Cell Phone Providers Blog and Resources

Too many of us are giving our business to cell phone carriers that aren’t adequately serving us. But let’s face it: sometimes it feels easier to stick with the status quo, even if it’s detrimental to our wallets or our lifestyle. Change can require time and effort. Luckily, with this list, we’ve made it easy for you to pinpoint the particular issues you may be facing —  and we give you the tools you need to pursue the cell phone carrier that works for your unique situation. So what are the signs that it’s time to switch carriers? 1. You feel trapped, ripped off, or generally unsatisfied  via GIPHY Unfortunately, many people are locked into a contract they wish they could escape. Anna Miran of MightyCall aptly describes long-term, expensive-to-break contracts as “literally the worst thing in the industry. Once a company locks you in, they lose incentive to keep you happy and provide the best service they can.” If this situation describes you, you have some options: Break the contract and pay up Switch to a non-contract carrier that will pay off your early termination fee Wait until your contract is up before you skedaddle Whatever you do, definitely shop around for a prepaid or postpaid month-to-month carrier that offers flexibility. Andrew Moore-Crispin of Ting Mobile explains, “Life can be very fluid. You shouldn’t have to worry about fees and penalties should you land a job that provides a phone or takes you abroad.” Ting actually gives you your first month free and charges you only for the data, texts, and minutes you use each month. 2. Your phone is operating at sloth speeds via GIPHY Do you often wait several seconds to upload, download, or access something on your phone? Among other factors, a number of issues might be at play: The file size is just really big You’re in a remote area with limited network connectivity You need to disable apps slowing you down or restart your phone The network is congested temporarily Your carrier isn’t delivering the speeds you’re paying for  You need to up the amount of high-speed data you’re paying for To determine your speed, test your data speed with Speedtest to put a number to your observations rather than just a subjective gauge that things are slow. Then check to see how much of your allotted high-speed data you’ve used for the month. Even if you have an unlimited plan, it’s unlikely you have a claim on unlimited 4G LTE data. When carriers advertise unlimited plans, “unlimited” refers to all data available to the consumer, including lower-speed 3G and 2G data. Once you exhaust your allotted 4G LTE data, you’ll likely experience throttling, or slowing of data speeds. Unlimited data ≠ unlimited high-speed data. Experts and consumers generally agree that throttling as a network management strategy is superior to the time when overage fees were common, but it’s still an inconvenience. So what are your options? Do nothing and wait and see where and how to access 5G speeds in the near future Upgrade your current phone plan to increase your high-speed data allotment Compare high-speed data packages from top-reviewed carriers such as Verizon, which offers a whopping 75 GB of data at 4G LTE speeds starting at $60 per month  3. You’re paying for data you don’t actually use via GIPHY Data is the name of the game with all the competing top-of-the-line unlimited phone plans available. It’s all about more, better, and faster data. But not everyone needs exorbitant data amounts. Does one of these scenarios describe your current situation? You’re a student who spends nearly all your time on campus connected to the university’s Wi-Fi. You primarily use your phone at home or work, where Wi-Fi is accessible. You use your phone mostly for texting and calling on the go rather than for surfing or using apps requiring Wi-Fi connectivity or data. Navigation apps are the only apps you use on the road. Or, you download area maps ahead of time for offline use and aren’t using apps at all. Rather than streaming music through your music app when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, you download music ahead of time that can be played offline. If you actually use the data you’re paying for each month, don’t bother downsizing your allotment. Just know that you don’t have to default to maximum data plans. David Lynch of tech help hub Payette Forward explains, “There’s no one-size-fits-all cell phone plan, so it’s important for you to figure out what you really need. The average person only uses a few gigabytes of data per month. Switching to a plan with a smaller monthly allotment of data is a great way to immediately save money.” We couldn’t agree more. As you navigate a data amount switch, make sure you do the math to confirm the switch saves you money in the long run, since in some cases carriers incentivize buying more data with additional perks (such as an AutoPay or multi-line discount) that do compensate for the higher data charges.   