Consumer Cellular is a wireless service provider that sells prepaid plans. It has an extensive selection of mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, and offers flexible plans that are perfect for individuals or families who need to control their monthly expenses.
Consumer Cellular offers monthly, and pay-as-you-go plans, but the majority of their customers are on the $25/month plan. It uses AT&T’s network for voice coverage and LTE data coverage in most areas.
The company has been around since 1999, so they’ve had lots of time to improve their craft! They also have one of the best customer satisfaction rates among all carriers in America. So what carrier does Consumer Cellular use? That would be AT&T.
What Carrier Does Consumer Cellular Use?
This means that Consumer Cellular customers receive the same network coverage as AT&T. Both offer voice and 4G LTE data, and consumer Cellular even offers international roaming at $5/day. Most customers choose to activate a SIM card on their existing number, but it is also possible to bring an unlocked GSM device or buy one directly from Consumer Cellular.
Two of the most popular and affordable smartphones of Consumer Cellular are the Moto E4 and Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro 4G LTE. These devices offer the same features as AT&T’s network but without contractual obligations or expensive monthly plans. You can purchase either device directly from their website at http://www.consumercellular.com/.
All you have to do is pick a plan that works for your family and activate it using a SIM card or bring over an unlocked GSM phone! They also carry accessories such as cases, screen protectors, wireless chargers, headphones, power banks, speakers, and more! Their online store offers everything you could ever need to stay connected with friends, family, a significant other, or even your job.
For those who would rather have a smartphone and pay for service over time, Consumer Cellular offers 24-month financing. This means you can get an unlocked phone that will work on any carrier of your choice, then sign up for the plan that works best Consumer Cellular plans for seniors with no long-term commitment!
Consumer Cellular offers monthly plans starting at $17.50/mo, including 750 minutes, unlimited texts, and 250MB of data. The plan goes up to $45/mo, including unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data.
1. Consumer Cellular uses the T-Mobile network
T-Mobile is one of the largest carriers in America and offers prepaid, postpaid, and business plans. T-Mobile has always been known for its simple but effective plans while also offering some of the most affordable smartphones. They use either T-Mobile or AT&T networks depending on coverage area for all of their products.
They offer a wide variety of prepaid plans with data options from 1GB/mo to unlimited data. T-Mobile also manages a monthly “uncarrier” promotion which gives users huge discounts when they sign up for autopay service or add another line to their account.
The devices that work best with T-Mobile have unlocked GSM phones like OnePlus, Moto, Samsung, or Apple iPhones. They also carry several low-cost prepaid smartphones from BLU like Studio X, Studio C, and Vivo 5 . Customers who activate their SIM cards on T-Mobile receive full LTE data speeds.
In addition, T-Mobile’s mobile hotspot/tethering plans are very generous, with 30GB/mo high-speed usage. This is perfect for those who use their phone as a wireless modem at home or traveling out of the country!
Unlocked GSM phones can be purchased directly from Consumer Cellular at http://www.consumercellular.com/. All you have to do is pick your plan and activate it using an existing number or bring over a SIM card on another carrier such as AT&T, T-Mobile, or Cricket. If you have phones that are compatible with Consumer Cellular service on another carrier, both can be used simultaneously!
Consumer Cellular offers monthly plans for those who prefer locked devices starting at $15/mo, including unlimited talk and text with 1GB of data. The plan goes up to $60/mo, including Unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of LTE data.
2. Consumer Cellular uses the AT&T network
AT&T has always been one of the largest carriers in America, with over 130 million users in the US alone as of 2016. Like Verizon Wireless, AT&T provides credit check financing for smartphones it sells directly, so they have some of the most affordable pricing around.
They also work closely with Straight Talk Wireless so you can activate their SIM card with AT&T and enjoy a reasonable $45/mo unlimited talk, text, and LTE data connection.
