Price
Once you have a budget, you can narrow down your search accordingly. Remember to set a realistic budget, not one that’s too high or too low. If you want to spend less than $50 per month, you’ll have to choose an MVNO and compromise on entertainment perks and hotspot allowances. If you’re willing to spend more, you can consider plans with excellent benefits from Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T.
Speed
All the major carriers – Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint, offer full 4G speeds, and some even offer 5G in select areas. Small carriers also provide 4G data speeds, but some like US Mobile and Cricket Wireless limit speeds on some plans. Also, look for plans with low data deprioritization thresholds, which means carriers slow down connection speeds as soon as a certain amount of data is consumed or if the parent networks’ congestion increases.
Hotspot
Mobile hotspots allow you to use data as a wireless internet service that you can connect to your tablet or laptop via WiFi. It’s good to have if you’re often on the go. Some plans are hotspot capable and allow you to use your primary cell phone data irrespective of its limit. Others have a set hotspot allowance that doesn’t count towards your primary data limit. The latter option is the one to consider.
International Calling
If you have family that lives abroad, look for a plan that includes international calls or has international calling as a cheap add-on or at least a cheap pay-as-you-go rate. Also, ensure that the country you need to call is included in the service providers list.
Travel Benefits
If you enjoy traveling, consider a plan that offers significant travel benefits. Several carriers provide plans that offer the same benefits in Mexico and Canada at no extra charge. Others also offer unlimited data at slower speeds in several other countries. Or you could check for providers that offer inexpensive travel add-ons.
Entertainment Features
Several carriers offer HBO, Hulu, Netflix, and other similar subscriptions with their plans. Certain premium plans also include Apple Music, Disney+, and Spotify with their plans. Remember to calculate and ensure that you are saving money.