4. Your calls are dropping and texts aren’t going through via GIPHY “If you find that you can't send messages or make calls because you lack service in certain geographical locations, then the cellphone carrier may not have sufficient coverage for you,” explains David Steele of refurbished phone retailer EverydayPhone. The biggest wireless providers operate networks nationwide and boast U.S. population network connectivity approaching 100 percent, especially in metropolitan areas. Sprint recently improved network coverage in Atlanta, Denver, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City, with download speeds improving more than 50 percent. However, some areas of the country can be better served by smaller carriers that provide region-specific coverage through roaming agreements with more than one carrier. And sometimes a region-specific carrier makes more financial sense if you only need phone service in that area. For example, Appalachian Wireless covers parts of eastern Kentucky and West Virginia with its own LTE network operated from a spectrum leased from Verizon. Talk to your local friends to gauge their satisfaction with their carrier’s network coverage as you determine which carrier is best. You can also search within the reviews section at the bottom of each of our company profile pages to pinpoint specific geographic areas. 5. Customer service isn’t actually serving you via GIPHY As human beings (and even as self-interested consumers), most of us can overlook a mistake that is appropriately addressed. But it’s another story when the problem isn’t taken care of efficiently or fairly — or ever! When you pay for a service, you expect excellent service. These red flags indicate subpar customer service from a carrier: Lacks transparency Charges hidden fees Adds on services that were not agreed upon Is difficult to reach on the phone Has long wait times for phone communication or email replies Cannot provide answers or solutions to issues And sometimes it’s over-communicating that’s the problem. MyFoodSubscriptions’ Beverly Friedmann explains that “companies that send too many texts, emails, and notifications in reference to upcoming bills or promotions can be off-putting.” Reading verified customer reviews is the best way to gauge the overall customer service quality of a cell phone provider. 6. You want to start or join an account with family or friends via GIPHY Don’t settle for getting ripped off with your current family plan or overpaying for a single-line account. Cell phone carriers incentivize accounts with multiple phone lines by offering hefty multi-line discounts with ample high-speed data amounts, customizable international options, and few, if any, strings attached. Take Sprint, for example. Sprint’s multi-line Unlimited Basic service plan gets you a third, fourth, and fifth phone line free, totaling $20 per month per line. That gives customers a $1,000 savings over the first year over comparable plans with some competitors. 7. You want better parental controls If you’re ready for your children to have a mobile device, but you don’t want them to have untethered access to the digital world, your phone carrier’s parental controls are a good place to start. But what exactly do the parental controls actually control? Verizon, Mobile, and AT&T’s parental control apps have these capabilities at a minimum, though each carrier varies slightly in other areas: Instantly turn off Wi-Fi access Instantly turn off data access Limit apps available for download Limit time spent on device Limit call minutes and number of text messages Locate family members’ locations and seven-day location history Another thing to consider for kids is a basic phone rather than a smartphone. Unfortunately, some carriers don’t offer a text-and-talk only plan that makes sense financially — sometimes it’s actually less expensive to purchase data with your kid’s line. In that case, look into data sharing plans that allow you to allot specific data amounts to certain lines within the account. 8. You’re eligible for special discounts via GIPHY Perhaps you’ve reached senior status and you’re eligible for a yearly phone bill discount — but your carrier doesn’t offer one. Or you’re an active member or veteran of the U.S. military. T-Mobile offers discounts for both of those situations. Verizon gives military and veteran-status personnel discounts and discounts wireless accounts for the following first responders: Firefighters Police officers EMS workers Retirees Volunteers Consumer Cellular gives AARP members 5 percent off monthly fees and usage charges, 30 percent off select accessories, and a 45-day money-back, risk-free guarantee. 9. You spot a deal you’ve just got to snag  via GIPHY Sales promotions aren’t always worth the hype. But some definitely are. Many carriers advertise these types of deals when you sign up with them: Receive a free, heavily-discounted, or zero-interest financing for a top-of-the-line phone Have your termination fee paid off if your current carrier charges one Get your device payment plan paid off  Get a certain number of lines free on a multi-line account  When a promotion catches your eye, read the fine print and calculate your hypothetical startup and monthly costs with the new carrier and compare it to what you’re currently paying. Don’t forget to incorporate tax, early termination fees (if applicable), and SIM cards and other device-transfer costs. If you’ve done the math and you’re still feeling psyched, go for it. 10. You want entertainment perks and other add-ons via GIPHY While there are plenty of options for keeping your phone plan simple, carriers are increasingly snagging our attention with bonuses and add-ons, such as hotspot integration. T-Mobile’s T-Mobile ONE plan comes with free Netflix and unlimited HD streaming at DVD quality Cricket offers individual country add-ons which include calling minutes and unlimited text, picture, and video messaging to Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Philippines, or Vietnam for $10-$15 per month per country GreatCall plans come with an urgent response medical alert along with health, safety, and medical apps

