Which Prepaid Companies (MVNOs) Will Offer Coverage On More Than One Network?

[Jim1348]

As posted above, which prepaid companies (MVNOs) offer coverage on more than one network?

I was reading about Dish Wireless and it sounds like they are "not ready for prime time", yet.

If I recall correctly, Google Fi does, or at least did.

When Sprint was still operational, I think users used Sprint and T-Mobile.

With Sprint being gone, that is no longer an option.

I understand that their partnership with US Cellular has ended, too.

What I am hoping for is to use this on a dual SIM phone, like a Google Pixel 6 or newer.

I could have Verizon as my "Daily driver" through an eSIM.

The physical SIM could be for an MVNO that would work on BOTH AT&T AND T-Mobile.

So, would something other than Dish Wireless be available to do that?

Or, do I have to either go with Dish Wireless or wait until they mature a bit more?

[robbyrobby]

some markets Boost Mobile prepaid service is already offering 'Rainbow SIMs' for now they are only being offered with certain handsets that have DISH 5G frequencies and VoNR(5G voice calling.) DISH's project genesis is different and using a dual SIM setup DISH SIM for a data only connection and an ATT eSIM for more reliable talk and text than the Rainbow SIMs have at the moment. Project Genesis is only on a specially programmed S22 purchased for the service.

That said i am hearing the way the roaming preference is set there is very little 'in market roaming' or fallback to ATT or T-Mobile when signals get weak or drop but they will roam once the DISH service area is left.

i believe no one advertises it but it is possible to get postpaid service from ATT, T-Mobile and Verizon that includes domestic roaming but it would be expensive. might have to be a business account also.

[Boz1]

Check out the reply to the thread I started about Mobi: https://www.howardforums.com/showthr...9#post17251269

Perhaps, if you want, you can contact Mobi to get clarification about what they will be offering regarding what the CSR called "AT&T (T-Mobile)", and when they will start offering it?

[Serial Port]

..... what the CSR called "AT&T (T-Mobile)", and when they will start offering it?

I would strongly suspect that the rep is just not up to date. I imagine they are referring to the old difference of when At&t and T-Mobile provided cellular coverage on GSM (with a SIM card) and Sprint and Verizon used CDMA in the US (without a SIM card). Just my hunch on that one. In today's market, the three remaining major carriers all use 4G/5G and CDMA has been shut down on all of the major carriers.

It will take quite some time to get the idea of CDMA coverage forgotten, but the sooner the better.

[PaulCrawhorne]

Yes this may eventually emerge via Genesis / Dish' plans.

But for now you need to look for a Dual SIM VZW
compatible device - not many these days

and then swap SIMs as needed between the two weakest carriers in your area.

[andyk88]

I realize the information below does not directly answer your question of having three networks simultaneously (Verizon on eSIM, AT&T/T-Mobile on physical SIM, both eSIM and physical SIM be active). But . . .


Maybe you can instead have Verizon on physical SIM, and AT&T/T-Mobile on eSIM.
Before the Pixel 7, only one eSIM can be active. So having "daily driver" on physical SIM should give you more flexibility.
https://support.google.com/pixelphon.../9449293?hl=en


Instead of connecting to all three networks simultaneously, you can still potentially choose a data service provider from all three networks. "Only one SIM can be the default for data" anyway.
https://support.google.com/pixelphon...-text-messages
https://old.reddit.com/r/tmobile/com...w_has/hj0o6kz/
https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel..._time/ivfw12g/

They got rid of dual connect.
https://old.reddit.com/r/GoogleFi/co...xel_6/hj3lkkm/
"Fi's new dual connect technology, available first on Pixel 4, gives you even better coverage by connecting you to two LTE networks at once."
https://blog.google/products/google-...ct-technology/


An eSIM-capable phone can store multiple eSIMs (so T-Mobile and AT&T can be supported on separate eSIMs, then choose one). Some example data offerings:

BNESIM uses the AT&T network in the US.
https://www.howardforums.com/showthr...t-never-expire

Vegolink can be on either AT&T or T-Mobile in the US.
https://vegolink.com/tariffs-and-coverage
https://www.howardforums.com/showthr...service/page10

Keepgo has various eSIM bundles. One way to filter them is by selecting Coverage > country (> network). United States:
https://www.keepgo.com/collections/p...-united-states
On each card, click on "Countries & Networks" and "Privacy IP location" to see more info quickly.
Their World (physical) SIM can be on both AT&T and T-Mobile, but is a lot more expensive than eSIM.


https://prepaidcompare.net/
has a "Domestic roaming" checkbox.


T-Mobile Prepaid is prepaid, but I know it's not an MVNO.
https://www.t-mobile.com/support/cov...c-roaming-data
https://www.howardforums.com/showthr...mestic-Roaming

However, not sure about eSIM support on Android (so may still need to have Verizon on eSIM).
https://howardforums.com/showthread....IM-or-Sim-card


AT&T Prepaid also has some domestic roaming.
https://forums.att.com/conversations...d706405872c952
https://coveragecritic.com/mobile-ph...paid-coverage/


MVNOs and Off-Network Roaming, Some Data
https://old.reddit.com/r/NoContract/...ing_some_data/

roaming on Tmobile MVNO?
https://www.howardforums.com/showthr...n-Tmobile-MVNO


Somewhat related: After Truphone dumped ATT any other ATT glovebox options?
https://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1926511




I recently looked into T-Mobile Mobile Internet in Alaska. Sorry if the following may not be relevant to you.

