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List of mobile virtual network operators in the United States

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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]

As of 2016 MVNOs served about 36 million subscribers.[3]

Voice and data service operators

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".

Company Host network GSM LTE CDMA UMTS BYOD[4] Unlimited Data Tablet Plan iOS WiFi Calling Personal Hotspot Notes
Affinity Cellular Verizon Yes Yes No Yes
AirVoice Wireless AT&T Yes Yes Yes No
AF Mobile Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Previously known as Armed Forces Wireless.
Best Cellular AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Previously known as Boss Cellular
Black Wireless AT&T Yes Yes Yes Yes
Boom Mobile AT&T, Sprint, 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 Yes Service through Mint SIM.
CellNUVO AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cellular Abroad AT&T Yes Yes Yes No
Chit Chat Mobile Sprint Yes Yes Yes No
Community Phone Sprint Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Consumer Cellular AT&T, T-Mobile[5] Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Credo Mobile Verizon Yes Yes No Yes Yes Switched from Sprint to Verizon MVNO 08/16[6]
Cricket Wireless AT&T Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Owned by AT&T Mobility
China Telecom Americas (CTExcel) T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by China Telecom
China Unicom Americas (CUniq) T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DataPass Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Only available at www.getdatapass.com
EasyGO Wireless AT&T Yes Yes Yes No
EcoMobile Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon[7] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
enTouch Wireless Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Previously known as Boomerang Wireless.
Expo Mobile Sprint, Verizon Yes Yes Yes No
Flash Wireless Sprint, Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Can get free service for life through their "strive for 5" referral program.
FreedomPop AT&T, Sprint Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Voice is VoIP by default, "Premium Voice" add-on for CDMA calling
FreeUp Mobile AT&T Yes Yes Yes Yes No Voice is VoIP by default, "Premium Voice" add-on for CDMA calling
good2GO Mobile AT&T, Sprint Yes Yes Yes Yes No
GoSmart Mobile T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by TracFone Wireless. Acquired from T-Mobile.

Speeds only at 3G speeds

GreatCall Verizon Yes Yes No No
Hayai Mobile AT&T, T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes
H2O Wireless AT&T Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No H2O wireless is owned by Locus telecommunications,a subsidiary of KDDI America.
KDDI Mobile AT&T Yes Yes Yes Yes does not appear to offer mobile service in the US.For domestic customers, service is offered by H2O Wireless,a brand of Locus Communications. Locus' parent company is KDDI America. 10/9/2017
Jolt Mobile AT&T Yes Yes Yes No
KidsConnect T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes No No
Kroger i-wireless Sprint Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ladybug Wireless AT&T, T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Independent. Offers unlimited data for high speed internet in rural areas. Will offer cell phone and other services.
Liberty Wireless T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes No
LycaMobile T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Madstar Mobile Sprint Yes Yes Yes Yes
Metro by T-Mobile T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by T-Mobile US
Mint Mobile T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by Ultra Mobile
Mobal T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
NationPCS Sprint No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Offers only one rate plan. Unlimited talk, text, and data for $35
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
NTT DoCoMo USA T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes No No
OTR Mobile AT&T, Unlimited Potable Wireless Internet Yes Yes No Yes Yes OTRmobile.com
Page Plus Cellular Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by TracFone Wireless
Patriot Mobile Sprint Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pix Wireless AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Pix Wireless provides prepaid wireless service on 400+ Worldwide Networks. BYOD. Pixwireless.com Pixworldsim.com
Project Fi Sprint, T-Mobile, Three, U.S. Cellular Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Combines all listed networks together
Uses price capping to allow for an unlimited plan.[8]
Proven Wireless Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Pure TalkUSA AT&T Yes Yes Yes No
Puppy Wireless Verizon, Sprint Yes Yes Yes No
Q Link Wireless Sprint Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ready Mobile Sprint Yes Yes Yes No
Red Pocket Mobile AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Republic Wireless Sprint, T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
Roam Mobility T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes
ROK Mobile AT&T[9] Yes Yes Yes Yes
Scratch Wireless Sprint Yes Yes No No
SeaWolf Wireless T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Selectel Wireless Verizon Yes Yes Yes No
Simple Mobile T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by TracFone Wireless
SkyView Wireless AT&T Yes Yes Yes No
Selectel Wireless Verizon Yes Yes Yes No
Spectrum Mobile Verizon No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by Charter Communications
Straight Talk AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by TracFone Wireless. Available at Walmart & Straight Talk Website.
Stream Wireless Sprint Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Telcel América Sprint, T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes No Owned by TracFone Wireless
Tello US Sprint 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 Yes Yes 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.[12]

