Wireless Carriers

What carrier should I buy for an unlimited data plan? What carrier do you recommend that is also cheap? And has good customer service. I don't have a big income so I need a cheap carrier. Are there any new companies that have had good service?

Hello, I have an iPhone 7, currently with Verizon but phone is not paid off. Service has been shut off for a few months. I can only use my phone on WiFi. I do not have service at all with Verizon. Can I just buy a new SIM card from Straight Talk, Talknow or Boost and have service? I’m afraid if...

The map lets you choose different areas around the world to find where 5G is available. Where Can You Get 5G? This Map Shows You : Read more

T-Mobile’s CEO John Legere promises that “American consumers will pay less and get more.” T-Mobile Promises Consumers Will 'Pay Less, Get More' After Sprint Merger : Read more

Here's a roundup of who's working on 5G phones and of when in 2019 you can expect to see these new devices. 5G Phones: Every Known Phone and Release Date : Read more

The tools were previously included in a $3-per-month Call Filter service. Verizon Will Soon Block Your Robocalls for Free : Read more

5G becomes a reality this year, but it may be a while before the average mobile user reaps the benefits. 5G Arrives This Year, But Should You Care? : Read more

AT&T is bridging the gap between 4G and 5G with 5G E label on Android phones. That's a problem. AT&T Plans to Put 5G Labels On Non-5G Phones : Read more

Verizon-owned Visible offers unlimited LTE smartphone data for just $40 a month — a bargain price if you don't mind using the iPhone. Visible Review: Is This Carrier's $40 Unlimited Plan Too Good to Be True? : Read more

Is your smartphone dropping a lot of phone calls in your home? The problem could be your cellular reception. Fortunately, you've got a couple options for tackling the issue. Help Me, Tom's Guide: How Do I Get a Better Cellphone Signal? : Read more

Google Fi is a new kind of wireless carrier that deviates from the pack, but T-Mobile offers the most competitive plans and perks among the big four networks. Here's how they stack up. Google Fi vs. T-Mobile: Which Is a Better Deal? : Read more

Google Fi has made headlines lately for expanding its service to cover more devices and users. But is it a good replacement for Verizon’s reliability? Google Fi vs. Verizon: Which Is Right for You? : Read more

The rest of the smartphone world may be amping up for 5G's launch in 2019, but Apple's iPhone will reportedly sit this one out. Here's why that’s unlikely to hurt Apple. Apple's Sitting Out the 5G Party — It's the Right Move : Read more

Now that Google has opened up its wireless service to more phones, you might be considering a switch to Google Fi. Here's what one customer experienced — both good and bad. My Month With Google Fi: Why I'm Sticking With It : Read more

Spectrum internet customers can also get their mobile phone service from the internet and cable provider. But how does Spectrum Mobile compare with other wireless carriers? What Is Spectrum Mobile, and Is It Worth It? : Read more

You can get a free Apple, Samsung, LG or OnePlus phone from the Uncarrier, but there's a couple catches. T-Mobile Gets a Jump on Holidays with Free Phone Offer : Read more

Project Fi now promotes Google's VPN across all forms of web traffic — through mobile data as well as Wi-Fi hotspots — for more secure connections. Google’s Project Fi Now Includes Free VPN Access : Read more

AT&T has completed the first 5G connection between a consumer-ready device. Here's what it means for you. AT&T Just Made Mobile 5G a Reality : Read more

Sprint may lag behind the other Big Four carriers in network speed, but its performance is still solid — especially considering how compelling its plans are. Sprint: It's Not As Bad As You Think : Read more

Our network speed testing found that Metro by T-Mobile finished first among discount carriers, thanks to the strength of T-Mobile’s wireless network. Metro by T-Mobile (MetroPCS) Is the Fastest Cheap Carrier : Read more

An inexpensive cellphone plan isn't worth it if the carrier stinks. Here are the best phone plans available from well-reviewed carriers. Best Cellphone Plans : Read more

T-Mobile's iPhone down payments are the steepest ever. Why T-Mobile Is the Worst Choice for iPhone Pre-Orders : Read more

The new T-Mobile Essentials plan will be the least expensive way for a family of four to enjoy unlimited data. But it comes with some restrictions. T-Mobile Unveils $60 Essentials Unlimited Plan: How It Compares : Read more

Qualcomm is touting new test numbers from Ookla that show phones with its modem outperforming devices that use Intel modems such as the latest iPhones from Apple. Android Phones Obliterate iPhone on 4G Speed Tests : Read more

Are you being flooded by spam calls from numbers with your area code and prefix? Here's how to avoid being tricked by these phony neighbors. How to Avoid (and Block) 'Neighbor-Spoofing' Robocalls : Read more

AT&T has doubled the "administrative fee" on the bottom of its monthly wireless bills from 76 cents to $1.99. AT&T has 64.5 million monthly customers, meaning it will raise its revenue by $800 million a year. AT&T Doubles Admin Fee for Customers Because It Can : Read more

Sprint and T-Mobile have dueling data plans that target customers 55 years and older. How do they compare, and can they beat Consumer Cellular's senior-focused cellphone service? Sprint 55 vs. T-Mobile 55+ vs. Consumer Cellular: Which Is Best? : Read more

As long as you're switching from another carrier, you can get a pretty serious unlimited plan discount. Sprint Is Offering a Crazy Cheap $15 Unlimited Plan : Read more

Sprint’s Unlimited 55+ can help older customers save serious money on phone service. Here's what you need to know. What Is Sprint Unlimited 55+ and Is It Worth It? : Read more