There’s no shortage of headlines exposing smartphones as a platform for predator grooming, bullying, and self-loathing among teens and tweens. For any child with a smartphone, these dangers are constantly within arms reach — and it’s terrifying. According to a recent poll administered by Branded Research for Best Company, 9 percent of U.S. consumers say that it’s fine to give a phone to kids age 10 and younger. Most consumers (78 percent) say that children and teens should be given a cell phone between the ages of 11-16. But even though they think youth should have phones, 86 percent of consumers are concerned about young people’s cell phone use — and rightfully so. The top concern is safety from predators, followed by social concerns, explicit material, academic concerns, and physical health. What is your biggest concern with child/teen cell phone use? Safety from predators — 33% Social concerns — 26% Explicit material — 14% Academic concerns — 7% Physical health — 6% No concerns — 14% It’s clear that many parents are caught between a rock and a hard place. Our culture depends so much upon mobile devices that it is expected that teens have one, yet there are very real dangers. So you’re probably asking yourself:  How can I utilize the benefits of cell phone access while maintaining my child’s safety and overall well-being? We’re here to help you discover how to do just that. The solution: parent education + carrier controls Using the “concerns” categories of the above-mentioned survey as a guide, we’ll share recommendations for healthy child phone use, provided by experts in technology, psychology, and education. We also researched the parental control capabilities and the accompanying apps of our highest-ranked cell phone providers — Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T — to determine which carrier provides the best options for safe teen phone use. The parent control capabilities reviewed are based on the free features offered by each carrier combined with its respective paid companion app: T-Mobile Family Allowances (free) and FamilyMode app ($10/month) AT&T Smart Limits (free) and Secure Family app ($7.99/month)  Verizon Family Controls (free) and Smart Family app ($4.99/month without location and alerts, $9.99/month for premium) The importance of healthy modeling  Of course, creating a digitally safe home involves more than purchasing an app and running through a checklist of to-dos. So before deciding how you want to approach each category of teen phone safety, take an inventory of your own phone use — and what changes you can make to improve your relationship with your children through trust and quality time. Digital literacy advocate and author Diana Graber introduces this foundational concept well: “Obey your own house rules, and remember your children are watching.” When kids, whether preschoolers or teenagers, see parents on their own devices constantly, what message does that send about what’s normal for screen use? What message does it send about priorities? Public speaker and Instagram crusader Collin Kartchner is working to #SavetheKids and #SavetheParents through education and discussion about the need for time away from screens. He says that smartphones can disconnect parents from their kids, distracting them from who is truly important. Kartchner’s catchphrase? "Showing your kids you love them is 2% effort and 98% putting down your phone."Click to tweet Safety from predators It’s no surprise that the number one concern with teen cell phone use is safety from predators. The anonymity of the internet combined with children’s access to smartphones creates alarmingly ample opportunities for predators to manipulate teens.But there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of danger. Monitor contacts and messages Clinical psychologist and sexual violence prevention author Elizabeth Jeglic advises parents to set and enforce clear boundaries for phone use from the very beginning. But if you aren’t currently enforcing clear boundaries, don’t despair — it’s better late than never. In order to expect limits to be effective, clear communication and consistency are key. “Phones should not be allowed in rooms at night,” Jeglic says. “Not only do they interfere with sleep, but research also shows that the majority of teens who are talking to strangers online or via text do so after their parents go to sleep.”Jeglic also recommends parents have teens sign a usage