Which Carrier Offers the Cheapest Wireless Plan?
If you are looking for a cheap plan- something that is just enough for you to use your phone to place calls and send text messages with no using much data, then you could turn to carriers like Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T Mobile, Wells Fargo, AMC entertainment, and Ford Motor.
The four leading carriers in the US always claim their prices are excellent and fair. For this article, we will focus on the cheapest carrier deals offered by the major four and other low-cost wireless carriers, in case you are tired of the four. Well, examining the cheapest phone carrier, it is essential to note that raw dollars are not the only feature to consider when looking at every carrier’s postpaid option.
For instance, the fact that T-Mobile does not charge overages; however, instead slows down consumers down when they overreach their data allotment, is worth putting into consideration, especially if you are looking for a low-cost plan.
Here is a look at what every carrier has to provide. It does not matter if you have your own phone or buy the cheapest smartphone for each one offers.
Which phone service is the cheapest?
Which phone carrier is cheapest?
There are many alternatives beyond the big four phone carriers in the United States in case you are looking to save money. In this section, we will center on the big four cheap deals that will not crack your pocket.
AT&T mobile plans
AT&T offers the iPhone 4s at a charge of $99 as its lowest-priced smartphone. The model may not be current, and it does not have LTE technology. However, it still provides the ability to use a variety of apps and Siri voice assistant.
While AT&T offers installment plans on pricier models, and it charges a $20 activation fee. The organization does provide phone insurance for $7 per month. However, that appears like a small add on for a $99 phone.
When it comes to service, the least AT&T plan costs $45 for unlimited talk and text, and a paltry 300 MB of data. The organization breaks down the $45 into a $25 plan charge and a $20 access charge, even though both are mandatory. The plan also has a significant shortcoming; overages cost $20 for every 300 MB on $300 MB plans compared to $15 for every 1GB on all other plans inclusive of the next tier, the $55 2GB plan. The best part of this plan while the $20 activation fee is noted on the phone purchase page; it does not show on the last bill.
In case you should select to bring your own device, AT&T provides the same $45 per month 300 MB plan with the same overage charges.
Sprint cheap deals
Besides, selling customers a cheap phone outright, Sprint will also sell one to them on a yearly installment plan. It provides two low end but serviceable Android phones for either $5 a month for two years or $120 upfront, even though financing needs whatever the carrier considers good credit so as to qualify.
The cheapest end plan offers unlimited text and talks, together with 1GB of data, for $20. Further, it offers a monthly access charge of $20, and the total comes to $40 per month in case you want to have the phone and use it. Mechanically, Sprint charges a $30 activation fee but is presently waiving it as part of a promotion which could end before long. It also comes with extra high-speed data, which cost $15 for 1GB. However, Sprint does not charge overages for this plan; instead, it slows customers to 2G speeds after they use up their data.
Sprint charges the same $40, on a BYOD a month and is also waiving the activation fee. However, the company does not make it easy to understand. Sprint’ self-service options all need choosing a phone, so bring your own, you will need to interact with a customer service person.
T-Mobile mobile plans
Unlike AT&T and Sprint, T-Mobile makes it very clear that its charges are the same if you buy a phone or bring your own. In case you want a phone, T-Mobile offers an entry-level, off-brand Android model that costs $49.99 but needs a $20 SIM kit, for a total cost of $69.99. Phones can be bought outright or purchased in installments for twenty-four months.
The cheapest end T-Mobile plan is not actually all that cheap. It provides the same unlimited calling and texting as anyone else, but for $50. It also offers high-speed data of 2GB, but it does not charge overages after that. For the Sprint plan, when customers exceed their limit, they have the alternative to either purchase more high-speed data or end the billing period at slower speeds.
On this tier, T-Mobile does enable access to its Music Freedom service, which allows subscribers to listen to music from T-mobile partners and does not count against their data cap. Customers would require more costly 3 GB plan, however, to gain access to Binge On, the carrier’s alike video streaming service.
Verizon deals
The cheapest Verizon plan begins at $30 for 1GB. However, customers also have to pay a $20 line access fee for a monthly plan charge of $50. Overage fees a straightforward $15 for extra 1GB and plans cost the same whether customers purchase a phone device orc come with their own device.
Verizon provides a variety of LG for phones for $120, which it will sell consumers finance over two years or outright. Besides Verizon waives its phone activation fee for online orders.
Comparison of the four leading carriers deals
None of the main phone carriers increases prices for users who bring their devices. Besides, even though most carriers make some mention of setup or activation fees, these are waived for online buyers. Let’s look at the table below to compare the leading wireless carriers deals.
| Carrier | Data | Fees | Phones | Overages | Monthly Cost |
| Verizon | 1GB | NONE | $120 | $15/GB | $50 |
| T-Mobile | 2GB | NONE | $69.99 | NA* | $50 |
| Sprint | 1 GB | NONE | $120 | NA* | $40 |
| AT$T | 300MB | NONE | $99 | $20/300 MB | $45 |
When it comes to monthly charges, Sprint appears to the best. AT&T comes second; however, its plan is only suitable for people who do not need to use data, since the overage charges will pile up rapidly at $20 for every $300 MB. It is possibly fair to ignore Verizon’s offer, looking at the comparatively high cost and risk of overages. T-Mobile plan may be worth the additional money since it comes with double the data of Sprint’s $10 lowest offer- and the data rolls over from month to month in case it is not used.
Sprint is the best when it comes to price, and it does not have an overage charge, which helps to avoid budget surprises at the end of the month. In case you do not mind spending an additional $10, you can consider T-Mobile since it has extra data allowance, and unlimited music streaming.
Sprint, which is attempting to consolidate with T-Mobile, has basically been the cheapest phone carrier. Nonetheless, its deals can be confusing; some only last for a limited time, whereas others lock you into keeping an older phone or come with limitations you may not desire. This happens to other major wireless carriers, which makes it hard for users to know which one to use. It is possible, however, to use one of the big four. You can opt for a second-tier carrier providing prepaid wireless tiers that can save you some money. However, there are some catches, and making the switch may not be right for every consumer.
