Sick of Paying for Slow Unlimited Data? Readers Recommend This Mobile Carrier
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When’s the last time you looked at what you’re paying for in your phone bill? If you’ve had the same carrier for years, you may be used to paying a set amount every month, with a few occasional surprises. Or maybe you have your bill set up for autopay, so it’s set-and-forget. But now’s the time to take a look. Especially when it comes to how much you’re paying for data.
Some activities can suck up your data quickly without realizing it — like streaming video, music and built-in AI features. Switching to an unlimited data plan may mean worrying less about surprise overages and slower speeds in most cases, but not all. I’ll share more on that in a bit.
With the holidays fast approaching, upcoming travel and new smartphone releases, you may be looking for a new carrier that offers a good deal on a new phone, service and unlimited data at fast speeds — all without costing a fortune. But with so many carriers to choose from, which one is really the right one for you?
Is fast unlimited data really that big of a deal?
It is when you’re paying for data with unbearably slow speeds. For example, AT&T offers unlimited plans, but most have a limit on how much high-speed data you get before the rate is reduced. AT&T’s Value 2.0 includes 5GB of high-speed “premium” data, while the Extra 2.0 plan includes 100GB. (All carriers also reserve the right to deprioritize your device or deliver slower speeds in times of network congestion.) It’s also worth keeping in mind that your hotspot data and its speed also vary by plan, which can be another hurdle if you’re working away from home or need to send files quickly.
Readers recommend this mobile carrier for unlimited data
CNET polled readers to get their opinions about their mobile carrier through our People’s Picks community awards program. We asked about their overall satisfaction, pricing and data. When it comes to truly unlimited data, there’s one mobile carrier that readers rate highly.
CNET readers say Visible by Verizon ranks highest with an average rating of 4.73 out of 5 for unlimited data, and 4.53 out of 5 for overall satisfaction. So I dug in to see what all of the readers’ hype is about.
Visible by Verizon’s plans with unlimited data start at $25 per month, and use Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G networks. Sometimes, limited-time deals offer even lower rates, like the one I saw: $19 per month for new members who commit to a one-year term on any monthly Visible plan.
It’s worth noting that the unlimited data varies by plan. For example, the Visible plan offers unlimited data using Verizon’s network, but the Visible Plus and Visible Plus Pro plans have unlimited premium data and cost $35 and $45 per month, respectively. So even if you have a phone capable of tapping into the fastest 5G speeds, the regular Visible plan doesn’t offer them. Visible also offers a mobile hotspot with unlimited data in each of its plans, but speeds vary by plan. For instance, the Visible Plus Pro’s hotspot speed is three times that of the Visible plan.
Download speeds range from 20 to 148Mbps, and upload speeds are 2 to 15Mbps for the Visible plan, but speeds are much higher for the premium plans (163 to 622Mbps for downloads and 9 to 48Mbps for uploads).
Another unlimited data contender to consider
If you’re looking for another option, CNET readers say US Mobile is a close runner-up. US Mobile’s Premium plans have unlimited data, but there’s a caveat. US Mobile’s Unlimited Starter plan has unlimited high-speed data, but you may not be at the head of the line to access it in congested areas. The Unlimited Premium plan, however, has unlimited priority data, ensuring you’re getting the best speeds all the time. The Unlimited Flex plan is cheaper, but only offers 10GB of high-speed data. US Mobile says it offers speeds of up to 250Mbps using 4G and 5G bands from different towers. Plans start at $16.58 per month.
US Mobile’s high-speed data is unlimited, but speeds may slow down due to network congestion and the network you’re connected to. Unlike most other providers, US Mobile lets you choose which network to use – AT&T’s, T-Mobile’s or Verizon’s – so you can get the best performance in your area. There are three download and upload speed ranges, so I’d recommend looking at US Mobile’s Broadband Facts for a full breakdown.
But overall, readers give US Mobile the highest average rating of 4.65 out of 5 for data speed; however, your download and upload speeds will depend on which cellular network you’re connected to. Comparatively, Visible by Verizon scores 4.23.
Unlimited data may not seem to matter much if you’re usually connected to Wi-Fi you trust, like at home or at your workplace. And if you don’t use cellular often, choosing a plan with a smaller amount of high-speed data could be a good way to save money. But if you’re constantly going over your limited data plan or experiencing slowdowns, it’s worth considering a new carrier to save money without worrying about slow data speeds or overpaying.
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