Cell Phone Plan

Last Updated on 2023-06-25

This article provides a brief overview of the various telecommunication plans available and the unique features offered by different telecommunication companies.
Telecommunication plans are often subject to change. The recommended plan prices do not include taxes and may vary over time.

U.S. Cell Phone Plan

U.S. cell phone plans typically include unlimited domestic calling and texting. They are primarily differentiated based on payment options, data allowances, and network speeds. Before selecting a telecommunication plan, it is helpful to understand the following common categories in the United States.

Communication Technologies

The main communication technologies in the United States are CDMA and GSM. The frequency bands used for telecommunications in Taiwan are typically 700, 900, 1800, 2100, and 2600MHz, which may differ from those used in the United States. For more detailed information, you can refer to Wikipedia.

The signal frequencies used by Taiwan mobile phone chips are tailored to the frequency bands provided by Taiwanese telecommunication companies. As a result, there may be instances where the signal is weak or unavailable when using certain or all telecommunication providers in the United States. If you don’t plan on changing your mobile phone, it is recommended to test it in stores before subscribing to a plan. You can also check the compatibility with the three major U.S. carriers, Verizon、AT&T、T-Mobile, by using the IMEI lookup service.

Account Type

Mobile plans in the United States are primarily divided into Prepaid and Postpaid options.

Prepaid
Similar to a prepaid card, Prepaid plans offer the option to automatically deduct monthly charges, usually with a $5 to $10 discount. There are no contracts or credit checks required. Online applications usually do not have activation fees, and plans can be changed at any time. Prepaid plans are typically individual plans, meaning that one account is associated with one phone number. This option is suitable for individuals who value privacy or find shared plans inconvenient.

Postpaid
Similar to signing a contract in Taiwan, Postpaid plans often provide discounts on phone purchases and additional benefits such as free streaming memberships and cloud storage. As a result, they are usually more expensive. The primary account holder for a Postpaid plan needs to provide their Social Security Number (SSN) for a credit check. If an SSN is not available, a few carriers may accept a deposit as an alternative. Postpaid plans are usually Family Plans, allowing multiple phone numbers to be associated with one account. The members can include anyone, not just family members, and do not require a credit check. As the number of lines on the account increases, there are discounts on the telecommunications fees for each line. When the account reaches the maximum discount level, the price becomes competitive with Prepaid plans.

When using a Family Plan, it’s important to be aware of the following points:

• Payment Responsibility: As the primary account holder, you will be responsible for paying the bill. It will be your responsibility to collect payments from other members of the plan. It’s important to establish clear agreements and expectations regarding payment deadlines and consequences for non-payment to avoid any potential financial disputes.
• Management of Members: Adding or removing members from the Family Plan usually requires the involvement of the account administrator. The administrator will need to initiate the necessary changes through the carrier’s customer service or online account management system.
• Financial Obligations on Exit: When someone decides to leave the Family Plan, there may be requirements to find a replacement member to maintain the maximum discount level. This is because the discounts are often based on having a certain number of lines on the account. It’s important to understand the terms and conditions of the plan regarding membership changes and potential financial obligations upon exiting the plan.
• Shared Data: Some Family Plans offer shared data among the members. This means that the total data allowance is shared among all the lines on the plan. It’s important to monitor data usage to ensure that it is distributed fairly among the members and that everyone stays within their allocated limits to avoid additional charges or data speed throttling.

Unlimited Plans

Unlimited plans in the United States are commonly known as “Unlimited Plans.” When researching these plans, you may find different prices for unlimited plans within the same telecommunication company. This is because there are variations in features such as hotspot sharing, network speeds, and deprioritization.

Hotspot Sharing
Basic versions of both Prepaid and Postpaid unlimited plans typically do not allow hotspot sharing. However, the higher-tier Postpaid unlimited plans usually offer a certain amount of hotspot data within the plan, after which the speed may be reduced.

