With so many carriers, plans, and rates out there, it can be hard to narrow down your options. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together a list of factors to take into account.
Cost of the plan: The first step is to establish your financial boundaries. In order to do so, you will need to note down the maximum price that you are willing to pay every month for your phone plan. Make sure to set realistic expectations, though. For instance, if you don’t want to spend any more than $50 per month, you may have to get a plan through an MVNO and, perhaps, forgo certain perks, like a generous hotspot allowance or entertainment benefits. If you are, however, willing to spend more, you can consider plans through T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T.
Full-speed data: Another important factor to consider is the data speed. The good news is that all carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, offer full-speed data. Most small carriers also offer plans which include full-speed data. That said, you’ll want to look out for plans that have data throttling thresholds. Data throttling refers to when carriers temporarily slow down speeds. Data throttling limits can vary from carrier to carrier and also plan to plan. Typically, the more expensive a plan is, the higher the limit is. Keep in mind that some MVNOs are known to deprioritize customer data speeds when the parent network is congested. If you happen to consume vast amounts of data on your smartphone every month, it’s best to consider a plan with a high data deprioritization limit.
Mobile hotspot: Another important factor that you need to consider when choosing is plan is whether or not it includes a mobile hotspot allowance. Mobile hotspots typically allow you to use your mobile data as a wireless internet service. This means you’ll be able to connect your computer or tablet to your phone’s data and use the internet service wherever you go. This is an excellent perk to have if you are someone who travels a lot or likes being connected when on the go.
