMTS | 2013 | |
| PrepaYd Wireless | Sprint | CDMA | 2014 | |
| PTel Mobile | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS | 31 January 2016 | |
| Pure Mobile | Verizon | GSM & UMTS | 2012 | |
| Qwest Wireless | Sprint | CDMA | 2010 | |
| Ring Plus, Inc | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | 21 February 2017 | [16] |
| Shaka Mobile | Sprint | CDMA | Their domain name expired on 8/31/2014 and is pending renewal or deletion. | |
| Simple Freedom | Alltel | CDMA | 2007 | |
| Solavei | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS | December 2015 | |
| Spot Mobile | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS | September 7, 2014 | |
| SWT Mobile | AT&T | GSM & UMTS | 2013 | |
| TalkForGood | Verizon | CDMA | 2013 | |
| Trumpet Mobile | Sprint | CDMA | 2013 | |
| TúYo Mobile | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS | 2012 | |
| UppWireless | T-Mobile | GSM & UMTS | 2016 | |
| Voce | AT&T | GSM & UMTS | 2008 | |
| Votel Mobile | Sprint | CDMA | 2014 | |
| Voyager Mobile | Sprint | CDMA | 2015 | |
| WOW Mobile PCS | Sprint | CDMA | 2012 | |
| XCellular USA | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | 25 July 2014 | |
| ZACT | Sprint | CDMA & LTE | 3 August 2014 | |
| Zapp | Sprint | CDMA | 2012 | |
| ZUMA Prepaid | Sprint | CDMA | 2013 |
See also[edit]
- List of United States wireless communications service providers
- List of mobile network operators of the Americas#United States
References[edit]
- ^ Le Cadre, Helene; Bouhtou, Mustapha; Tuffin, Bruno (2009). "A Pricing Model for a Mobile Network Operator Sharing Limited Resource with a Mobile Virtual Network Operator". In Reichl, Peter; Stiller, Burkhard; Tuffin, Bruno. Network Economics for Next Generation Networks. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 24. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ Feldmann, Valerie (2005). Leveraging Mobile Media: Cross-Media Strategy and Innovation Policy for Mobile Media Communication. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 172. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Sprint Announces Wireless Lifeline Services Partnership with i-wireless | Sprint Newsroom". newsroom.sprint.com. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
- ^ News, A. B. C. (2009-07-28). "Sprint expands in prepaid, will buy Virgin Mobile". ABC News. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
- ^ BYOD or BYOP -- "Bring Your Own Device/Phone." Willing to connect compatible devices not sold by the company.
- ^ http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2015/03/consumer-cellular-now-offers-service-on.html
- ^ "Credo Mobile MVNO dumps Sprint for Verizon: source".
- ^ http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2016/12/ecomobile-unveils-new-20-and-25.html
- ^ " ROK Mobile To Cease Service On T-Mobile And Sprint From Dec. 18", Prepaid Mobile Phone Reviews, 2015-07-12
- ^ "Does ting roam on US cellular and Verizon towers?". Ting. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
- ^ "Tucows emerges from decade-long slumber in deepening effort to win disgruntled U.S. mobile customers". Financial Post. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ^ "California Lifeline: Free Cell Phones with Unlimited Talk/Text". www.freegovernmentcellphones.net. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
- ^ "Is any phone compatible with my free phone network?". www.freegovernmentcellphones.net. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
- ^ "Lifeline Providers". Prepaid Wireless Guide. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
- ^ "TAG Mobile Phone Models – Shop Lifeline Phones | Lifeline Shops". www.tagmobile.com. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
- ^ http://www.themarshalltown.com/ringplus-announces-official-porting-date-to-ting-for-all-subscribers-ahead-of-shutdown/22921