Total Wireless Verizon Yes Yes Yes No Owned by TracFone Wireless. Available at Walmart, Total Wireless website and other retailers.[13]
TracFone AT&T, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular (feature phones only), Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes 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 No No
Unreal Mobile AT&T, Sprint Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by FreedomPop. Voice is VoIP for GSM calling.
US Mobile T-Mobile, Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Value Wireless T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Virgin Mobile USA Sprint Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by Sprint Corporation
Visible Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by Verizon[14]
Walmart Family Mobile T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by TracFone Wireless. Available only at Walmart. Acquired from T-Mobile
Wing Sprint Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by Wingtel Inc. Available only at www.wingalpha.com
Xfinity Mobile Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Owned by Comcast Corporation
Available to Comcast subscribers only
Roams on wireless hotspots
BYOD limited to Apple iPhone 5 or newer[15]
ZingPCS AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Website is down (8/17/2018).

ZIP SIM T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Lifeline Assistance free government operators (California and Minnesota)

The following is a list of the mobile virtual network operators offering government subsidized Lifeline mobile services in California and Minnesota.[16][17][18][19] This list needs to be expanded for all other states. All 50 States run and operate their own Lifeline programs so company, MVNOs participation and plan offerings vary greatly from state to state.

California

Company Host network Wireless technology BYOD Free Phone Data Notes
Access Wireless Sprint CDMA Yes1 Yes 200MB
Assurance Wireless Sprint CDMA No Yes 1GB
Entouch Wireless Verizon CDMA Yes Yes 500MB
Feel Safe Wireless AT&T GSM, UMTS Yes Yes 1GB
Life Wireless AT&T GSM, UMTS Yes1 Yes 500MB dba Telrite
SafeLink Wireless AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Verizon2 GSM, CDMA, UMTS, LTE Yes Yes 2GB Owned by TracFone, 3GB for the first three months of service for BYOD users
SafetyNet Wireless Sprint, T-Mobile GSM, CDMA Yes Yes 1GB BYOD: 1.5GB (4 month period)
TAG Mobile Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon2 GSM, CDMA, UMTS, LTE Yes Yes 1GB
TruConnect (formerly Telscape) Sprint CDMA Yes Yes 1GB

Minnesota

Company Host network Wireless technology BYOD Free Phone Data Notes
Assist Wireless Sprint, T-Mobile GSM, CDMA Yes Yes 1GB
Assurance Wireless Sprint CDMA No Yes 1GB
Entouch Wireless Verizon CDMA Yes Yes 500MB
Life Wireless AT&T GSM, UMTS Yes1 Yes 500MB dba Telrite
Q Link Wireless Sprint CDMA, LTE Yes Yes 1GB
SafeLink Wireless AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Verizon2 GSM, CDMA, UMTS, LTE Yes Yes 2GB Owned by TracFone, 3GB for the first three months of service for BYOD users
StandUp Wireless AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon GSM, CDMA, UMTS, LTE No Yes 1GB
TAG Mobile Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon2 GSM, CDMA, UMTS, LTE Yes Yes 1GB
Tempo Telecom Sprint CDMA No Yes 500MB
TerraCom Wireless Sprint, Verizon CDMA Yes Yes 1GB
TruConnect (formerly Telscape) Sprint CDMA Yes Yes 1GB

