We've all been there. That amazing deal that attracted you to your current wireless carrier just isn't working for you anymore.
Maybe your bills have gone up over time or another provider is offering better features at a lower price.
Have you considered the T-Mobile network? No, I'm not talking about signing up with "The Uncarrier" itself. I'm talking about taking advantage of its nationwide 4G LTE and 5G coverage without paying T-Mobile rates.
We're going to let you in on a little industry secret - MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). Read on to find out what these are and how they can give you quality, cheaper cell phone service.
Cheapest T-Mobile phone plan
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 5GB
- Price
- $5/mo** 66% Off for 3 Months
Boost Mobile 5GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 5GB data for only $5 per month. Boost Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
Boost Mobile 5GB | 5GB | $5* * 66% Off for 3 Months |
Boost Mobile 1GB - 12 Mths | 1GB | $8* * $100 for 1 year service |
Boost Mobile Unlimited Data | Unlimited | $12.50* * 50% Off First Month |
Boost Mobile 15GB | 15GB | $20* * $240 for 1 year service |
Pros
Nationwide coverage on AT&T & T-Mobile
5G & 4G LTE data speeds
Buy online and no credit checks
Bring your own phone
Cheapest unlimited data plan
Cons
No data only plans
Best prepaid T-Mobile switch deal
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 1GB
- Price
- $10/mo
Tello 1GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 1GB data for only $10 per month. Tello plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
Tello Unlimited Talk & Text | 0GB | $8 |
Tello 1GB | 1GB | $10 |
Tello 2GB | 2GB | $14 |
Tello 5GB | 5GB | $19 |
Tello 10GB | 10GB | $24 |
Tello Unlimited Data | Unlimited | $29 |
Pros
No contract. No bulk buying.
24/7 friendly customer support
4G LTE/5G nationwide coverage
Free Hotspot & Wi-Fi Calling
Free international calls to 60+ countries
Cons
No roaming
Coverage in rural areas
Best T-Mobile switch deal for 5G
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 4GB
- Price
- $15/mo
Mint Mobile 4GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 4GB data for only $15 per month. Mint Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
Mint Mobile 4GB | 4GB | $15 |
Mint Mobile 10GB | 10GB | $20 |
Mint Mobile 15GB | 15GB | $25 |
Mint Mobile Unlimited Data | Unlimited | $30 |
Pros
Offers the latest phones with 0% finance
Prepay months in bulk for more savings
Reliable network coverage
Works with most GSM phones
Cons
No family plans
Minimum 3 months
Best T-Mobile switch deal for families
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- 10GB
- Price
- $20/mo
Mint Mobile 10GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 10GB data for only $20 per month. Mint Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
Mint Mobile 4GB | 4GB | $15 |
Mint Mobile 10GB | 10GB | $20 |
Mint Mobile 15GB | 15GB | $25 |
Mint Mobile Unlimited Data | Unlimited | $30 |
Pros
Offers the latest phones with 0% finance
Prepay months in bulk for more savings
Reliable network coverage
Works with most GSM phones
Cons
No family plans
Minimum 3 months
Best T-Mobile switch deal for unlimited
- Minutes
- Unlimited
- Texts
- Unlimited
- Data
- Unlimited
- Price
- $12.50/mo** 50% Off First Month
Boost Mobile Unlimited plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and unlimited data for only $12.50 per month. Boost Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network.
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
Boost Mobile 5GB | 5GB | $5* * 66% Off for 3 Months |
Boost Mobile 1GB - 12 Mths | 1GB | $8* * $100 for 1 year service |
Boost Mobile Unlimited Data | Unlimited | $12.50* * 50% Off First Month |
Boost Mobile 15GB | 15GB | $20* * $240 for 1 year service |
Pros
Nationwide coverage on AT&T & T-Mobile
5G & 4G LTE data speeds
Buy online and no credit checks
Bring your own phone
Cheapest unlimited data plan
Cons
No data only plans
Switch to T-Mobile deals
MVNOs are companies like U.S. Mobile, Mint Mobile, and TPO Mobile. These alternative mobile service providers rent space on the major carriers' towers and resell it to you at a lower cost than what you're paying the big guys.
These companies offer several major advantages over the big three carriers.
- Better prices: T-Mobile MVNOs don't have the same massive overhead and marketing costs as the major carriers, so they can sell you a similar service at much lower prices.
- Customised plans: the vast majority of smartphone users don't need unlimited data, yet they pay for it. That's like paying for 100 channels when you're only going to watch 20 of them. MVNOs let you decide what kinds of services - and how much - you need, so you're only paying for what you actually use.
- No contracts: all low-cost carriers offer prepaid plans. If you're unhappy you can leave at any time you want.
- BYOP: Bringing your own phone to a T-Mobile MVNO you can pocket the extra money you'd put into a costly device payment plan. And don't worry, you can keep your number too.
