Any Recommendations For An Unlimited Data Cell Phone Plan?

Kerry you’re absolutely right. I used Straight Talk (with Verizon towers) years ago and then switched to Verizon and there was no comparison. For the past year I’ve been using Xfinity Mobile because they use Verizon towers and I just switched back to Verizon again and seriously, there is a huge difference. I’d say my actual cell coverage isn’t much different, probably about the same or at least pretty close but my data is worlds better with Verizon. I can watch Netflix almost anywhere, even with one bar. I was really limited on good data coverage when I was with Xfinity Mobile.

Xfinity and Straight Talk both lease access to Verizon's network. For standard calls, there will not be any difference in quality of service. Data becomes a completely different story because the quality of data connection can only be as good as the bandwidth to which Xfinity and Straight Talk are given access. In order to offer more data at a cheaper price than Verizon offers, they lease from Verizon on contractual basis. That contract identifies the bandwidth to which the lessee has access. Verizon will never lease out its maximum available bandwidth because that would enable a company to provide the same service at a far lesser price, undercutting Verizon. So, Verizon leases out a percentage of its maximum bandwidth. For the best quality service, it is always better to purchase plans directly from a company that owns the network infrastructure versus going with a MVNO that leases from one of these companies. Obviously, sometimes cost outweighs the need for the best possible service quality.

Kerry you’re absolutely right. I used Straight Talk (with Verizon towers) years ago and then switched to Verizon and there was no comparison. For the past year I’ve been using Xfinity Mobile because they use Verizon towers and I just switched back to Verizon again and seriously, there is a huge difference. I’d say my actual cell coverage isn’t much different, probably about the same or at least pretty close but my data is worlds better with Verizon. I can watch Netflix almost anywhere, even with one bar. I was really limited on good data coverage when I was with Xfinity Mobile.

Xfinity and Straight Talk both lease access to Verizon's network. For standard calls, there will not be any difference in quality of service. Data becomes a completely different story because the quality of data connection can only be as good as the bandwidth to which Xfinity and Straight Talk are given access. In order to offer more data at a cheaper price than Verizon offers, they lease from Verizon on contractual basis. That contract identifies the bandwidth to which the lessee has access. Verizon will never lease out its maximum available bandwidth because that would enable a company to provide the same service at a far lesser price, undercutting Verizon. So, Verizon leases out a percentage of its maximum bandwidth. For the best quality service, it is always better to purchase plans directly from a company that owns the network infrastructure versus going with a MVNO that leases from one of these companies. Obviously, sometimes cost outweighs the need for the best possible service quality.

Example: I have Verizon; have for years. Got grandfathered in, so my data rolls over, but we have home WiFi (CenturyLink, not cellphone related at all...) so.. my phone data, it just accumulates.

When the power goes out, ie: No DSL .. Straight Talk (Tom's) doesn't work so well. We all use 'Anne's' Verizon for a Hotspot.

I'm never leaving Verizon. If Tom was OTR , I'd add him, tbh!

~ Anne ~

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I think I'll start out with Visible for now. If that's not enough for me I should be able to upgrade to Verizon fairly painlessly.

Pacific Pearl: Since, Visible apparently gives discounts for invites do you have an invite code you'd like to share?

Thanks again,

I use Visible. Unlimited, uncapped, unthrottled 5G data on Verizon's network (Visible is 100% owned by Verizon) for $40/mo. You can also connect one device (at a time) to your phone with a bluetooth or cable connection and use your phone as an unlimited, unthrottled, uncapped hotspot. I connect my iPad Pro with a bluetooth connection. With the Xfinity app I can watch all the cable channels and movies in my truck that I get on my home cable. No satellite dish required.

The test for any mobile carrier is will they have coverage where I need it? Who cares what their coverage is like in Tampa if I drive in Seattle? On my route the true test is Wyoming/Nebraska on I80. Most networks don't have coverage there or even roaming agreements with the local carriers. I can get a great signal on Visible most of the time.

Back when I started driving I knew a driver who like to play Xbox with his friends on his down time. Unlimited data wasn't available then. He paid ~$500/mo. for a 100 GB plan!

Kerry you’re absolutely right. I used Straight Talk (with Verizon towers) years ago and then switched to Verizon and there was no comparison. For the past year I’ve been using Xfinity Mobile because they use Verizon towers and I just switched back to Verizon again and seriously, there is a huge difference. I’d say my actual cell coverage isn’t much different, probably about the same or at least pretty close but my data is worlds better with Verizon. I can watch Netflix almost anywhere, even with one bar. I was really limited on good data coverage when I was with Xfinity Mobile.

Xfinity and Straight Talk both lease access to Verizon's network. For standard calls, there will not be any difference in quality of service. Data becomes a completely different story because the quality of data connection can only be as good as the bandwidth to which Xfinity and Straight Talk are given access. In order to offer more data at a cheaper price than Verizon offers, they lease from Verizon on contractual basis. That contract identifies the bandwidth to which the lessee has access. Verizon will never lease out its maximum available bandwidth because that would enable a company to provide the same service at a far lesser price, undercutting Verizon. So, Verizon leases out a percentage of its maximum bandwidth. For the best quality service, it is always better to purchase plans directly from a company that owns the network infrastructure versus going with a MVNO that leases from one of these companies. Obviously, sometimes cost outweighs the need for the best possible service quality.

Example: I have Verizon; have for years. Got grandfathered in, so my data rolls over, but we have home WiFi (CenturyLink, not cellphone related at all...) so.. my phone data, it just accumulates.

When the power goes out, ie: No DSL .. Straight Talk (Tom's) doesn't work so well. We all use 'Anne's' Verizon for a Hotspot.

I'm never leaving Verizon. If Tom was OTR , I'd add him, tbh!

~ Anne ~

I had Verizon a few years ago. I took advantage of a promotion to switch from Boost Mobile. I wouldn't have left Verizon if it weren't for the cost aspect. After the promotion ran out.