There are many variations in the US: voltage, plugs, and a cellular phone system (commonly called a cellular phone system). This can cause a lot of confusion if you’re from another part of the world. Note these important distinctions.
Territory
This article applies to the 50 states and the District of Columbia of United States of America (USA). It’s valid for all of the continental mainland and the islands of Hawaii as well. There, the same operators are on the air forming one common network without roaming fees. This is partly true for Alaska, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands too, but additional operators offer mobile services there shown in own Puerto Rico (incl. US Virgin Islands) and Alaska articles. Other US overseas territories where different providers operate are featured in separate articles like these of Guam or Samoa.
Basics
Operators / Network carriers
The USA has 3 national mobile networks:
- Verizon
- AT&T Mobility
- T-Mobile US
The historic fourth provider Sprint was merged with T-Mobile in 2020. A new 5G network and fourth provider will be established by the satellite pay-TV company Dish, and will have roaming agreements for 4G with T-Mobile and AT&T.
The “Big 3” mobile networks are supplemented by small regional networks operating in limited, and usually more rural areas. Through domestic roaming agreements they may be available to prepaid customers. The “Big 3” also own the bigger MVNOs in the country. The biggest examples of this are that Verizon owns TracFone and its sub-brands, AT&T owns Cricket Wireless, and T-Mobile owns Metro by T-Mobile (MetroPCS).
Note that even without native coverage, federal regulations require all devices to be able to make emergency (911) calls on any available network that it can connect to.
Network compatibility
If your phone doesn’t support a network well enough, there is no point in using it. For international devices, you must compare the frequencies of your device with the frequencies offered by the 3 carriers as there are still a lot of incompatibilities with regard to devices from outside the US. You can find out more on this page and by looking at websites like GSMArena to view the specific network band support. Many LTE frequencies used in the country are hardly used for 4G anywhere else in the world. More expensive flagship Android phones and recent iPhones tend to have a much broader range of 4G/LTE bands, including the necessary US LTE bands. The same applies to tablets.
As an alternative, cheap disposable phones (colloquially referred to as burner phones) are locally sold at major retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy and Target. On the cheaper side these will cost between around $30 to $100, but are usually network locked to whatever carrier they are branded with, and only support that carrier’s bands. Generally, in most cases phones locked to a specific network usually work on MVNOs using that network, but not the other way around. For example an AT&T locked phone will work on Cricket, but a Cricket phone won’t work on AT&T or any other MVNO unless unlocked.
If you’ll be staying in the country for a long period of time, or if you were looking to upgrade your phone anyway, it might be worth it to purchase a mid or high end US model phone that is factory unlocked. Of course, you will need to verify that the phone has full band support in your home country.
Device restrictions
If you are going to make voice calls at all on the mobile network, all 3 major carriers require Voice over LTE (VoLTE) support. Even though this page is supposed to focus on data, the 3 carriers have restrictions that affect most or all customers regardless of voice use.
AT&T requires not only VoLTE, but has a whitelist of approved devices. This is a network-wide policy, affecting not only AT&T but all MVNOs that use their network, and even postpaid customers. This severely restricts AT&T or its MVNOs as an option for most outsiders, with a notable exception of iPhone (6 and later), which according to their whitelist should work even if it is an international variant. Note that some users have reported issues with AT&T device compatibility despite them having a supported phone.
Verizon also has a whitelist, but they are far less strict in enforcing it. You may not be able to activate an “incompatible” phone, but if you activate the SIM in a whitelisted phone, such as a US model iPhone, it is possible to swap the SIM back to your phone and use it on the network.
T-Mobile has the least restrictions on activating devices – as long as it supports VoLTE you should be able to activate it, and use it on their network. A few MVNOs currently allow for use of non-VoLTE phones to make calls, but it’s unknown if the 3G shutdown will affect this.
For international roaming from your home carrier, if your roaming provider is AT&T you may not be able to make or receive voice calls.
Frequencies
2G/GSM, 3G/UMTS
AT&T has shut down their 2G and 3G network.
T-Mobile’s 2G network is not really worth mentioning as data doesn’t usually work on it. Their 3G network was shut down on July 1, 2022.
4G/LTE
Things get more complicated with 4G. Please view the table below and the sections for each network operator.
Be aware that the 700 MHz frequency used in the US is on bands 12, 13, 14, 17 and 29. These bands are all incompatible with the 700 MHz that is going to be employed or already in use in Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America on band 28 (B28) because of different up- and download spectrum.
Whatever network you choose, if your device is missing any of these bands, you may experience gaps in coverage. This would be most noticeable on T-Mobile’s Band 71, which is used for a lot of rural and indoor coverage yet only supported on newer US model devices.