Network Speed
Prepaid plans and the basic version of Postpaid unlimited plans offer lower-speed versions, with video streaming limited to 480p (SD quality, approximately 1.5Mbps). The higher-tier Postpaid unlimited plans provide speeds of 720p or higher (HD quality, >2Mbps). While SD speeds are sufficient for most general use, it’s worth noting that some streaming platforms (e.g., Netflix) regulate video quality based on network speed. If high-quality video streaming is important to you, it is recommended to choose a higher-tier unlimited plan.

Deprioritization
During times of network congestion (e.g., large events, concerts, densely populated areas), network speeds may be temporarily reduced. Prepaid plans and the basic version of Postpaid unlimited plans typically have lower priority during network congestion. The higher-tier Postpaid unlimited plans offer guaranteed priority within a certain data threshold, after which the priority may be lowered, resulting in reduced speeds.

Throttling vs. Deprioritization
Throttling occurs when non-unlimited plan users exceed their data limit and their speeds are automatically reduced to 2G (approximately 128kbps) until the end of the billing cycle. Unlike non-unlimited plans, unlimited plans experience speed reductions only during network congestion.

Network Coverage

In general, network coverage in urban areas is usually reliable. However, if you frequently travel to national parks or remote areas, coverage becomes an important factor to consider.

Three Major Network Providers

Verizon

Verizon has the highest 3G and LTE coverage and offers the most reliable signal strength among the carriers. However, their prices are generally higher. Verizon uses CDMA technology.

AT&T

AT&T ranks second in terms of 3G and LTE coverage and signal reliability. They use GSM technology. Their highest-tier unlimited plan includes a complimentary HBO Max membership.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile ranks third in terms of 3G and LTE coverage and signal reliability. Their prices are typically more affordable. T-Mobile uses GSM technology. Certain unlimited plans offer a complimentary Netflix membership. T-Mobile acquired Sprint, the former fourth-largest carrier in the US, in April 2021, to jointly build a 5G network. Currently, T-Mobile has the best 5G signal coverage.

Virtual Network Operators

Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are companies that lease network services from the major carriers and offer their own packaged plans. They generally provide more affordable options but may have lower signal strength, slower speeds, and lower priority compared to the carrier they utilize. Here are some commonly known MVNOs:

Cricket

Uses AT&T’s network. Their Unlimited Family Plan ($25/month for 4+ lines) is popular. They have physical retail stores.

Mint

Uses T-Mobile’s network. Mint offers competitive prices ($15/month for 4GB; $20/month for 10GB when paid annually) and occasionally has special deals during events like Black Friday. Some users have reported lower coverage, poorer network speeds in high-speed situations or crowded areas. It is important to exercise caution when considering Mint, particularly for those frequently outside urban areas. They offer a 3-month trial plan for users to evaluate their service before committing.

Google Fi

Uses T-Mobile’s network. Google Fi charges based on data usage (with a consistent rate globally) and allows multiple data-only SIM cards for different users. It supports network and phone services in over 200 countries worldwide, with affordable international calling and texting rates, making it suitable for frequent travelers. They also offer Unlimited Plans and Family Plans.

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plan is not a traditional unlimited plan commonly seen in the US. After reaching a certain data threshold, the speed is reduced to 256kbps.

CTExcel

Uses T-Mobile’s network. Launched by China Telecom, CTExcel provides Chinese language support and offers unlimited international calling to 20 countries and global texting. It also supports the frequency bands used in Taiwan mobile phones.

CUniq

Uses T-Mobile’s network. Launched by China Unicom, CUniq provides Chinese language support and supports the frequency bands used in Taiwan mobile phones. They offer SIM cards with existing phone numbers that can be purchased directly online in Taiwan.

Mobile Number Portability

Mobile number portability (MNP) enables mobile telephone users to retain their mobile telephone numbers when changing from one mobile network carrier to another. If you wish to switch carriers while retaining your phone number, you can request the Account Number and PIN Number from your current carrier and provide them to the new carrier for number porting.

Frequently Asked Questions