Start Here / Provider index
Provider index
The US network & provider directory
Nineteen provider guides, grouped by service relationship. Infrastructure, account management and plan rules are different parts of the picture.
| Provider | Service relationship | Start with this distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Major network operators | ||
| AT&T ↗ | Major network operator | AT&T provides wireless and home internet services. Understanding the boundary between airtime, a phone installment and home connectivity helps avoid surprises when one part changes. |
| T-Mobile ↗ | Major network operator | T-Mobile operates a US wireless network and offers mobile and home-internet services. Current product terms, the individual line and the device determine which features work. |
| Verizon ↗ | Major network operator | Verizon operates a nationwide wireless network. Its own mobile service, prepaid brands and home internet products have different terms even when they share infrastructure. |
| Legacy / transition | ||
| UScellular ↗ | Legacy service in transition | T-Mobile completed its acquisition of UScellular's wireless operations on August 1, 2025. This guide treats UScellular as a legacy service in transition, not an unrelated fourth nationwide network owner. |
| Hybrid-network service | ||
| Boost Mobile ↗ | Hybrid-network wireless provider | Boost is an EchoStar wireless brand. EchoStar announced a hybrid model combining its mobile core with AT&T radio access in 2025; older descriptions of Boost's network can therefore mislead. |
| Alternative & prepaid service providers | ||
| Consumer Cellular ↗ | Alternative wireless provider | Consumer Cellular offers wireless service and devices through its own account; its official support includes AT&T-network device configuration. Its BYOD and eSIM processes should be checked directly instead of assuming every unlocked handset is supported. |
| Cricket Wireless ↗ | AT&T-network prepaid service | Cricket uses AT&T's network but offers its own prepaid plans and customer account. Being on AT&T infrastructure does not make every AT&T plan benefit a Cricket benefit. |
| Google Fi Wireless ↗ | Alternative wireless provider | Google Fi Wireless is Google's mobile service, using T-Mobile for its nationwide US network coverage. It should be evaluated by the current Fi plan and supported device, not confused with Google Fiber or a generic travel eSIM. |
| Metro by T-Mobile ↗ | T-Mobile-network prepaid service | Metro is T-Mobile's prepaid service brand. Its plans, activation requirements and account processes should be read as Metro products rather than assumed to match T-Mobile postpaid. |
| Mint Mobile ↗ | Prepaid alternative wireless provider | Mint uses T-Mobile's underlying network and sells mobile service through multi-month prepayment. It also offers Home MINTernet, a separate fixed-wireless product, so mobile and home decisions need distinct checks. |
| Red Pocket Mobile ↗ | Multi-network alternative provider | Red Pocket offers service options associated with underlying networks. Its GSMA help describes AT&T-compatible service; the chosen profile affects compatibility and plan details. |
| Simple Mobile ↗ | Verizon-network prepaid service | Simple Mobile's current support information identifies Verizon as its network. Older descriptions of the brand can refer to a previous arrangement and should not drive a new activation. |
| Spectrum Mobile ↗ | Cable-associated wireless provider | Spectrum Mobile is Charter's wireless offering. Charter has published a Verizon MVNO relationship. The mobile account, cellular access and a Spectrum home-internet subscription are distinct parts of the service. |
| Straight Talk ↗ | Verizon-family prepaid service | Straight Talk is a prepaid wireless brand in Verizon's family. Its activation options include phones and other devices; older SIM arrangements should not be assumed to describe every current line. |
| Ting Mobile ↗ | Alternative wireless provider | Ting Mobile offers wireless service with current physical SIM and eSIM options. Network arrangements and legacy account cohorts should be checked directly for the particular line. |
| Total Wireless ↗ | Verizon-network prepaid service | Total Wireless offers prepaid service on Verizon's network. Its official activation flow distinguishes phones from categories such as tablets, hotspots and home internet. |
| Tracfone ↗ | Verizon-family prepaid service | Tracfone offers prepaid wireless service, including products with different allowance and renewal structures. Its current Freedom Unlimited offering is described as using Verizon's network. |
| Visible ↗ | Verizon-network prepaid service | Visible uses Verizon's network and offers prepaid wireless service. Its own plan rules, support arrangements and hotspot treatment must be checked independently of Verizon's retail plans. |
| Xfinity Mobile ↗ | Cable-associated wireless provider | Xfinity Mobile is Comcast's wireless service, combining cellular access with Wi-Fi connectivity. Comcast has published a Verizon MVNO relationship; the Xfinity Internet link and current terms for the individual line still need checking. |
Why UScellular and Boost have separate categories
UScellular’s wireless operations were acquired by T-Mobile. Boost’s hybrid network arrangements need a more specific description than a simple independent nationwide radio-network label. Read their guides for sources and account-specific checks.