While fewer in number compared to other big name carriers, Verizon MVNOs - or mobile virtual network operators - do exist. However, these alternative carriers, lease coverage from Verizon, meaning immense reliability and coverage for your phone.
MVNOs are a great alternative to the traditional Big Four because they often offer the same reliable service as the carriers they buy network space from at a lower rate. Essentially, they are cell phone companies who buy or lease data and minutes from larger carriers like Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon Wireless.
There is a trade-off, however. Some MVNOs won't offer the latest phones, unlimited data, or have neat bonuses that the Big Four can provide. If you're on a budget, or just need a cheap cell phone plan for light to moderate use, you should look into the MVNOs available to you.
Verizon MVNO BYOP Requirements
If you want to switch to a Verizon MVNO and have a cell phone to bring to the service, you should ensure that your phone is compatible with the following frequencies:
- 3G: 800Mhz (BC0), 1900Mhz (BC1)
- LTE: 700Mhz (Band 13), 1700/2100Mhz (Band 4), 1900Mhz (Band 2)
List of the Best Verizon MVNOs
In this guide, you'll find several Verizon MVNO options - Red Pocket Mobile, ROK Mobile, Straight Talk, Total Wireless, CREDO Mobile, TracFone, Net10, Page Plus, and GreatCall - that you can consider, complete with a short description of each.
Red Pocket Mobile
Like any other MVNO out there, Red Pocket Mobile sports no-contract plans. These plans, however, lasts only for 30 days. If you're in need of data access, then you'll be pleased to know that you can purchase plans ranging between 1GB and 5GB of 4G LTE data. You can also purchase data plans from the carrier, though there are only two data-only plans available - 2GB and 5GB plans.
Red Pocket Mobile also provides device-specific prepay plans to its customers. However, you'll be required to visit the official store site and select the applicable network that corresponds with your mobile phone. For instance, if you have an unlocked AT&T device, you'll want to select the GSMA option. Furthermore, with the monthly plans, you'll be able to utilize free tethering service.
ROK Mobile
ROK Mobile is a Verizon and Sprint-based MVNO. What makes the MVNO so unique is the fact that - with your prepaid plan, you can receive extensive insurance coverage. For instance, the Standard Life plan includes roadside assistance, accidental death insurance with up to a $100,000 benefit, and $20,000 for burial or cremation insurance. Of course, there are other insurance plans that coincide with ROK Mobile's plans.
ROK Mobile's plans range between 500MB to 5GB in size.
CREDO Mobile
Want to make a difference in the world? You can, thanks to CREDO Mobile. CREDO Mobile's cell phone plans range between 25MB of data (if you have a basic phone, anyway) to 10GB of shared data. With the smartphone plans, you'll be able to take advantage of unlimited talk, unlimited text, and unlimited mobile hotspot.
CREDO Mobile also allows you to combine five lines on each account. If you decide to group together for a single plan, then you'll be able to split the data allotment between all of the lines on the account.
Net10
Net10, which belongs to parent company TracFone Wireless, offers many plans that include the money-saving Auto-Refill feature, 30 days of unlimited talk and text, and high-speed data access.
As far as data goes, plans range between 500MB and 10GB. Unique to Net10 are the phone upgrade options - you'll be able to upgrade your phone at a discount after you collect a certain amount of points. The plans, however, are specific, meaning that only phone upgrade plans will grant you the points necessary to earn a phone upgrade discount. These specific plans come complete with 30 days of unlimited talk and text as well as data access. The plans range between 5GB and 100 International Minutes (1 point) to 5GB and 200 International Minutes (3 points).
Page Plus
Page Plus features a wide variety of plans suitable for many budget types, though it's one of the many MVNOs that does not carry an unlimited data plan. With that being said, you still have the option of unlimited talk and text with high-speed data. Plans range between 250 minutes, 250 texts, and 10MB of data and unlimited calling, unlimited national and international texting, and 10GB of high-speed data.
Page Plus also offers annual pay as you go plans, with one plan being yearly. By the by, the yearly plan grants you 2000 minutes of calling.
GreatCall
GreatCall is an MVNO that focuses on a particular demographic - senior citizens. What's unique to GreatCall are the phones that the service offers. There are two phones brought to you by GreatCall that are perfect for the hard-of-hearing and/or sight-impaired - the Jitterbug Smart and the Jitterbug Flip.
These phones and plans come equipped with health and safety services to protect you in the event that you suffer from a health incident. Heath and Safety Packages range from between 50 and 2000 minutes, 300 and 2500 texts, and 40MB and 2.5GB of monthly data. Some of what is included in the Health and Safety services are 5Star Urgent Response, a Medication Coach, a once-a-week wellness expert call, daily health tips, a check-in call, and brain games.
Total Wireless
Total Wireless is another MVNO that offers versatile phone plans and devices. What is somewhat unique to Total Wireless is the idea that you can customize its pay as you go plans, making it a fantastic option for those who are on a budget or on the go.
Each no-contract plan comes equipped with unlimited talk and text. Furthermore, the single-line plans range between unlimited talk and text and 5GB of high-speed data. There is also a set of shared family plans to consider, ranging from 8GB to 15GB.
You can also purchase specific add-on packages, such as Add-On Carryover data and Global Calling.
Straight Talk
One of the biggest names in MVNO services, the Wal-Mart-distributed Straight Talk leases from all four major cellular providers. That's right, we're talking Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.
For monthly options, you can select plans that run between 100MB and 10GB of high-speed data. There are also international options to contemplate over, such as the Global Calling add-on. Unfortunately, there is no true unlimited plan - the highest amount of high-speed data that you can purchase with Straight Talk is 10GB.
TracFone
TracFone is one of the largest prepaid carriers in the nation, especially since it owns a large number of subsidiary MVNOs like Straight Talk and Net10.
TracFone offers two types of plans - monthly value plans and pay-as-you-go plans. TracFone's individual value plans range from 50 minutes to 200 minutes, which are rather pricey in comparison to quite a few other carriers. Not only do the plans include nationwide coverage but also a carryover function.
Then we have pay-as-you-go, which is a perfect option if you're traveling and don't rely on your mobile device often. The basic phone plans range between 60 minutes for 30 service days to 3000 minutes for 365 service days. However, as far as smartphone pay-as-you-go phone plans go, your selection ranges from the 30-day plan that includes 200 minutes 500 texts, and 200MB of data to the yearly plan that includes 1500 minutes, 1500 texts, and 1.5GB of data.
Even More Verizon MVNOs
Below is a growing list of more MVNOs that purchase or lease data from the Verizon network. While they haven't earned a spot on our top picks, they're worth taking a look if you are determined to find the perfect cell phone plan for you.
Recap
Overall, there are plenty of Verizon MVNOs out there; you just need to look for them! Before you choose your most suited MVNO, just be sure to read the reviews and gather as much information as possible regarding the provider. For even more information, check out our cell phone plan comparison table.