Motorola's midrange phone goes on sale at Verizon, where it will cost $249. How to Buy the Budget-Friendly Moto G6 : Read more

The Red Hydrogen One will be available through AT&T when it arrives later this summer, though we don't know when nor how much it will cost. Red's $1,300 Holograph Phone Coming to AT&T This Summer : Read more

Verizon, the United States' largest cellular carrier, has very quietly announced a new service called Visible, with unlimited calling, texts and data for $40 a month. What Is Verizon's Visible (and Is It Worth It?) : Read more

Here's what we know about the $26 billion deal combining the third- and fourth-largest carriers. T-Mobile, Sprint MaKe It Official: They're Merging : Read more

The carriers could announce a merger agreement by early next week. T-Mobile, Sprint Merger Looks Imminent: What It Means for You : Read more

Verizon and AT&T face an investigation into whether they’re using the emerging eSIM standard to make it harder to switch wireless carriers. Here’s what you need to know. eSIM Collusion Investigation: What You Need to Know : Read more

These phone carriers offer monthly plans costing $40 or less. Here are the pros and cons of each discount carrier and our top pick overall. The Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans (Under $40 per Month) : Read more

As tempting as it is to import a hot new phone that's only available overseas, it can be a frustrating process. Here's what to watch out for. Don’t Import a Phone Until You Read This : Read more

From Do Not Disturb features to third-party apps, a number of tools can help you keep robocalls from constantly buzzing your smartphone. Help Me, Tom’s Guide: How Do I Block Unwanted Phone Calls? : Read more

While the line between prepaid and postpaid phone service is blurring, some differences remain. Here's what you need to know. Prepaid vs. Postpaid Phone Service: What's Better for You? : Read more

We've compared the Big Four wireless providers, as well as a few alternatives, to recommend the best network for your Galaxy S9. Which Carrier Should You Choose For the S9? : Read more

We've compared the Big Four wireless providers, as well as a few alternatives, to recommend the best network for your Galaxy S9. Which Carrier Should You Choose For the S9? : Read more

With the biggest players in wireless communications detailing the next steps in their 5G rollout during Mobile World Congress, we learned the first 5G-capable device won't be a smartphone. 5G Smartphone Status Update: 2019 Is the Year : Read more

Here's where you can find the best deals on Samsung's hot, new flagship. Best Samsung Galaxy S9 Deals : Read more

T-Mobile's best iPhone X discount has arrived. T-Mobile Slashes $200 Off iPhone X (But There's a Catch) : Read more

AT&T has confirmed these cities will be the first of 12 that will get mobile 5G this year. Here Are the First Three Cities to Get AT&T's 5G : Read more

Verizon is taking extra steps to safeguard its devices from theft, though it could inconvenience its customers in the process. Here's what Verizon users should know. Verizon's New Anti-Theft Policy Could Be a Pain : Read more

Verizon may be the largest wireless network provider, but T-Mobile is winning over lots of customers. Here's a closer look at how these wireless rivals compare. T-Mobile vs. Verizon: It’s Amazing How Even of a Match This Is : Read more

T-Mobile is offering a free line of service. Here's what you need to know before signing up. Best Carrier Deals: T-Mobile Offers a Free Line of Data : Read more

Thieves are stealing phone numbers from T-Mobile customers, who then have online accounts hijacked. Add a passcode to your T-Mobile account. How to Keep Your T-Mobile Number from Being Hijacked : Read more

AT&T will roll out 5G service without a phone that can take advantage of faster speeds. Wait, What? AT&T's 5G Launch Won't Include Smartphones : Read more

T-Mobile put in another strong showing in OpenSignal's latest testing of network performance, winning five of six categories including fastest 4G speeds. Testing Firm: T-Mobile Is the 'Operator to Beat' : Read more

New 5G networks and phones should start to appear before the end of the year, but gigabit speeds and lower latency will also unlock a whole new world of devices. The Truth About 5G: What's Coming (and What's Not) in 2018 : Read more

Nearly every major wireless carrier offers an unlimited data plan. Now, Project Fi has joined them, thanks to a feature immediately active for all subscribers that stops charging you past a certain monthly limit. Here's How Google's Project Fi Now Delivers Unlimited Data : Read more

The wireless carrier says that it will make its network available in a dozen markets later this year. AT&T Bringing 5G to 12 Cities This Year : Read more

Moving a phone from one carrier to another can be quite a confusing and complicated process. This guide explains everything you need to know when switching services. Help Me, Tom's Guide: How Do I Take My Phone to a New Carrier? : Read more

Verizon and Qualcomm are working on a new technology called Massive MIMO that should significantly boost phone speeds in 2018. Verizon Breakthough Will Supercharge Phones in 2018 : Read more

Prepaid carrier Mint SIM offers low rates by selling its wireless service in packages of multiple months at a time. Here's everything you need to know before becoming a customer. What Is Mint SIM, and Is It Worth It? : Read more

The 3GPP has approved a 5G specification, which should go a long way towards accelerating its advancement. The First 5G Specification Has Been Approved : Read more

Yes, you can move your phone from MetroPCS' wireless service to Straight Talk's. But is that your best choice? Help Me, Tom's Guide: Should I Switch from MetroPCS to Straight Talk? : Read more

Starting in January, mobile users will be able to stream in-market NFL games live, no matter what network they're on. NFL Mobile No Longer Limited to Verizon Subscribers : Read more