1 Does not officially support BYOD.

2 Hosted by T-Mobile in California.[20]

Discontinued Lifeline MVNOs

Company State Notes
Blue Jay Wireless CA Out of Business, few Months 2017 - 2018
Budget Mobile CA Out of Business

International SIM voice and data service operators

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
ChatSim AT&T, Sprint, Verizon UMTS, CDMA, LTE Unlimited messaging with 10 apps in 160+ countries.[21]
KnowRoaming Telna GSM Global SIM solution for voice and data
Telna Telna GSM Global SIM solution for voice and data
TravelSim AT&T UMTS
TravelSim T-Mobile GSM & UMTS
Truphone AT&T UMTS
Truphone T-Mobile GSM & UMTS

Voice service operators

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
Earthtones AT&T UMTS
H2O Wireless CDMA Verizon CDMA
Pure Unlimited AT&T UMTS

Mobile broadband operators

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 AT&T, Sprint CDMA, GSM, UMTS, & LTE AT&T is "LTE SIM" product, offers VoIP voice
Hayai Broadband AT&T, T-Mobile UMTS & LTE
H2O Wireless AT&T UMTS & LTE
H2O Wireless Bolt Sprint CDMA
Internet on the Go Sprint CDMA Owned by TruConnect
Karma Sprint CDMA & LTE
Madstar Mobile Sprint CDMA & LTE
MetroPCS T-Mobile GSM, UMTS, & LTE
NetZero Sprint CDMA & LTE
OTR Mobile AT&T GSM, UMTS, & LTE
Red Pocket Mobile T-Mobile GSM, UMTS, & LTE
Simple Mobile T-Mobile GSM, UMTS, & LTE
Selectel Verizon CDMA & LTE
Telna Telna GSM
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

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, T-Mobile, Verizon CDMA, LTE, GSM & UMTS
Harbor Mobile AT&T, T-Mobile GSM, UMTS, & LTE Not activating new lines
Kajeet Sprint, Verizon LTE Educational purchases[22]
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
Net10 Business AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon CDMA, LTE, GSM & UMTS www.net10business.com

IoT service providers

Company Host network Wireless technology Notes
Aeris Communications Inc AT&T, Sprint, Vodafone CDMA, LTE, GSM & UMTS

Defunct, merged and acquired operators

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
AirLink Mobile Sprint CDMA Unknown
Brightspot T-Mobile GSM & UMTS December 2015 Available only at Target
BYO Wireless T-Mobile, Verizon CDMA, GSM, UMTS, & LTE 2015
BZRMobile Sprint CDMA & LTE Website inaccessible as of 2016-06-15
Caffee Communications Verizon CDMA & LTE March 2018
Charge Sprint CDMA & LTE June 2017 [23]
Circle-K Talk-and-Go AT&T GSM & UMTS 2011
Cloven Sprint CDMA & LTE Website inaccessible as of 2015-04-27
Comcast Clearwire, Sprint 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
enVie Mobile Verizon CDMA & LTE March 2017
Español Mobile Sprint CDMA & LTE Unknown
ESPN MVP Sprint CDMA 2006
FamilyTalk Wireless AT&T, Sprint, Verizon UMTS, CDMA & LTE 2017
Firefly Mobile AT&T GSM & UMTS 2012
FMP Wireless Verizon CDMA & LTE 2017
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 T-Mobile, Verizon CDMA, GSM, & UMTS Unknown
Helio Sprint CDMA 2010 Resurrected brand from 2015 shut down, as well.
Infinium Wireless Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon CDMA, GSM, LTE & UMTS 2017
iQ Cellular AT&T, Sprint, Verizon CDMA 2014
Itel UTel Sprint CDMA & LTE Website inaccessible as of 2015-04-27
Jaguar Mobile T-Mobile GSM, LTE & UMTS Unknown
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 c
Pure Mobile Verizon GSM & UMTS 2012
Qwest Wireless Sprint CDMA 2010
Ring Plus, Inc Sprint CDMA & LTE 21 February 2017 Customers absorbed by Ting Mobile in February, 2017[24]
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
STi Mobile Sprint CDMA Unknown
SWT Mobile AT&T GSM & UMTS 2013
TalkForGood Verizon CDMA 2013
Total Call Mobile Sprint CDMA Unknown
Touch Mobile Sprint CDMA & LTE Unknown
Trumpet Mobile Sprint CDMA 2013
TúYo Mobile T-Mobile GSM & UMTS 2012
Univision Mobile T-Mobile GSM, UTMS & LTE 2017 Absorbed by Ultra Mobile in July 2017[25]
UppWireless T-Mobile GSM & UMTS 2016
UVA Mobile T-Mobile GSM, UMTS & LTE 2017
UWT Mobile AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile GSM, CDMA, UMTS & LTE Unknown Cellular service discontinued
Voce AT&T GSM & UMTS 1 February 2008
Votel Mobile Sprint CDMA 2014
Voyager Mobile Sprint CDMA 2015
Wireless Services US Verizon CDMA & LTE July 2017 [26]
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
ZERO11 Wireless AT&T UMTS Unknown
ZUMA Prepaid Sprint CDMA 2013