5G
The 3 national providers AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile [& Sprint] all launched their 5G networks in 2019. All of them have launched 5G for prepaid subscribers on their main prepaid network, and their main MVNOs.
Low-band, Sub-6GHz 5G is marketed as 5G Nationwide by Verizon, and 5G Extended Range by T-Mobile. Mid-band and high-band 5G is marketed as 5G+ by AT&T, 5G Ultra Wideband by Verizon, and 5G Ultra Capacity by T-Mobile. Unfortunately, for prepaid Verizon requires a more expensive plan to access 5GUW, while AT&T requires a specific plan to access 5G at all. On the other hand, even T-Mobile’s cheapest plans can access 5G.
Note that it is much different for MVNOs – some cannot access 5G, others will usually only support low-band 5G, and a few can access mid/high-band with a specific plan. Just like 4G, 5G frequencies are different to the ones used in other countries. But again, lower-end “burner” phones with 5G are now available starting from around $200.
Frequency guide
Not all frequencies are available in all locations. Also keep in mind that carriers greatly exaggerate their coverage areas.
| Networks | AT&T | T-Mobile US | Verizon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2G (GPRS, EDGE) | – | – | – |
| 3G (UMTS, HSPA+) | – | – | – |
| 4G (LTE, LTE+) | 1900, 1700 / 2100, 850, 700, 2300, 5200 MHzB2, B4, B5, B12/17, B14, B29, B30, B46, B66 | 1900, 1700 / 2100, 700, 2500, 5200, 3500, 600 MHzB2/25, B4/66, B12, B13, B25, B26, B41, B46, B48, B71 | 1900, 1700/2100, 850, 700, 5200, 3500 MHzB2, B4/66, B5, B13, B46, B48 |
| 5G NR Sub6 | 1900, 850 MHzn2, n5 | 600 MHzn71 | 1900, 850 MHzn2, n5 |
| 5G NR Mid-band”5G+/UC/UW” | 3.7 GHzn77 | 2.5 GHzn41 | 3.7 GHzn77 |
| 5G NR mmWave”5G+/UC/UW”(select areas) | 24 GHz, 39 GHzn258, n260 | 24 GHz, 39 GHz, 28 GHzn258, n260, n261 | 39 GHz, 28 GHzn260, n261 |
| Map | Coverage | CoverageCoverage (detailed) | Coverage |
Operators
This article has been split between the three major networks due to length. To find more information for prices, etc. visit its respective page.
Verizon
Verizon (formerly Verizon Wireless) is the largest cellular service provider in the US. They have about 143 million subscribers as of 2022, with almost 24 million being from prepaid services, thanks to their 2021 acquisition of TracFone, the largest MVNO in the country.
They are widely considered to have the best network coverage in the country, going head-to-head with AT&T. The problem with Verizon is that in major cities, there will likely be congestion on the network which especially causes prepaid customers to be de-prioritized on the network. Data speeds will be slowed and can even be unusable in some cases. Even though this is possible on any of the three networks, due to Verizon’s size it will be more noticeable in some areas.
Verizon operates LTE mainly on 700 MHz Band 13, along with 1700 / 2100 MHz (B4/66) and 1900 MHz (B2). For additional capacity they use Bands 5, 46, and 48. Low-band 5G is available as “5G Nationwide”, which is more widely available on plans and MVNOs. It is on bands n2, n5, and n66. 5G “Ultra Wideband” is also available on prepaid, but only on their most expensive plans. It is on bands n77, n260, and n261.
The MVNOs that use Verizon include:
- MobileX
- Red Pocket (CDMA)
- Total by Verizon (owned by Verizon)
- TracFone (includes Net10, Straight Talk, Simple Mobile, Total Wireless) (owned by Verizon)
- US Mobile Super LTE / Warp 5G
- Visible (owned by Verizon)
AT&T
AT&T has the second largest network in the US, directly competing with Verizon. It has very good nationwide coverage, similar to Verizon. However, their new policy on qualifying devices limits many potential customers. You’ll likely have the most consistent experience, even with prepaid — you’ll likely get excellent coverage and good speeds.
AT&T primarily operates 4G LTE on 700MHz, bands 12 and 17. They also operate on 850MHz/B5 (which is being upgraded), 700MHz/B14, and also use bands 29 and 46 (700 and 5200MHz) to add downlinks. Band 30 and Band 66 are used for capacitors. Your LTE-A will read “5G E” on some phones, but of course that’s not 5G at all. Most other phones will just show it as LTE+ or 4G+.
5G “Nationwide” is on bands n2 and n5, and while most prepaid plans don’t support it, faster 5G+ is available on n77, n258 and n260.
