Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in the United States lease wireless telephone and data service from major carriers such as AT&T Mobility, Sprint Corporation, T-Mobile US, and Verizon Wireless, as well as the regional carrier the United States Cellular Corporation for resale.
Voice and data service operators
These providers offer services to individuals for personal use. Providers offering services to businesses are listed in a later section.
Many of the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are often partnered with one (and sometimes more) host carrier companies. Providers with multiple host networks only use one depending on the specific model phone and/or SIM card used, except Project Fi which combines all listed networks together. MVNOs will often push/favor a specific model phone because it's locked into the host carrier "preferred network" that gives that MVNO the best deal/rates. The acronym "BYOD" means "Bring Your Own Device".
Currently Sprint of the big 5 host carriers is the most aggressive in obtaining Mobile Virtual Network Operators MVNOs market share. Sprint owns Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and has partnerships with Assurance Wireless, i-Wireless, and Access Wireless.
Lifeline Assistance free government operators (California)
The following is a list of all the Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in California. This list needs to be expanded for all other states. All 50 States run and operate their own Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones program so company, MVNOs participation and plan offerings vary greatly from state to state.
List of Mobile Virtual Network Operators MVNOs for California Lifeline.
Reference:
*1 Access Wireless does not officially support BYOD.
*2 Life wireless does not support BYOD officially.
*3 Safelink uses the T-Mobile network in California.
*4 TAG Mobile's network depends on geographic location. That one only uses T-Mobile.
International SIM voice and data service operators
These providers offer services to individuals for personal use. Providers offering services to businesses are listed in a later section. All MVNO's listed below are BYOD, unless otherwise noted.
Voice service operators
The following table lists operators focused on providing voice calls. Additional services may include SMS and basic low-speed data access.
Mobile broadband operators
These providers offer services to individuals for personal use. Providers offering services to businesses are listed in a later section. Unless specified otherwise, mobile broadband providers require the purchase of a dedicated mobile broadband modem.
Providers of business services
Defunct, merged and acquired operators
See also
- List of United States wireless communications service providers
- List of mobile network operators of the Americas#United States
References