After Log in to account, Edit plan > Data-only plans > Plan Details (of the 2GB plan):
• Includes up to 2GB High Speed Data, available for use in the U.S., Mexico & Canada
• Up to 200MB domestic roaming

In Alaska, it sounds like the 200MB/128kbps (and 0kbps after the 200MB) limit applies when roaming on AT&T.
When roaming on GCI, it's 5GB/LTE (and 128kbps after the 5GB).
https://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1924452
https://www.howardforums.com/showthr...3#post17146513
https://old.reddit.com/r/tmobile/com..._work/gs6g6xi/
https://old.reddit.com/r/tmobile/com...eption_report/
"This was for both an unlimited monthly plan user and another on a T-Mobile prepaid account."
https://old.reddit.com/r/tmobile/com...eport/hdijslc/
https://old.reddit.com/r/tmobile/com...ill_unlimited/

May need to select AT&T manually.
https://old.reddit.com/r/Cruise/comm...rvice/icwhgw0/
https://old.reddit.com/r/Cruise/comm...rvice/icyxaj4/

The T&C says don't use more than 50% of roaming data in "any 2 billing cycles within any 12-month period".
https://old.reddit.com/r/tmobile/com..._they/h8tfvo2/
https://old.reddit.com/r/tmobile/com...havent_roamed/
https://old.reddit.com/r/tmobile/com...mited/g96jk1e/



Also, excellent point about a newer phone on T-Mobile by robbyrobby below.

(T-Mobile Mobile Internet + Nord N200) has been way way better than (Tracfone/AT&T + ZTE Blade Spark).
T-Mobile also may be less congested than Verizon.
https://www.howardforums.com/showthr...6#post17246256

Even without 5G, having support for bands 12 and 71 for Extended Range 4G LTE should help.
https://www.t-mobile.com/support/cov...rk#frequencies

[robbyrobby]

Yes this may eventually emerge via Genesis / Dish' plans.

But for now you need to look for a Dual SIM VZW
compatible device - not many these days

and then swap SIMs as needed between the two weakest carriers in your area.

or if its more for data than voice coverage maybe one of the networks on a mobile hotspot ? or a tablet with hotspot capabilities ?

[robbyrobby]

another topic but could be related at least in more Urban and Metro areas

a few years ago for better coverage and ability to make calls and use data it may of made sense to have multiple networks.

with all the new frequencies deployed and network build these days it may be a better cost/reliability calculation to first be sure you have the most capable handset with all the latest frequencies for the strongest network in your area. the places i spend the most time i am no longer see frequent connectivity issues when using the recent 5G handsets with all the bands. as recent as 2 to 3 years ago i could rarely leave home without having 'no service' on at least one network for part of the outing. that is still the case with many of my older handsets but not the latest ones.

handsets also change a lot who is best. in the market i am in most Verizon is far and away the best on any older 4G LTE handsets. switches to T-Mobile on a newer 5G phone with ATT a very close 2nd place. to be fair ATT is actually more consistent with fewer slow data areas, but T-Mobile is much faster in more places i frequent.

all 3 are pretty usable as hotspot sources for nearly all my tablet and laptop needs away from home, something that was certainly not the case a couple years ago

i'm still a geek with a bunch of services BUT with the right handset with all the bands I could get by fine with a single network these days.

[Gotadimple]

Go here: https://prepaidcompare.net/
You can search all MVNOs and specify multiple carriers. The search function has lots of filters to help you narrow the list.

[Jim1348]

...An eSIM-capable phone can store multiple eSIMs (so T-Mobile and AT&T can be supported on separate eSIMs, then choose one)...

I did not know that.

Maybe I will take T-Mobile and Verizon for a free trial.

https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/free-trial

https://www.verizon.com/support/verizon-free-trial-faqs

[andyk88]

Yeah, you can store multiple eSIMs, but only one can be active before the Pixel 7.
https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel..._for_pixel_67/


Cricket lets you try the AT&T network.
https://www.cricketwireless.com/free-trial.html


robbyrobby said the Verizon and T-Mobile trials require existing active service.
https://www.howardforums.com/showthr...2#post17235372

Also here:
https://slickdeals.net/f/16435822-no...#post162516559


I am not aware of Mint Mobile requiring active service, but it's only 7 days and 250/250/250.
https://www.mintmobile.com/free-trial/

[Jim1348]

Thank you for the reply.

That would be a dandy way for my to compare AT&T to T-Mobile to Verizon.

[WhizzWr]

I recently looked into T-Mobile Mobile Internet in Alaska. Sorry if the following may not be relevant to you.

After Log in to account, Edit plan > Data-only plans > Plan Details (of the 2GB plan):
• Includes up to 2GB High Speed Data, available for use in the U.S., Mexico & Canada
• Up to 200MB domestic roaming

In Alaska, it sounds like the 200MB/128kbps (and 0kbps after the 200MB) limit applies when roaming on AT&T.
When roaming on GCI, it's 5GB/LTE (and 128kbps after the 5GB).

Hi everyone, does anyone know if domestic roaming with GCI works as well for T-Mobile Network Pass (the trial thingy)?

Which one would have better coverage in AK? T-Mo with GCI roaming, or any of the AT&T MVNOs?