contract, such as this one, that gives parents the right to their phone password to discourage inappropriate communications. “Let your children know that you need their password to access the phone and you have the right to check what they are doing on their phone, including what they are texting and to whom.” Justin Lavelle, online background check expert and CCO of BeenVerified, also emphasizes the importance of complete parent access to a child’s phone. “Be clear with them about the frequency with which you plan to check their phone,” he explains. Then, be sure to follow through and check it — frequently. Lavelle advises that parents look at their child’s contact list and consider calling unfamiliar contacts to ensure this is someone you want your child communicating with. Lavelle points out that there are phone carriers that will give you the option to set up the phone where it only functions with the contact numbers you’ve approved. Restrict apps It’s a horrifying reality that children and teens are being exploited via popular apps that have the ability to hide content, stream live video, exchange photos and videos, and even simply send and receive messages with strangers. And many apps, like Snapchat, can’t be monitored by parental control apps or devices. Limiting access to certain apps is key. Lavelle explains that both Apple and Android phones can be set up to restrict kids’ ability to download any new apps or to give kids access only to apps that have been approved by you. Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T all offer some degree of app blocking, app filtering, phone number management, and location services. Carrier comparison: Safety from predators Verizon Block calls and texts from up to 20 phone numbers Service blocks control new apps and services on devices — app downloads require permission Can limit apps based on age or manually disallow apps Location services, including alerts with 7-day location history Block up to 15 email addresses, vtext IDs, and/or Internet domains T-Mobile Block calls and texts from up to 10 phone numbers Use a current allowance to specify the amount of money allowed to spend on app downloads Can limit apps based on age or manually disallow apps Location services, including alerts with 7-day location history AT&T Block calls and texts from up to 30 phone numbers Block app purchases from the Apple store or Google Play Can limit apps based on age or manually disallow apps Location services, including alerts with 7-day location history   Social concerns Social concerns are also a big concern with teen phone use and encompass bullying, isolation, social anxiety, negative body image, and problems with friends and family. Interestingly, the survey results show that younger consumers are more likely than older consumers to cite social concerns as their biggest issue with child/teen cell phone use. It’s possible that younger consumers’ concerns reflect negative experiences they’ve personally had growing up with cell phones. Fortunately, parents can insulate their kids from these effects to some degree by setting appropriate age boundaries and time limits. Wait until an appropriate age Digital safety educator Collette Bowers Zinn suggests that every family should make the decision regarding the appropriate age for a mobile device in part based on finances, the child’s maturity, and social and environmental circumstances. But safety should be paramount — not peer pressure. “Parents shouldn’t feel pressured if their children have school friends who already have smart devices,” cautions Zinn. “There are many factors to consider when deciding the appropriate age to give a child a smartphone, but there is overwhelming evidence that eighth grade is the ideal age. Parents can visit waituntil8th.org for more information on the research behind this theory.” Waiting to grant smartphone access gives your child the opportunity to develop healthy social skills and relationships. Diana Graber encourages parents to keep these benefits in mind as they make decisions about their child’s screen time. In her book Raising Humans in a Digital World, Graber says, “Be mindful of what young children need most — face-to-face interaction with loving human beings. This is how children gain social skills, emotional self-control, creativity, resilience, and most of all, the ability to get along with other people and to see things from other perspectives.” Set screen time limits All three of the major carriers we’ve compared offer the ability to pause and resume internet access, set device time limits, and limit access to texts, calls, and data. The experts emphasize the importance of setting those time limits for optimal social health. When time with screens is limited, children can use their time for other pursuits like spending time in nature, learning new skills, playing sports, doing service around the community, practicing other hobbies, and developing friendships in person.Justin Lavelle suggests parents enforce (and follow themselves!) a no cell phone policy during important family times like family meals and outings. “Family time should be designed to have family members interacting in a meaningful way,” he