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Phone bills are a nagging monthly budget line item that is, unfortunately, a necessity. We all know we need a cell phone, but sometimes the plans can be outrageously expensive. The largest network providers will try to lure you in with short-lived discounts or free phones, only to find your bill has skyrocketed when the promotion ends. Luckily some great cheap providers for cell phone service offer expansive networks, all while keeping your monthly bill low.
Below we will talk about three of the best out there right now: Mint, Tello, and Cricket.
How they Cut Costs
Most cheap cell phone providers, including the three we picked, our known as mobile virtual network operators of MVNOs. This means that they rent access to the cell phone towers of larger carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. This lets them provide the same coverage as major networks without the cost.
#1 Mint
Offering both individual and family plans, Mint Mobile is well known for excellent 5G coverage and compatibility with various phones from other networks. This means you can likely bring your phone from your old network. No worries if your phone is incompatible, though, or you are just ready for an upgrade! They always offer great deals on new phones that can be purchased in full, or you can even pay monthly by adding to your service.
With plans as low as $15 per month for three months with unlimited talk and text, they are affordable and provide excellent service. Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s extended network. So if you have good coverage by T-Mobile in your area but don’t need the perks that come with its higher price tag, Mint is a good alternative. Mint also allows you to purchase bulk plans in 6 and 12-month packages. The more you buy, the more money you save.
I could not be happier with Mint. They are the most affordable and reliable carrier. $30 is a sweet deal for unlimited voice and internet. I love that they ha e a great app and you can ma age everything online. I recently lost my simcard, I went to the app and the next day the simcard arrived to my mailbox. Amazing. Thanks Mint! Carlos Cabrera
Trustpilot Review
I see a lot of negative about mint mobile but my experience has been nothing but great ,they have saved me over $360 a year I get better coverage better service and now my phone actually has 5G on it. overall I’m super happy with the service all I can say is it just works!! Kyle
Trustpilot Review
#2 Tello
Tello is the ideal phone provider if you want to build your plan to your desired specifications. They let you customize the data, talk minutes, and text that is right for you. With crazy affordable phones starting at $79 and the ability to bring your own phone, you get consistent coverage, all with no contract and no fees. Plans at Tello start at just $5 a month, making it one of the most affordable out there.
One of the wonderful things about Tello is that you can reconfigure your plan at any time. If your lifestyle or circumstances change, you can add or subtract features until the plan is customized to exactly your needs and budget. Tello is run on T-Mobile’s nationwide network, so if you have good coverage why not give it a try and cut your bill in half?
New
Fine service, good pricing, no hastle and reliable phone usage. What more could one ask for. Gary Dobkins
I recently switched my number to tello from another carrier, tello made it quick and easy. I would definitely recommend tello to anyone searching for a great, reliable, and affordable phone service. Tyler
Trustpilot Review
#3 Cricket
Are you looking for multiple lines and a simple plan that doesn’t complicate things? Then Cricket may be just the cheap phone provider you are looking for. More lines equal more savings, and this carrier has no credit checks or annual contracts. With an extensive coverage map and Canada & Mexico included in select plans, you can feel confident you have service almost anywhere. Cricket runs off of AT&T’s towers so you know that you’ll get excellent coverage. Starting at $30 a month, there is a plan out there for everyone.
Cricket also offers exclusive plans that give you free phones if you bring your number and activate plans at specific price points. It makes upgrading to a new phone easy on your wallet. Other savings are available if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Love it! My family and I have tried all wireless companies from contract to prepay. Once we found Cricket, we’ve never been happier. We always have the best service, clear calls, no drop in signal, and we actually get what we pay for. Where we live in the country is hard to get a good service, but with Cricket there are no more problems. We’ve been with them for about 7 years now and dont plan on leaving. 🙂 Bea
If you’ve decided it’s time to cut down on your expensive phone bills, the three providers above are a great place to start looking. With fantastic service coverage and a great price, you can save money and have reliable cell service.
You don’t have to sacrifice a quality provider to keep your phone budget low!
