Ultra Mobile strives to connect people around the globe by offering affordable domestic and international cellular phone services, but unfortunately, the cellular service provider is competing with the likes of other mobile virtual network operators, such as Virgin Mobile, Straight Talk, and Boost Mobile.
What also makes this MVNO also difficult to analyze is the fact that its website is crammed with information. While it's easy to understand that Ultra Mobile offers no-contract plans and reliable wireless service backed by one of the fastest 4G LTE networks, the terms of service, plan features, and the plans themselves are chock full of additional features that are difficult to digest at first glance.
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The good news is that we've compiled the data and composed an article that is easy-to-read and understand. With this guide, you'll find important information regarding the Ultra Mobile cell phone plans, including the unlimited international calling plans, phones (including Android phones), customer service, and more.
Finally, we'll direct you to our cell phone plan comparison tool, which should hopefully help you decide as to whether or not the available Ultra Mobile cell phone plans are right for you.
In This Guide
Compare Ultra Mobile Plans
Ultra Mobile offers monthly and multi-month prepay plans. Each of the wireless carrier's monthly plans comes with unlimited calling to the United States and either over 30 or 60 countries including Australia, France, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Only a couple of unlimited talk and text plans grant you access to unlimited calling in over 30 countries, but if the 30 countries are more than enough for you, then you'll be able to save some money. In addition, each plan includes unlimited domestic and global texting, an international roaming credit--the amount depends on the plan you choose, and data access, ranging from 100MB to 5GB. Unlimited talk and text to over 60 countries are enticing enough if you have family and friends in other countries.
Nevertheless, if you require much in the way of data, the T-Mobile network-based cellular service provider doesn't offer unlimited high-speed plans. Instead, you receive access to an allotment of 4G LTE data, meaning LTE speeds. However, a unique feature of Ultra Mobile is it gives you the choice of how fast you want to access online tools through its Data My Way option.
With this feature, you can choose the connection speeds you want. To demonstrate, if you want to stream video or music you can leave the default setting of optimized speed. Meanwhile, when checking your email and doing other activities that require less speed, you can select the Super Saver Option which has maximum network speeds of 1024 kbps. By selecting a lower setting, you won't run out of your LTE speed data as quickly when doing activities that don't require fast connection speeds.
Read: Ultra Mobile Customer Reviews
Ultra Mobile Wireless Plans
This T-Mobile MVNO has multi-month prepay plans available as well. These are perfect if you don't use your phone much for accessing online tools, and instead, rely on it for talk and text. There are three plans available in this segment including a three, six and 12-month option. The best cost savings comes by purchasing the annual plan, where you will pay less than $20 each month for service. With each of these plans, you receive the following benefits:
- Unlimited talk in the United States and to more than 60 countries (can't beat unlimited international calling)
- 1GB of 4G LTE data
- Unlimited global text
- $10.00 of rollover roaming credit
- 1,000 minutes of free talk-time to over 10 destinations
- $2.50 anywhere call credit
You can buy each of these no-contract plans in full at Ultra Mobile's website or by purchasing a service card at one of its many participating retailers. To find a retailer near you visit its website and choose the store locator link at the bottom of the homepage.
What Phones are Available with Ultra Mobile?
Ultra Mobile's phone inventory isn't the most extensive. In fact, it has four devices, both Android phones and iPhones, for sale on its website. You can choose a newer model like the Apple iPhone SE, a later model such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 or more affordable options from BLU. Both of BLU's phones are under $100.
The limitations in phone offerings are concerning when comparing Ultra Mobile to other prepaid wireless carriers, who possess many more models in their inventory. If you don't mind the limited offerings then it's not a big deal, but if you are like many and crave variety, choosing Ultra Mobile will be problematic in this regard.
Do note that if you're unhappy with the selection, you can always bring your own GSM phone to the service.
Phone Insurance
It doesn't come as a surprise you cannot buy phone insurance through Ultra Mobile. If this is a necessity, you can go to an insurance provider to receive this protection. Our cell phone insurance guide can help you determine whether or not you need it.
SIM Card
Because Ultra Mobile uses the GSM network (T-Mobile is a GSM network), you will need a SIM card to activate service. You can purchase a SIM card on its website or through a partnered retailer. If you decide to use your unlocked GSM device for Ultra Mobile service, it's important to have the correct size SIM card for your phone.
It's also important to note that you can port your phone number to Ultra Mobile.
Compare: Find a cheap Ultra Mobile SIM Card
Service Coverage
As mentioned in the introduction of this guide, Ultra Mobile's coverage, revealed in its coverage map, is backed by the T-Mobile network.
What exactly does this mean? Well, like Straight Talk, you'll receive top-tier wireless service in urban areas, but the coverage may be undesirable in more rural locations, as the overall GSM network may be a little bit on the spotty side.
Related: You can use our coverage maps to find out if T-Mobile covers where you live.
Deals, Discounts & Promotions
Ultra Mobile doesn't do much in the way of discounts and promotions. The most effective way to save money with its services if you don't use much data is to do a multi-month plan. With this, you receive access to all of Ultra Mobile's features with a lower monthly price.
Customer Service
Customers who have used Ultra Mobile don't have many nice things to say. The most common problems identified were poor data connection speeds, customers failing to receive items they ordered, and most concerning, rude customer service.
At the same time, it appears the provider is making an effort to change things. Under every negative review was a reply from the company asking the customer to reach out to it. In addition, the live chat feature was easy to use. There are also phone number and email contact options you can use to have your questions addressed.
How to Change Your APN Settings
If you're bringing a used phone to Ultra Mobile, you'll most likely need to change your APN settings. View the APN Settings for Ultra Mobile here.
Recap
The provider does offer some of the best international features available. Furthermore, with low monthly and multi-monthly plans available, its services will appeal to the budget conscious.
At the same time, the limited selection of phones and the poor customer service indicate there are better no-contract options available. If the thought of poor customer service doesn't exactly thrill you, you might want to consider alternatives such as Virgin Mobile, Republic Wireless (Republic Wireless also has one of the cheapest cell phone plans available on the MVNO market), Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, or even the Sprint Network.
Remember, when choosing a cheap cell phone plan, it's always best to compare deals from multiple low-cost carriers.
