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Consumer Cellular: 11 Things To Know Before You Sign Up

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Consumer Cellular plan features and starting price
Mint Mobile 15GB
1 Line
1 Line
T-Mobile
$
20
/mo.
+tax
tax included
15GB
high-speed, then 128Kbps

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
4K video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
Visible Base
1 Line
1 Line
Verizon
$
25
/mo.
+tax
tax included
Unlimited
high-speed

Deprioritized
5Mbps hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
Mint Mobile Unlimited
1 Line
1 Line
T-Mobile
$
30
/mo.
+tax
tax included
$20/mo for first year
Unlimited
high-speed

Deprioritized
10GB hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
Visible+
1 Line
1 Line
Verizon
$
35
/mo.
+tax
tax included
Unlimited
high-speed

Unlimited priority
10Mbps hotspot
1080p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
Mint Mobile 15GB
1 Line
1 Line
T-Mobile
$
35
/mo.
+tax
tax included
15GB
high-speed, then 128Kbps

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
4K video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts

1. What is Consumer Cellular?

Consumer Cellular is a prepaid cell phone carrier known as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO.

An MVNO is simply any cell phone carrier that does not operate its own cellular network.

Instead of building their own networks, MVNOs make agreements with the four big carriers to use their cellular networks for coverage.

In Consumer Cellular’s case, it uses the AT&T or T-Mobile networks for coverage.

If you are curious to learn more about how the agreements work between the big carriers and the small carriers, check out my article on how some cell phone plans can cost so much less than others.

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2. What cell phone plans does Consumer Cellular offer?

Consumer Cellular offers the following cell phone plans to choose from:

Lines
Plan Duration
Discounts
Reset
Consumer Cellular 1GB
1 Line
1 Line
AT&T
$
20
/mo.
+tax
tax included
1GB Shared
high-speed, then data stops

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use
Consumer Cellular 5GB
1 Line
1 Line
AT&T
$
25
/mo.
+tax
tax included
5GB Shared
high-speed, then data stops

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use
Consumer Cellular 10GB
1 Line
1 Line
AT&T
$
35
/mo.
+tax
tax included
10GB Shared
high-speed, then data stops

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use
Consumer Cellular 1GB
2 Lines
2 Lines
AT&T
$
35
/mo.
+tax
tax included
1GB Shared
high-speed, then data stops

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use
Consumer Cellular 5GB
2 Lines
2 Lines
AT&T
$
40
/mo.
+tax
tax included
5GB Shared
high-speed, then data stops

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use
Consumer Cellular Unlimited
1 Line
1 Line
AT&T
$
50
/mo.
+tax
tax included
50GB
high-speed, then 128Kbps

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use
Consumer Cellular 10GB
2 Lines
2 Lines
AT&T
$
50
/mo.
+tax
tax included
10GB Shared
high-speed, then data stops

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use
Consumer Cellular 1GB
3 Lines
3 Lines
AT&T
$
50
/mo.
+tax
tax included
1GB Shared
high-speed, then data stops

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use
Consumer Cellular 5GB
3 Lines
3 Lines
AT&T
$
55
/mo.
+tax
tax included
5GB Shared
high-speed, then data stops

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use
Consumer Cellular Unlimited
2 Lines
2 Lines
AT&T
$
65
/mo.
+tax
tax included
50GB
high-speed, then 128Kbps

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use
Consumer Cellular 10GB
3 Lines
3 Lines
AT&T
$
65
/mo.
+tax
tax included
10GB Shared
high-speed, then data stops

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use
Consumer Cellular Unlimited
3 Lines
3 Lines
AT&T
$
80
/mo.
+tax
tax included
50GB
high-speed, then 128Kbps

Deprioritized
Included hotspot
480p video streaming
Unlimited minutes
Unlimited texts
5¢ to send
Pay-per-minute int'l calls
Pay-per-use in CAN & MEX
Pay per use

3. What deals, discounts, or referral programs does Consumer Cellular have?

Consumer Cellular does not offer any deals or discounts at this time.

4. Does Consumer Cellular offer family plans?

Consumer Cellular offers the following family plans to choose from:

No, Consumer Cellular does not offer family plans. Each line needs its own separate account.