See also

References

  1. ^ 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 (eds.). Network Economics for Next Generation Networks. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 24. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "The Phone Companies People Actually Love". Bloomberg. 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2018-05-06. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  4. ^ BYOD or BYOP -- "Bring Your Own Device/Phone." Willing to connect compatible devices not sold by the company.
  5. ^ "Consumer Cellular Now Offers Service on Both AT&T and T-Mobile". www.prepaidphonenews.com.
  6. ^ "Credo Mobile MVNO dumps Sprint for Verizon: source | FierceWireless". www.fiercewireless.com. Retrieved 2017-07-30.
  7. ^ "ECO Mobile Unveils New $20 and $25 Unlimited Plans". www.prepaidphonenews.com.
  8. ^ "Project Fi creates its own version of an unlimited plan". The Verge. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
  9. ^ "Rok Mobile Plans – Verizon and Sprint Plans Discontinued". Prepaid Mobile Phone Reviews. 2018-05-09. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  10. ^ "Does ting roam on US cellular and Verizon towers?". Ting. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
  11. ^ "Tucows emerges from decade-long slumber in deepening effort to win disgruntled U.S. mobile customers". Financial Post. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  12. ^ "RingPlus customers: A lifeline from Ting". Ting.com. 2017-02-06. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  13. ^ "Total Wireless - Find a Store". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  14. ^ "Privacy policy". Visible. 2018-04-23. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  15. ^ "Data". www.xfinity.com.
  16. ^ "California Lifeline: Free Cell Phones with Unlimited Talk/Text". www.freegovernmentcellphones.net. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  17. ^ "Is any phone compatible with my free phone network?". www.freegovernmentcellphones.net. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  18. ^ "Lifeline Providers". Prepaid Wireless Guide. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  19. ^ "{3 Methods} How to get a fake number for WhatsApp account". Moto Developers. 2017-12-20. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
  20. ^ "TAG Mobile Phone Models – Shop Lifeline Phones | Lifeline Shops". www.tagmobile.com. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  21. ^ "What's ChatSim?". ChatSim. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
  22. ^ Kajeet. "Frequently Asked Questions | Kajeet". www.kajeet.net. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  23. ^ "The end of Charge's mobile service". Charge Blog. 2017-06-02. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
  24. ^ "RingPlus customers: A lifeline from Ting". Ting.com. 2017-02-06. Retrieved 2018-07-27.
  25. ^ "Univision Mobile Shutting Down in July, Customers Will Be Migrated to Ultra Mobile". www.prepaidphonenews.com.
  26. ^ Mccoy, Curtis (July 31, 2017). "Wireless Services US (WSUS) Going Out of Business". Best Cellular. Retrieved August 1, 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)