great comparison, more people should know about this

Really an excellent overview, have you written or are you considering writing similar articles on other networks' MVNOs?

Be careful of the H2O "Unlimited" plan, its very limited to 5000 minutes a and 5000 texts a month.

Do these 5 companies each require you to buy their own phones to use on their network? Can I use my own unlocked GSM phone?

You can use any phone that works with AT&T including AT&T locked phones and all unlocked GSM phones that support the 800 and 1900 MHz bands.

I've got an at&t branded Samsung Focus S with Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango). Would these MVNO's allow the Internet Sharing (tethering) with their data plans?

I had the Pure Talk unlimited talk and text plan and all I had to do was order the sim card for my LG Vue that I had with AT&T. The service wasn't bad at all, it was on the AT&T network. The only thing I really didn't like was that you had to set it up for auto pay from a debit or credit card. All in all the service was good and their CS was also very good when you actually got to talk to someone, I always spoke to someone that spoke english not broken english. Nice and cheap alternative to a contract plan. We live off the beaten path and always had good service, never had any dropped calls.

No mention of StraightTalk? Buy a SIM card from StraightTalk for $15 and specify an AT&T phone during signup. $45+tax Unlimited EVERYTHING using AT&T towers.

Page Plus is great and they the run on Verizon's network!

So, what's that got to do with Att mvnos?

I want to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note, but am undecided between the intl version (N7000) or the US AT&T version i717. The intl version is (in my opinion) a better phone for several reasons: Dual-core 1.4 Ghz Exynos processor vs the 1.5Ghz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon, the Maili GPU, the physical home button on the bottom front of the phone, no AT&T junk, and the FM radio. I have read that it will definately work with HSPA+ on Straight Talk. But no support for T-Mobile 3G data or 4G LTE. Also, it is is my understanding that this intl version will come with no US warranty. Thus I am leaning towards the US version i717 due to the warranty and the 4G capability with...? My understanding is that if I get the US version, I must get one of the MVNOs mentioned in your post above, specifically people in my area (Miami, FL) are recommending H2O. I would prefer to go with Straight Talk but am not sure it will get anything more than 2G GSM. My question is which phone version and which carrier should I get that will give me a decent US warranty and 4G? Thank you for your help. Your posts have been very helpful.

I'm sorry but I am still a bit confused. So I could buy the Intl version or the AT&T version and use either one with Straight Talk or H2O? The company I wish to by the AT&T version is telling me that "While we can guarantee that
the device will work with Straight Talk's GSM
frequencies, we cannot
guarantee that it will work with their 3G/data
frequencies as Straight
Talk uses T-Mobile's 3G network which requires the
use of the 1700MHz
band" I am interpreting this to mean that if I get Straight Talk with the AT&T Note I may not get HSPA+. But it seems you are saying otherwise. I am misinterpreting something. Bottom line is I want to buy the AT&T US version Note phone from an ebay seller named devices_now_inc with a 98.3% positive feedback from 4768 people, so they seem reputable, but I don't want any problems once I receive the phone. The phone is a great price at $499.77, best I have found for Intl or AT&T version. They say they will include a sales invoice in the box for proof of purchase. What do you think?

The quote I gave you was from the ebay seller of the phone not Straight Talk. Sorry for any confusion. The ebay seller told me today that the AT&T Note will work fine on Straight Talk ie. 3G, in a location where AT&T provides 3G, just like you said. I live in Miami and AT&T provides 3G here. Ok, so I will buy the AT&T version of the Note from this ebay seller as he also assures me that a receipt and warranty card will be in the box. So of all the MVNOs which do you recommend I use with this phone? I'm not married to any one of them. I thought Straight Talk was really good, but upon more investigation, H20 seems good as well. I called their customer support and they told me exactly what I need to do to transfer my current cell number from T-Mobile to H20. I understand Straight Talk has poor customer service, but their webiste directions seem very clear. H2O is offering a special $50 plan with 500mb internet and 1000 free minutes intl calling (which I won't use except for Canada). Stores in Miami who sell the AT&T Note all say to use it on H20, but I don't trust anything they say!

OK, thanks for the tips. I think I'll start with Straight Talk since you do get more data for less money from them. I'm sorry for the basic question, but how do I switch all of my stored phone numbers from a SIM purchased at Straight Talk (for example) to a SIM purchased at another MVNO? Thank you again for all of your help and advice!

Ok, great! Do I need to disable or uninstall any carrier specific or branded applications that may be on the Samsung Galaxy Note i717? I'll let you know how it all goes. Thanks again for your wonderful information!