explains. “If your child is endlessly texting at the dinner table and you’re consistently being interrupted by the sound of a message entering their inbox, it’s a recipe for a hostile situation.” You can avoid these situations by setting clear boundaries ahead of time so that everyone knows what to expect. Dr. Gilbert Chalepas, clinical and family psychologist, echoes this sentiment about family meals in particular. “The whole point of family meals is to enjoy the meal you are sharing as well as each other’s company.” Regarding family activities and outings, Chalepas says teens should either leave the phone at home or in the car. And if an unforeseen “teen emergency” arises? “Give them five minutes to finish up and put it away.” Carrier comparison: Social protections Verizon Instantly pause and resume mobile internet access over Wi-Fi Pause and resume access to data Set regular device time limits on a customizable scheduleLimit access to texts and calls T-Mobile Instantly pause and resume mobile internet access over Wi-Fi Pause and resume access to data Set regular device time limits only through preset time slot options Limit access to texts and calls Set time limits on specific apps and platforms AT&T Instantly pause and resume mobile internet access over Wi-Fi Pause and resume access to data Set regular device time limits on a customizable scheduleLimit access to texts and calls   Explicit material It’s not a matter of if your child will view explicit content, but when. You can’t completely shelter your child from ever encountering media that is pornographic, violent, or self-harming. But content filters and restrictions should be utilized to minimize the exposure. Utilize content filters Diana Graber recommends three general principles to follow when it comes to monitoring on-screen content: Watch and play the video games your children are playing Keep electronic media in public places Talk to the parents of your children’s friends about what your children do at their homes Beyond setting app restrictions, parents should consider blocking certain websites, setting time restrictions on internet browsing access, and setting up online filters based on age through their phone carrier. Photo/texting restrictions Sending sexually explicit text messages and images, or sexts is more common than parents might think. According to a study published in 2018, about 15 percent of teens are sending sexts and 27 percent of teens are receiving sexts.  Elizabeth Jeglic says parents need to address this issue. “Talk to your kids about what types of pictures it is okay to take and send via text. Even forwarding a naked picture of another minor can be considered transmission of child pornography.”  Gilbert Chalepas recommends parents “restrict camera usage and access or download an app to do it for you. Things can quickly get out of hand by taking video in locker rooms, for example, so monitor camera use closely. You don’t want your kids being labeled as a sex offender.”  Carrier comparison: Blocking explicit material Verizon Block apps and filter online content based on age (children 7+, teens 13+, young adults 17+) and category (violence, drugs, pornography) Block music and video content by age Cannot monitor content of text messages T-Mobile Block apps and filter online content based on set filter levels of high, medium, & low View website history Cannot monitor content of text messages AT&T Block apps and filter online content based on age Block picture and video messages except for iMessages like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Kik, Line, ViberCannot monitor content of text messages Parent is notified when a child tries to access blocked app or web content   Academic concerns and physical health  When left unchecked, cell phone usage can interfere with academic performance and can get in the way of adequate sleep. Screen time limits can be an important part of the solution to these concerns. School restrictions Author Rachel Macy Stafford has written about the benefits of screen time boundary setting on her blog Hands Free Mama. Her blog and book of the same title center around this concept: "Let go of what doesn't matter, so you can grasp what DOES."Click to tweet After setting screen time limits as a family, Stafford explains that “we all began to make better choices in respect to how we were using our time, focus, and energy. Not only did my children's academic performance improve, but there was more connection, conversation, laughter, and togetherness than before.”Some teens are using phones at school to cheat, gossip, or bully a classmate. But even if your teen isn’t involved in those particular behaviors, it can still be beneficial to have them leave the phone at home. “Using their cell phones in school is a learning distraction,” explains Justin Lavelle. “The easiest solution is to have your child hand over their cell phone in the morning before school.”For parents that would like their children to have their cell phones on them so that they can get in touch after school, enforce a limited number of texts and/or phone calls after school or remind them that you will be checking their phone records. Then, as with all of these boundaries — make sure to follow through! Gilbert Chalepas points out that even though some schools have rules regarding phones, kids can come up with inventive ways to get around them, so support the school by enforcing the rules at home. Chalepas notes that “you may also consider banning cell phone use during weekday mornings if your child has a hard time getting ready before school on time.” Bedtime restrictions There really aren’t any good reasons for teens to have a smartphone in their bedroom at night, so enforce a no cell phone policy. A child’s quality and quantity of sleep each night influences behavior and performance in school the next day.  