The MVNOs that use AT&T include:
- AirVoice
- Boost Mobile (owned by Dish)
- Cricket (owned by AT&T)
- FreedomPop
- H2O Wireless
- Red Pocket (GSMA)
- TracFone (includes Net10, Straight Talk, Simple Mobile, Total Wireless) (owned by Verizon)
T-Mobile US
T-Mobile has always been a smaller network, but has began to catch up to Verizon and AT&T thanks to their acquisition and merger with Sprint, the historic fourth provider. While their coverage is still far behind the other two in rural areas, they have the best speeds in many areas and undoubtedly have the better 5G coverage of the three.
Unfortunately, despite their lack of device restrictions, the T-Mobile network uses many network bands which are not supported on many international phone models. Depending on your location, this could leave you without coverage. In major urban areas, you may be able to get by without band 71 for example, but in more rural towns you won’t have service without it.
T-Mobile’s 4G LTE is on band 2 (1900 MHz) and band 4 / band 66 (1700 / 2100 MHz). On Bands 12 and 71, (700 / 600 MHz) “Extended Range 4G LTE” is also operated – this may be the only 4G frequencies available on their network in some areas. Luckily, they have a coverage map which even shows all frequencies used for LTE here.
The map does not list the specific 5G frequencies used in an area. T-Mobile uses band n71 for their “Extended Range” 5G Standalone network. “5G Ultra Capacity” operates on band n41 non-standalone, but they are also rolling out 5G SA on this band in many areas. Very limited mmWave coverage operates on bands n258, n260, and n261 in a few major cities. Unlike AT&T and Verizon, T-Mobile does not restrict 5G by plan, all you need is a compatible device.
The MVNOs that use T-Mobile include:
- Boost Mobile (owned by Dish)
- FreedomPop GSMT
- Google Fi
- GoSmart Mobile
- Lycamobile
- Metro by T-Mobile (MetroPCS) (owned by T-Mobile)
- Mint Mobile
- Red Pocket (GSMT)
- Tello
- Ting (owned by Dish)
- TracFone (includes Net10, Straight Talk, Simple Mobile, Total Wireless) (owned by Verizon)
- Ultra Mobile
- US Mobile GSM
US specifics
The following characteristics may be taken for granted for US residents and frequent visitors, but pose a challenge for newcomers:
Prices and taxes
As is customary in the United States, all prices below are exclusive of tax. In most states, you must add up to 10% sales tax to the listed price. This applies to starter packs and top-up vouchers, known locally as top-up cards, which are available without a prescription. Online top-ups on the supplier’s website are also subject to additional taxes. A solid workaround for many providers is Callingmart’s third-party top-up page. Whatever the reason, they don’t charge taxes, and some carriers only charge a minimum fee of up to 2%, which can sometimes be waived by using a promo code.
When it comes to phones, America is unique in two ways. First, the other party is charged for receiving the call (at the pay-as-you-go rate or deducted from the other party’s bundled minutes). So if the other party’s credit limit is used up, the call will not be connected (or the other party’s credit limit will be used up during the call, and it will end immediately). Secondly, the call is billed from the moment you dial, not the moment the other party answers, in fact the first minute is counted as the connection fee. So make sure you have good cellular coverage and be careful when dialing.
Plans
In the US, bundles or data packages are often called plans. That’s because most data plans or bundles require a basic monthly plan, which already includes a data allowance. More data can often be added as add-ons. On the flip side, this means it’s hard to stop the base monthly fee when you’re abroad and can’t use your plan. The only option is to drop your account balance below the recurring base rate (while turning off autopay) so it doesn’t auto-renew. But this will suspend your plan after a few months, and your number will be lost.
BYOD and BYOP
The simple fact that you already have an unlocked mobile device capable of US frequencies and only need a new SIM card (and a ‘plan’, see above) from the provider is often called either BYOD or BYOP in the US. It stands for “bring your own device/phone” and, as explained earlier, can be complicated when trying to bring an international phone.
Plugs and voltage
All power adapters for mobile devices can cope with both 110 and 220 Volts nowadays, but you may check beforehand whether “110 V” is written on it. So only the US flat-pin power plug can be a challenge for visitors from overseas. All round-pin plugs and even Australian flat-pin plugs need an adapter to fit. A 2-pin adapter is sufficient. These are available for around $1-$2 in cheap Chinese-owned stores, but some travel accessories shops might want to charge you $20+ for a set of these small plastic parts. If you don’t go to a city with a Chinatown, you might want to bring it from your country or buy it on for example eBay beforehand.
Another thing you have to consider is that even the most basic replacement USB cable in the USA can wildly vary in price, especially in tourist areas. While cheap cables may be available in convenience stores, gas stations, etc., they may also sell expensive cables instead that can cost over $10! So make sure you bring (and don’t lose) your own charging cable from home.
Further Research
The following sites offer more research into comparing various providers