Yes. I have all of the APN settings for AT&T from the Straight Talk website and the ebay seller gives a nice explaination of exactly how to change the settings with the phone on his ebay listing. I will order the phone tomorrow and try to swing by Walmart to buy the Straight Talk card. I'll let you know how it all works out once I get it all set up. Thank you again. You have helped me out tremendously!

Thank you so much Yeswap for this fantastic article!!! Right now i was worried about losing my att contract but these prices are so fantastic!!! You have gave me and my iphone 4 great hope!!! THANK YOU!!! Please keep up the great work:)

Straight talk is a scam. They called me in the middle of the night, like 3am, and told me that I used over a 100mb that day. I was startled to death, confused like something bad happened to family or something. It was really disturbing. I didnt even use over 1gb for that month. I just happen to watch a few videos on youtube that day. Then they startle the hell out of me for using 112mb. Give me a break. I cut them off. Someone should sue them for false advertisement.

Hi Yeswap,
out of these five companies, which ones offer auto refill?


Thanks

Hi Yeswap,
thanks so much for the informative article. I am moving to the US from the UK in a week and was wondering if I can bring my legally unlocked iphone 3GS with me and buy a SIM from one of these companies, or maybe Straight Talk, and if it will still work? Do I buy an 'unlocked GSM SIM'?
Thank you!

Does anybody know of a way to turn off balance notifications on H2O?

Hi Yeswap,

How would start my own MVNO company through ATT or T-MOBILE? I see some opportunity here.

Thanks,

Hi Yeswap, how do you turn off balance notifications on H2O minute plan?


Thanks

Can I use an unlocked at&t iphone 4 with the data plan for pure talk or do i need to have the phone unlocked...thanks

can i use a LOCKED at&t iphone 4 with pure talk's data plan or do i need to have the phone unlocked? Thanks

This article helps a lot . The problem for me is that my phone supports 3G on wcdma 900/2100. Do you know if it is possible for me to get 3G support from one mvno (tmobile or att?)? Actually I am now using att prepared plan. On tmicell website, I refilled $100 on my att account by just paying $90, tax included. So the $50+ att unlimited prepaid plan actually costs me $45 per month.

Yeswap...how come you know so much? Also which MVMO company do you personally use?

Hi Yeswap,
T-Mobile and sprint are generally cheaper than verizon and att. Why is that, is it just because verizon and att are bigger companies? do sprint and tmobile customers miss out on anything besides rollover and mobile to mobile? also, why is sprint native coverage the smallest of the four, even smaller than tmobile when tmobile is the smaller company? Is there a particular reasoning to this? also, how are tmobile's data speeds in the foster city, CA and san mateo, CA (around 30 minutes away from san francisco)areas compared to AT&T? how are sprint and verizon's data speeds in foster city and san mateo? I know that ATT and Verizon have lte here now, right? Thank you very much yeswap you are awesome.

Hi Yeswap,

Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge on the subject with the ignorant masses like myself!

I am in many ways a minimalist and as such am interested in a European model Samsung, (GT-B2710), for basic talk and text usage only. I have located new ones from a couple of differrent U.S. sellers on E-Bay at a reasonable price. Once company ,NPS in Utah, doesn't know whether their phones are unlocked or not since they only buy random wholesale lots of electronics for resale. The other company describes their phones as "carrier specific to Cincinatti Bell", which I assume means locked. If either of these are actually locked versions, could I still use them for AT&T, Jolt, etc.... by simply installing the SIM, or would they need to be unlocked first?

I have found numerous offerings that are definitely unlocked, but they are in the $120 range as compared to $80 for the possibly locked phones previously mentioned.

Thanks for your excellent website and great info.

Thoughts on consumer cellular (as they have in the news recently from consumer reports)?

PureTalk Flex plan ($10 Base plan or higher) price for sms is 3.3c, not 5c.

PureTalk Flex plan voice rates now range from 4.4-7.7c/min, not 7-10c.

H20 minute plan has a minimum monthly avg charge of $8.33 if you spend $100 for a year.

PureTalk plans are autopay only, with a credit card. Their eBill options just change whether and how you get a receipt:
None, Email, Text, Email and Text.

When you need more minutes in the middle of a billing cycle on the Flex Plan, you pay a lower rate. EG, 195 min for $10, vs. 130 min. You might as well set the higher $20 Flex limit in advance, since you pay the same price for the same total minutes, 325. These minutes roll over every month when you pay.
If your credit card is refused, you do not lose your minutes when your account is suspended (you might not know your charge did not go through if you decide not to get an eBill - they would not contact you under this option). You get your minute balance back when you make your next payment.

Have you ever done a comparison of T-Mobile MVNO's?