Chalepas suggests that a good way to enforce such a policy is “to have everyone’s cell phone charging at the same place in a designated spot, so no one can cheat, including the parents because they need rest too.” Another consideration: use a basic or flip phone As you weigh parental control options between cell phone carriers, know that you’re not at the mercy of the specific control options available. Ultimately, you are in control of the type of phone you get for your kids.   According to the Branded Research poll referenced in this article, a slight majority — 55 percent — say that teens should be given a smartphone rather than a basic or flip phone. Younger consumers are more likely than older consumers to favor smartphones for children and teens. But the 45 percent who favor basic phones might be on to a viable solution to many of the concerns regarding teen phone use.  Switching to basic phones or adding additional basic phones to use occasionally can be a hassle and is not necessarily cost-effective if some phone lines on the plan still require data. However, it’s worth looking into. All three of the top carriers offer talk and text only plans and a limited inventory of basic phone models.  Carrier comparison: Flip phone plan options Verizon Talk and text + 500 MB data for downloading ringtones: $30/month T-Mobile Talk and Text: $20/month (taxes and fees included) Unlimited Talk & Text cannot be added to an existing T-Mobile One account with more than one voice line AT&T Talk and text: $30/month or $25 with AutoPay You can buy 100 MB high-speed data package for 30 days for $5 extra   Which carrier’s controls are best? The parental controls for all three carriers give parents these essential capabilities: Instantly turn off Wi-Fi access Instantly turn off data access Limit apps available for download Limit time spent on device Limit call minutes and number of text messages Locate family members’ locations and location history (for 7 days) There are limitations that apply across the board: The app needs to be downloaded on your child’s phone for full functionality The content of account members’ text messages is inaccessible through any of these carriers The free versions have limited features The free versions work only during the time spent roaming in the carrier’s network What sets Verizon Smart Family apart Verizon Smart Family allows you to block age-inappropriate music and video content in addition to content on apps and websites. It also comes with internet spam and phishing protection, including the ability to block up to 15 email addresses, vtext IDs, and/or internet domains. In addition, Verizon recently introduced JustKids, a kid-focused add-on available with any Verizon plan.  However, the Verizon parental controls do not work on tablets and you won’t be notified if your child attempts to access blocked content. What sets T-Mobile FamilyMode apart T-Mobile FamilyMode allows parents to reward kids with bonus screen time such as extending a time limit or disabling an “off” time. You can set time limits on specific apps and platforms in addition to overall device time limits. Plus, FamilyMode can actually manage non-mobile devices connected to your home Wi-Fi, like gaming consoles, laptops, and Smart TVs. There is an upfront fee of $20 for the FamilyMode Home Base. However, the parent’s version of the FamilyMode app can be accessed via Android devices only. If you have an Apple device, you must access the parental controls via My T-Mobile Online. What sets AT&T Secure Family apart AT&T Secure Family has the unique ability to block picture and video text messages on certain accounts. It gives a second parent admin access, works with tablet devices, and parents are notified when a child tries to access a blocked app or web content. However, the app is not yet compatible with pre-paid devices and services. Regardless of the carrier you choose, supplemental apps and measures may be necessary. Collette Bowers Zinn counsels parents to put the time and energy into researching and implementing parental controls on the phone itself, such as Apple Parental Controls Screen Time settings, app allowances, and content and privacy restrictions. As for third-party apps, Zinn recommends Net Nanny, Secure Teen, and Teen Safe. As a parent, you can’t control everything. But you can control your own behavior with phones, the phone you buy your child, the limits you set, and the consequences you enforce. And someday, hopefully, your kids will thank you for letting them be just that — kids.