AT&T has recently restructured its prepaid plans to offer more data for users who need it at a lower monthly cost than before. Their new starter plan includes 1GB of high-speed data then an unlimited throttled mobile hotspot after that for either $30/mo or $60/mo, depending on the phone they choose. In addition, their new “GoPhone” plans include free nights and weekends starting at 12 AM to 6 AM, along with their included data allowance!
They also carry several smartphones, including the Moto G4, ZTE BLADE Spark, LG Volt 2, and the Apple iPhone 6s! AT&T’s LTE coverage is generally good, but drivers can expect service to be a little spotty in rural areas compared with Verizon or Sprint.
The unlocked devices that work best with AT&T are GSM phones like OnePlus, Moto, Samsung, and Apple iPhones. The SIM cards for AT&T are also compatible with most prepaid plans from retailers such as Walmart. If you go this route, make sure the phone is not locked to another carrier before purchasing it!
Customers who activate their SIM cards on AT&T receive full LTE data speeds. In addition, AT&T’s plans for mobile hotspot/tethering are very generous with 50GB/mo high-speed usage. This is perfect for those who use their phone as a wireless modem at home or traveling out of the country!
3. Consumer Cellular uses the Straight Talk
Straight Talk Wireless is Sprint’s prepaid carrier which uses its network along with Walmart and Target. You can bring over an existing number to Straight Talk from other providers like Verizon, but they also have doors open for new customers. Their starter plan includes Unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of LTE data ALL FOR JUST $30/mo (employer discount available)!
In addition, Straight Talk Wireless offers many different higher-speed plans depending on your needs. The lowest level hotspot add-on includes 5GB high-speed tethering before throttling occurs for $10/mo, while their most expensive plan gives ten full-speed tethering per month for $55/mo.
Straight Talk Wireless runs on the Sprint network, which offers excellent coverage in most of America. Still, as mentioned before, it can be a little lackluster in rural areas compared to AT&T or Verizon.
The best-unlocked devices that work well with Straight Talk are iPhones and some mid-range Android phones like the Moto G4. The SIM cards sold at Walmart or Target can be used with any unlocked phone, but if you choose to buy an iPhone at a total price from Apple.com, please note that you must activate it within 15 days online!
4. Consumer Cellular uses the TracFone
TracFone Wireless is America’s largest MVNO which resells service from all the major carriers in America. With over 24 million users, TracFone Wireless has more experience and infrastructure than any other MVNO.
They offer some of the lowest-priced plans at $9.99/mo for 300 minutes, 500 texts, and 30MB of data available in increments of 60 or 90 days (unlimited). You can also add their “Double Minutes” for life offer to your plan for an extra dollar per month!
All this said, starting this fall, you’ll be able to bring your phone to the Tracfone network with specific hotspot-enabled telephones like the Moto E4 Plus and ZTE ZMax Pro. The best-unlocked devices that work well with TracFone are devices like iPhones and other Android phones.
If you buy a SIM card from Walmart, it must be activated within 120 days online or by calling 1-800-867-7183. Also, your phone MUST BE UNLOCKED if you want to use it with another carrier such as AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon after that time expires!
That’s all I have on MVNOs for now but stay tuned for the next article where we’ll cover all of America’s major carriers in detail, including their coverage, hotspot data limits, and much more! I hope this was helpful!
What special features does Consumer Cellular offer?
Consumer Cellular is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that offers no-contract cell phone plans to consumers for $25/mo or more minor. With their plans, you get nationwide coverage with no contract and no overages.
When Consumer Cellular launched in 1993, they operated exclusively online, delivering 15 million minutes of talk time that year alone! Consumer Cellular has been an online-only provider for the majority of its existence. In recent years they expanded to retail stores but still maintain a significant online presence as well.
Final Verdict
Consumer Cellular is a carrier that offers affordable and reliable service across the United States. It’s perfect for people who want to keep their monthly bills low but still need good coverage throughout America, including rural areas.
In addition, Consumer Cellular doesn’t require contracts or credit checks, so you can sign up with them at any time without worrying about high penalties if you cancel early on in your contract period.