Steve

Oddly enough, this doesn't cover straighttalk, which does $45/month for unlimited voice, text and data. Their customer support is moderate to bad, but T-mobile is the only company where I'd rate CS as good, anyway. Only problem with ST is that it doesn't handle MMS on all phones (iPhones have to jailbreak or follow some directions that are pretty complicated, and which I haven't tried, since my phone is jailbroken, and also I don't use MMS anyway).

But I've been using them for a month so far, and it's been fine. And unlimited everything for $45 is pretty fine.

Note that some folks have reported being throttled after about 3 GB in a month. I can't say much about that, since I can't get my usage that high anyway.

Stay away from StraightTalk $45 "Unlimited" talk, text and web. It's bogus and fraud! They throttle the data to not even 5mb. And after the 1st month it was throttled, it didn't restore the following month. I did not need data anyway so I wanted to downgrade to the $30 plan for calls and texting only but I couldn't. I wasted 3 months paying $45 for calls and texting only. I finally switched to H20 $30 calls and text only plan.

What about the net10 unlimited for $50? Do they throttle you like straight talk? and are you restricted from streaming too?

AirVoice has added 100 International SMS and unlimited incoming International SMS and MMS to its $35 and up monthly plans.

AirVoice also includes $10 worth of International long distance to its $35 and up monthly plans.

It seems that Straight Talk has taken there "AT&T Compatible" sim card option off the website and just has the "T-Mobile Compatible" sim card option. Am I missing something?

I have a question. I have a SGH-i747 (ATT Samsung GS3). I'm currently with Simple MObile. I want to go with a ATT MVNO ofcourse to get the best out of my phone. I need 4g or H+ speeds and 1GB data. Need by bill to be $50/under. Any recommendations? Thanks

Edits for your Table for AT&T monthly plans:

1. AT&T Unlimited plans should use footnote ***, not ****
2. You could add the data overage rate of 5c/mb for the $65 AT&T smartphone plan. This is from the AT&T GoPhone Terms, http://www.att.com/shop/legalterms.html?toskey=prepaidPlanTerms&
3. The AT&T $25/mo. plan can be renewed early to provide additional talk minutes (extra 83c/day for each 'early' day). This might be worth a *note.

When changing over from AT&T to one of these MVNOs, would you expect the same quality signal and technology as AT&T? Or does AT&T somehow limit what is made available to MVNOs? For example, I would like to buy an iPhone 5, but would hope that all technology available to me as an AT&T customer would be available to me as a customer of one of these MVNOs, say Red Pocket, Consumer Cellular or TracFone.

I've been using an iPhone 5 with straight talk for 3 months now, I'm a moderate to heavy data user and haven't received and calls although I've noticed some throttling by the end of the service month. It's usually restored after refill. Average speeds for HSPA+ 4.5mb down 1mb up. Which works for me. For $45 a month it's a pretty good deal. Can't beat that price. Only thing that sucks is mms but I was able to make it work with the sim swap method until the iOS 6 jailbreak came out.

Does anyone know whether the AT&T gophone data add-on will roll over as many months as it takes to use up the data, if you renew the $25 plan before it expired each month?
For example, if you buy 1GB and use 100mb/month, would it last 10 months?
This would mean the $25 plan with 100mb data would cost $27.50/month (plus any taxes and fees).

Hi Yeswap,
Which ATT prepaid service allows you to choose your own number?

Two Questions about Airvoice because looking at switching my iPhone to the $40 plan (unlimited voice, unlimited text, 500MB data).

1. is Airvoice on 3G?

2. would balance notifications be off for this $40 plan? would think there would be no balance notification for the unlimited voice and unlimited text. but wondering if my iPhone would be constantly beeping since the data is only up to 500MB on the $40 plan.

So I'm considering going with Net10's AT&T sim to use in my Droid DNA. I read about the new 1.5gb hard cap. By hard cap does that mean no overages? If I burn up 1.5gb, then I just have no data til the next billing cycle but still have unlimited minutes and SMS/MMS? As a side note, how is the coverage of Net10 (AT&T)? Their site just has a default stock image coverage map. How comparable is it to AT&T postpaid? How is domestic data roaming handled? Does it eat up the same 1.5gb or does it have a small cap solely on domestic roaming?

Thanks!

So I read NET10's terms and conditions about using data and one part confuses me:
The NET10 Unlimited Plan MAY NOT be used for any other purpose. Examples of prohibited uses include...(iii) uploading, downloading or streaming of audio or video programming or games...

So I wouldn't be able to watch Netflix or YouTube or download apps??? What is the point?

And furthermore, it doesn't look like Netflix supports BYOD plans or sell SIM-cards only, so how would I be able to use my smartphone?

I already have AT&T, but I really don't like paying almost $90 for service when I could pay $60 for the same service.

