Should You Get a Prepaid Phone Plan? Here's What You Need to Know

"Prepaid phone plans are for more than just setting up a burner phone. Instead of getting locked into a contract and indefinitely paying for a phone you may never actually own, prepaid phone plans promise lower prices while delivering the same coverage and speed as the major networks like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. What's not to love? Although prepaid phones sometimes get a bad rap, they make a lot of sense for some customers, particularly if you're partial to buying unlocked phones and owning them outright."

"By cutting out contracts that stipulate several lines, financing on phones like the iPhone 17 that can climb well over $1,000, and extras you may not need, like mobile hot spot coverage, prepaid phone services end up much cheaper than major carriers without big performance losses. Still, they aren't made equally. Most prepaid phone providers tap into an existing cellular network, but they have different limitations on how much access you have to that network. Here's everything you need to know."

Prepaid phone plans let customers avoid multi-year contracts and device financing by using unlocked phones and paying for service upfront, often reducing monthly costs while maintaining similar coverage and speeds through major networks like AT&T, T‑Mobile, and Verizon. Prepaid services vary in pricing, included features, and limitations because most providers are MVNOs that rely on MNO networks and may restrict access or deprioritize traffic. MVNO and MNO distinctions matter: MNOs own networks, while MVNOs lease access. Examples include Cricket on AT&T’s network and Google Fi relying on T‑Mobile. Recent mergers have blurred these lines and affected provider offerings and network access.

Read at WIRED