Yes, Consumer Cellular offers family plans.

You can activate up to four lines on an account using the website. If you need to add more lines, then you will have to call Consumer Cellular customer service.

Keep in mind that the data allotment is shared between all lines on your account.

5. Does Consumer Cellular have plans for tablets, smartwatches, or hotspot devices?

No, Consumer Cellular does not have plans for tablets, smartwatches, or hotspot devices.

No, Consumer Cellular does not offer plans for tablets, smartwatches, or hotspot devices.

6. How good is Consumer Cellular's coverage?

Consumer Cellular rides on the AT&T or T-Mobile networks for coverage, so reception in most places is pretty good.

See the full coverage details below:

Verizon coverage information

  • Total coverage: 67.4%
  • Total square miles covered: 2,246,127
  • Total population covered: 327 million people (98.0)%
  • 5G coverage: 14.5%
  • 5G square miles covered: 484,321
  • Population covered by 5G: 230 million people (69.0%)

The above data come from the FCC and from Verizon.

Check Verizon coverage in your area using maps such as CoverageMap.com.

Verizon coverage map
Verizon's coverage as shown on CoverageMap.com

CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of cellular coverage.

Download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage between carriers and see what carrier has the best coverage in your area.

AT&T coverage information

  • Total coverage: 78.1%
  • Total square miles covered: 2,602,364
  • Total population covered: 330 million people (99.0%)
  • 5G coverage: 43.3%
  • 5G square miles covered: 1,444,381
  • Population covered by 5G: 300 million people (90.0%)

The above information comes from the FCC and from AT&T.

You can check AT&T coverage by using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.

AT&T Coverage Map
AT&T Coverage Map displayed on CoverageMap.com

CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of the cellular networks.

Download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage between carriers and see what network is best in your area.

T-Mobile coverage information

  • Network: T-Mobile
  • Total coverage: 46.6%
  • Total square miles covered: 1,551,924
  • Total population covered: 330 million people (99.0%)
  • 5G coverage: 36.0%
  • 5G square miles covered: 1,200,851
  • Population covered by 5G: 326 million people (97.8%)

The above information comes from the FCC and from T-Mobile.

Check T-Mobile coverage in your area by using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.

T-Mobile coverage map
T-Mobile coverage map as shown on CoverageMap.com

CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of cellular coverage.

Download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage and see what carrier is best in your area.

Dish Wireless coverage information

  • Network: Dish Wireless 5G Network (Boost Mobile native network)
  • Total coverage: 8.9%
  • Total square miles covered: 299,260
  • Total population covered: 210 million people (70%)

The above information comes from the FCC and from EchoStar.

Check Dish Wireless coverage in your area by using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.

Dish Wireless coverage map (Boost Mobile native network coverage)
Dish Wireless coverage map from CoverageMap.com

CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of cellular coverage.

Download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage and see what carrier is best in your area.

7. What features does Consumer Cellular support?

Consumer Cellular supports:
  • VoLTE
  • WiFi calling
  • Visual voicemail
  • MMS (multimedia messaging service)
  • eSIM
  • Hotspot
  • Domestic roaming
  • Managing multiple lines from a single account
  • International calling
  • International data roaming
  • Multi-line discounts

8. What phones work on Consumer Cellular?

Most phones that are unlocked will work on Consumer Cellular.

An unlocked phone is a phone that it is not tied to any carrier, contract, or financing agreement. You are free to use the phone on any plan or carrier you choose.

Consider contacting your current carrier to see if your phone is unlocked or what the steps are to get it unlocked.

9. Does Consumer Cellular support international calling or data roaming?

Yes, Consumer Cellular supports both international calling and international data roaming at pay-per-use rates.

10. What plan add-ons does Consumer Cellular offer?

Consumer Cellular does not offer any plan add-ons.

11. How do you contact Consumer Cellular customer service?

Consumer Cellular is known for having excellent, US-based customer service.

You can reach Consumer Cellular customer service by calling (888) 345-5509, or by using the online chat on their website. The chat hours are from 6am-5pm PT.

Consumer Cellular

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