Now that you know how switching to the T-Mobile network by way of an alternative carrier can save you money, let's look at the details of how to do so.
T-Mobile unlimited data plans
| Plan | Data | Monthly Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Magenta | Unlimited | $70 | $840 |
| T-Mobile Magenta Max | Unlimited | $85 | $1,020 |
Cheapest T-Mobile plans
| Carrier | Data | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 1GB plan | 1GB | T-Mobile | $10/mo |
| Boost Mobile 5GB plan | 5GB | T-Mobile | $5/mo** 66% Off for 3 Months |
| Lycamobile 12GB plan | 12GB | T-Mobile | $5/mo** Only $5 for First 3 Months |
| US Mobile 15GB plan | 15GB | T-Mobile | $20/mo* FREE 10-Day Trial |
| Mint Mobile Unlimited plan | Unltd | T-Mobile | $30/mo |
T-Mobile vs Tello comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $492 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unltd* | $70/mo | $840/yr |
| Tello | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $29/mo | $348/yr |
| *Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB | Savings | $41/mo | $492/yr | |
T-Mobile plan features
- 4G LTE and 5G data speeds: Since T-Mobile MVNOs are all powered by the T-Mobile network, you'll pay less without sacrificing speed.
- Unlimited talk and text messaging: Finding a new unlimited plan has never been easier. Virtually all small carriers include unlimited text and calls in their plan options. Compare cheap talk and text plans with or without data.
- International calls to Canada and Mexico: International calling is a must for many people. Luckily MVNOs offer some of the best international phone plans, with free calling to certain countries like Canada and Mexico, and discounted rates on others.
- Multiline discounts: Low-cost carriers also offer some of the cheapest family cell phone plans, with multi-line discounts.
- Wi-Fi calling: This feature is handy when you're out of your service area, allowing you to make calls over the internet instead of on your cellular connection.
- Tethering/hotspot data: Many low-cost carriers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot. Pick an MVNO with the best mobile hotspot plans so you can share your mobile hotspot data with other devices.
- HD video streaming: Just like the big guys, some MVNOs offer HD video streaming and some don't. Read the fine print to find the option you want.
How to switch to T-Mobile
Some aspects of changing your mobile service are the same regardless of your current provider or device. Here are the basic steps:
- Choose a carrier. Some alternative cell carriers are best for heavy data users, some are geared toward light users like senior citizens. You'll want to choose a service that offers the best rates on the features you need. You'll find a list of T-Mobile MVNOs later in this guide.
- Choose a plan. The average smartphone user only goes through about 3GB of data per month. Yet you're likely paying the better part of $80 per month for unlimited data you'll never use. MVNOs give you customization options so that you only pay for what you'll use.
- Get your phone unlocked. If you're bringing a compatible phone to your new carrier you'll need to request an unlock code from your current mobile provider. This will allow you to use your phone on any carrier.
Switch to T-Mobile from Verizon
In order to switch to a T-Mobile MVNO from Verizon, you'll need to make sure your device is compatible. Verizon uses CDMA technology in their phones, which may or may not be compatible with T-Mobile's GSM network. You may be able to bring your LTE device or newer iPhone as some do work on both types of technology. If your existing device won't carry over to your new provider, it is very affordable to buy a pre-owned or refurbished phone.
The nice thing about switching from Verizon is that their devices are not carrier locked. This means that if you do bring your own device, you shouldn't have to deal with asking Verizon to unlock it for use with your new carrier.
Switch to T-Mobile from AT&T
If you're shopping around for a bring your own phone plan, it doesn't get much easier than the switch to the T-Mobile network from AT&T. Both carriers operate on GSM, making it simple to change over in most cases.
Take note, however, AT&T devices are typically carrier locked, which means you'll need to submit a request for them to unlock your phone if you plan to bring it with you.
Switch to T-Mobile phone deals
| Device | Network | Carrier | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A03s | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $9/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $12/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $17/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $19/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $19/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $20/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $21/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $25/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $29/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22+ | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $33/mo |
| Apple iPhone 14 | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $35/mo |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | $37/mo |
Recap
With the rise of these low-cost carriers, there's no longer any reason to pay high rates for data and services you'll never use.
AT&T MVNOs offer the basics you expect like unlimited talk, text and data, even international calling options.
As intimidating as it can feel to change your cell service, an alternative mobile provider is a solid choice that will put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket.
| Carrier | Best for... | Mins | Texts | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Boost Mobile | Cheapest T-Mobile plan | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $15/mo |
 Tello | T-Mobile prepaid deal | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $10/mo |
 Mint Mobile | T-Mobile 5G deal | Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | $15/mo |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile family deal | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $20/mo |
| Boost Mobile | T-Mobile unlimited deal | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $25/mo |