So my question is this. Which AT&T MVNO has the FASTEST DATA? Do anyone of the AT&T MVNO's use the new LTE or just the HSPA+? I am ready to buy an unlocked phone and port my number over to an AT&T MVNO.

Which MVNO would YOU GO WITH?

Thank you!

I have several questions and really feel that you might be the person that can help me. I purchased the GS3 from Sprint on black Friday, nothing but issues. Sprint sent Airwave, then offered to let me outta contract (Unheard of I thought due to new phones with contracts for 2 more yrs) I have had 4 months to try and figure out what is the best solution for me and other members on plan I pay for. I purchases the Iphone 5 and airtime from Wal-Mart after researching and really feeling that this plan was best, after 1 1/2 hrs and speaking to 3 CS found out that on March 1st that they would shut off data after 1.5mb..not great for someone that had just spent $1500. Wal-Mart took all back!!! Yippee!! but..back to trying to figure out what to do now? I've spent countless hours on XDA, and Howard forums, Wiki, from trying to figure out if I should unlock my phones with CDMA (I meet all criteria in order to obtain unlock LEGALLY!) BUT..which MNVO would be best? I know Verizon and ATT are strong in my area, Kingston Ga 30145. I have come to the conclusion that the more information that I find the more confused I become. I have a very broad spectrum of what I need from the company. I currently have 3 lines on Sprint pay $170, 2 smart phones, 1 basic, with 23% discount. Problem, no service for myself and having to use WiFi to get most out of phone, the basic phone is my father in law who roughly uses 120 minutes and thats it, a 19yr old that has rooted and now receives no data or mms off of Sprints network, and my 11yr old that has Virgin mobile.
I have spent so many days and nights trying to figure out where, how, which company, which phone, where to get phone, do I unlock or buy unlocked, if its unlocked will the MVNO accept, if I unlock will I brick or overclock??? I just want someone to help me see through the mess. I did look at Wiki's list of all MVNO's and researched several but still lost. EVERY TIME I think I have it figured out, and think MVNO is the way to go...by the time I calculate it I'm over $200, cept Page plus. I know this isn't all related to your topic, but I have seen you on some many blogs, forums, and topics that I know that you have the information and can guide me where I am not getting cursed at for being a noob, or walking into a carrier and knowing more than they do..PLEASE HELP!! The GS3 is mine to keep, I have 2 EVO's 4 G (1 clean ESN, 1 not)all Sprint, and a Kyocera Rise (11yr old VM.)Price is #1, Coverage, Phone options, Customer Service. Thank you!!!!!!

Could you point me in the right direction, to TalkForGood phones? I'm still somewhat confused on exactly how to decide which phones if brought work on which network. Straight Talk is pretty clear. I'm curious if I have access to Verizon's Iphone4 or 4's, if they would work without doing anything. Do I just have to call and have the carrier check the ESN? I apologize for all the questions. I like TalkForGood more than Page Plus. I have stronger ATT towers than any other network, which is the reason I was reading this topic. Do you know which phones are the best on those carriers? I am not worried about 2 out of the 4 people. Thank you again!!

Thank you! That was very clear and to the point. I believe that stacking the different options from the MVNO's even if different carriers is going to be my best option. With the information you gave me I have a better understanding of where and what device will work. The only other questions that I would love to know is where to find credible resources without all the code language to rooting. You seem to break things down without confusion, do you already have sites with this information? Again, Thank you!!! I actually am a huge fan of Sprints customer service, but drop calls, no data, and only 1 out of 3 using anything claimed unlimited isn't worth it. I don't know why I am so scared of MVNO's..society I imagine, if it isn't a huge marketing scheme pushing it, then it must be no good. I appreciate you taking the time to explain which company offers customer service!

Do all at&t mvno get same coverage meaning hspa+?

Does puretalkusa have hspa+

Hi Dennis,
I just spoke to an AT&T rep over the phone, and he said that most of AT&T's prepaid customers receive recycled phone numbers that have already been used. I'm wondering if this is really the case? Also, If I were to go to an AT&t store or a authorized reseller like RadioShack, do you think that they would be able to offer me a phone number from the postpaid list? And if worse comes to worst, should i get a phone number from a different phone company to port? I know that verizon uses the same bucket of numbers for both prepaid and postpaid. I'm not sure what to do, becuase I sick and tired of receiving previous owner's phone calls. If I were to buy another phone just to get a phone number, which do you think would be best for not getting a recycled number. I also want to be able to choose my phone number, to make sure that it is simple.

Hi Dennis,
I noticed that Red Pocket and H2O both offer $30 unlimited talk/text plans. Are there any other companies that offer the same plan for the same price? Which AT&T mvno would you recommend out of all that have this plan? Are some of these mvnos better than others?