You may have seen those TV commercials for phone companies offering coverage just as good as the big guys but for a much smaller cost. It seems too good to be true, but these alternate carriers are popping up more and more now so there must be something to it, right? 🤔
The technical term for them is mobile virtual network operator (or MVNO), but let’s think of it as an alternative budget carrier that borrows one of the Big 3 networks (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile). 📱
Many of these carriers are independent but some of them are actually owned by the Big 3 and just intended to target budget-conscious customers. Let’s take a look at one of them – Visible, owned by Verizon – in a bit more detail to see if this is something that might take a smaller chunk out of your Paycheck every month!
Here are Five Fast Facts about alternative budget carriers:
- 📱 Phones - Verizon supports pretty much all phones from all major manufacturers on the market, other than some of the more obscure low-cost models or phones made internationally. Visible has a much smaller list of supported phones that changes often. You can buy phones through Visible or bring your own (if it’s compatible, which you can check on their website). At this time, most of the latest flagship phones are supported, along with a handful of models from the last year or two. No late adopters here!
- 📝 Plans - Visible offers two plans, both with unlimited data and no contracts (the more expensive plan has some extra international features and faster data speeds). Verizon has a lot more options, bundles with streaming services, family plans, and some of the best coverage across the country of any provider. It’s a buffet rather than a single plate.
- 🕸️ Networks - Visible uses Verizon’s 5G and LTE networks, so there’s no difference there. However, Verizon reserves the right to downgrade Visible’s data speeds in times of high traffic. Verizon users also get connectivity to older (3G) networks or roaming in poor coverage areas, but Visible users don’t.
- 💨 Data Speeds - Since they use the same networks, the data speeds are the same…at least theoretically. Some reviews say that Visible speeds were technically slower even outside of high traffic throttling. But speeds always depend on your individual location, device, and other factors, and it seems that they are still good enough to watch videos or play games without major issues. Can’t have an interruption in Clash of Clans, now, can we?
- 💰 Costs - Here’s where Visible really shines. Visible’s two plans are $30 and $45 per month. Verizon has some barebones plans starting around $30 per line, but they don’t include unlimited data (at any speed). Even when bundled with multiple line discounts, most of Verizon’s plans are 2-3 times higher than Visible.
🔥Bottom line: It should be noted that Visible doesn’t have support available by phone or retail locations - everything is done through their app. Most reviews speak pretty highly of it, but it’s something to be aware of if you like more direct contact.
Verizon isn’t alone in the budget carrier space. T-Mobile’s Metro is the same idea, as is Google Fi, and many others that are independent (or regional). Each one has different variations, but the general idea is the same: stripped down core services at rock bottom prices. If this concept works for you, and if you have the coverage and compatible device, you could save yourself a bundle of money every month by switching to one of these budget alternatives.
Do you know anyone using an alternative budget carrier?
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