Most consumers are familiar with the big-name wireless carriers like Verizon and AT&T, but not nearly as many are as well-versed when it comes Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) like Consumer Cellular or FreedomPop.
These MNVO brand operators license the towers and coverage from the tier-one providers and offer their own phones, rate plans, and customer service.
Let’s take a look at one in particular: US Mobile
About
US Mobile is a small MVNO that utilizes T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network and Verizon’s 4G LTE network and is known for letting customers add talk, text and data on the fly, at any time.
The carrier is not shy about its usage of T-Mobile, but it does appear to hide its Verizon component a bit. We’re not sure why.
What are US Mobile rate plans like?
US Mobile touts is affordable packages for subscribers who need wireless coverage but want some flexibility in the talk, text and time used each month.
Customers can pick and choose plans, customizing as they see fit, or choose from a selection of “Unlimited” options. Don’t want or need data? That’s fine.
The Unlimited Plans are as follows:
- $8/mo – Unlimited talk & text
- $12/mo – Unlimited talk, text, and 1GB data
- $15/mo – Unlimited talk, text, and 5GB data
- $20/mo – Unlimited talk, text, and 12GB data
- $25/mo – Unlimited talk, text, and 18GB data
- $30/mo – Unlimited talk, text, and 30GB data
The custom plans come with free international data.
Unlimited All
US Mobile offers a $45 option which includes unlimited talk, text, and data. To be clear, it’s at least 50GB of high speed data with heavier users potentially seeing reduced speeds after hitting the threshold.
US Mobile offers “Perks” which are incentives to sign up with at least three lines of service. Doing so gives the account holder the option to choose unlimited access to music, video, or another service. Examples include Audible, Spotify Family, Apple Music FAmily, HBO Max, and PlayStation Plus.
To qualify, add at least three lines to your account with unlimited plans sign up for Autopay. Verify your chosen subscriptions each month and US Mobile will apply a service credit equal to the subscription fee for that service. Sign up for a fourth line of service and you’ll be able to pick another perk.
Family Plans
US Mobile customers can create multi-line accounts with pooled data with pricing as low as $9 per line for unlimited talk and text. Simply choose how much data you’ll need for the family or account and you’re good to go. Pricing for data is cheap, too, at just $2 per gigabyte.
For example, a three-line plan with 20GB of shared data is looking at just $68.44 per month with taxes and fees. A couple who only needs 10GB of data would pay just $38.96 each month.
US Mobile phone selection
US Mobile has a small selection of phones to choose from, some of which are a few years old. We also recommend using your existing T-Mobile or Verizon phone if possible.
Noteworthy devices available today include the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, Galaxy Z Flip 3, One Plus 9, and Google Pixel 6.
Bring your own device
US Mobile tends to work better for people who already have a phone that they’d like to use. Whether it’s a T-Mobile or Verizon handset, or something else, you’ll probably have luck using it with US Mobile. According to the carrier, 99% of devices will work with its service.
What else should I know about US Mobile?
US Mobile operates entirely online and does not have any physical retail locations in the US.
US Mobile offers 5G data speeds for phones which are equipped with support.
For every friend you refer to US Mobile, the carrier will give you both up to $10. They save up to $10 on their first plan and you get up to $10 off your next bill.
You can easily add talk, text, and/or data Top Ups to your current plan to always stay connected. They roll over to next month when you use AutoPay, automatic bill payment.
A US Mobile starter SIM kit can be purchased for $3.99, letting subscribers keep their existing phone number.
