Tracfone is the United States leading low-cost Prepaid Wireless, no contract, and mobile phone service provider. However, Tracfone doesn’t have its own cell towers but, it operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) through agreements with the country’s largest wireless network operators such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, which rents them to use their network services. The question of what carriers are compatible with Tracfone gets addressed in this article, plus other crucial information about Tracfone Wireless.
Tracfone provides several no-contract prepaid plans for very friendly prices, alongside a large selection of high-quality mobile devices from most major cell phone brands, including iPhones, Samsung, L.G., and Motorola. When you choose Tracfone, you can enjoy robustly 4G LTE nationwide coverage, and flexible and affordable plans running on America’s largest and the most dependable network. Interestingly, you don’t have to get locked into a contract, switch to TracFone and find out the wireless carrier that’s right for you.
Moreover, TracFone Wireless is a subsidiary of Mexico’s largest telecommunications company America Movil. It provides products and services under numerous brands, including TracFone, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, NET10 Wireless, SafeLink Wireless, Page Plus Cellular, and Simple Mobile. This company has about 26 million customers in the United States, making it the country’s largest prepaid cell phone service with excellent Tracfone cell phone plans. Tracfone already offers SIM-only options under its Straight Talk and Net10 brands.
Has Verizon Wireless Acquired Tracfone
In September of 2020, Verizon Wireless, the largest reseller of wireless services and the country’s leading prepaid mobile provider, reached a consensus to buy TracFone and all of its related brands. TracFone operates a family of consumer-oriented brands, and as an MVNO, TracFone relies on other mobile network towers.
However, out of 26 million total TracFone subscribers, 18 million already get their cellular services from the Verizon network. Following the acquisition, Verizon prospect to bring its award-winning 4G LTE and 5G networks and other innovative mobile technologies to Tracfone customers.
Most importantly, Verizon already provides its prepaid service and has a prepaid subsidiary known as Visible. Nevertheless, Verizon expects to maintain all TracFone employees, and the $6.9 billion deal gets scheduled to end in the second half of 2021, awaiting approval from government regulatory agencies.
Tracfone Wireless Phone Technology
Tracfone offers two types of mobile devices, namely GSM and CDMA. However, you will learn the difference between technologies and how to identify these two in a cell phone. GSM and CDMA are abbreviations that highlight the two types of radio technology that cell phones and cell phone networks utilize to transmit voice and data.
Thus, GSM represents for Global System for Mobile Communications, and its a cell phone standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). CDMA translates for Code Division Multiple Access, and it’s a cell phone standard and an access channel method utilized by various radio communication technologies.
Difference Between GSM & CDMA
The significant difference between the technologies and systems is that GSM cell phones function with a SIM card to link a particular mobile device with its network. In contrast, CDMA cell phones don’t require a SIM card and get connected to the network directly. GSM is a specification of a whole wireless network infrastructure. On the other hand, CDMA relates only to the air interface, the radio part of the technology.
Additionally, the other differences apply in terms of 2G and 3G technologies. Nowadays, 4G and 5G networks are the most usable. The most prominent phone companies and manufacturers tend to produce devices that are compatible with all cell phone standards and technologies such as GSM, CDMA, and LTE.
Across the world, GSM is the more popular cell phone standard among the two technologies. However, in the U.S., the CDMA standard is the leading technology in demand. AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM networks, while Verizon uses CDMA for their cell phone service. The Tracfone devices that utilize AT&T and T-Mobile’s network embrace the GSM technology, and those that use Verizon’s network run on CDMA technology.
List Of Tracfone Compatible Carriers
1) Page Plus
Page Plus runs as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) under Tracfone and a no-contract wireless provider with nationwide coverage that runs on the largest networks in the United States, Verizon Wireless. Page Plus is continually ranked high among wireless providers for flexible plans, low rates, and exceptional customer service.
However, to keep customer costs low, Page Plus provides four monthly plans and four pay-as-you-go plans with 4G or 3G coverage options. The plans begin as low as $12 for monthly plans and $10 for pay-as-you-go plans.
Besides, customers can also select add-on services for plans such as additional data and global calling. The add-ons enable you to create your ideal service while keeping much lower costs than the more extensive contract networks.
- Plans start at $10 per month for 100MB of data with auto-refill
- No discounts for including multiple phone lines
- Uses Verizon Wireless network — the best coverage in the U.S.
- Unlimited 4G LTE data, Talk and Text for $50 per month with auto-refill
2) Total Wireless
Total Wireless is a brand offered by TracFone Wireless, the U.S. largest no-contract cell phone provider with over 26 million subscribers. Total Wireless got launched in 2015, and its coverage is exclusively through Verizon’s network towers.
Total Wireless provides various phone plans starting from $25 up to $100 for a plan of up to 4 lines. Notably, if you are purchasing a plan on their website, the prices get advertised with an applied auto-refill discount.
- All Total Wireless phone plans feature the same set of basic features.
- Unlimited Talk, Text, and Unlimited 2G data
- VoLTE/H.D. Voice calling/WiFi calling
- Visual Voicemail
- Mobile Hotspot – All plans except the $25 plan can get utilized as a hotspot
- Reduced pricing on a Doc.com subscription
- Surfie – parental control app availed for free with all family share plans. App found in both the iOS and Android app stores.
- Customer Rewards/Refer A Friend Program
- Mobile app available to manage your account on iOS and Android
3) Simple Mobile
Simple Mobile operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), meaning that it leases network space rather than possessing and using its own cellular towers. With Simple Mobile, you’ll enjoy coverage from the T-Mobile network with up to 5G data speeds. Simple Mobile provides prepaid plans, meaning you pay at the beginning of each month to get a given amount of data or unlimited data.
Simple Mobile provides one of the easiest ways to achieve cellular coverage and mobile phones with no contracts. Simple Mobile enables you to choose from cost-effective options starting as low as $20 per month if you’re searching for basic cellular coverage alongside data plans.
- 30-day prepaid plans begin as low as $25 per month
- Keep your own device for just $0.99
- Enjoy discounts for an additional line
- Select from two types of unlimited data plans with varying hotspot access.
4) Net10
Net10 is one of the several prepaid brands owned by Tracfone, and it provides some fantastic perks for new subscribers. Apart from the affordable rates, Net10 offers reliable nationwide 4G LTE coverage on the nation’s giant networks. Besides, there are no contracts, no hidden fees, and no added costs.
Moreover, when you sign up for Net10, you have two choices – purchasing a new phone or keeping your current one. Net10 stocks all the latest models, and you can often seize a great deal if you buy a phone with a plan.
Interestingly, Net10 is all about flexibility as you can keep your phone number or get a new one. Overall, Net10 is an excellent option if you’re looking for a prepaid phone plan, but you don’t care about having the fastest speeds.
- Nationwide 4G LTE coverage on all four major networks
- Plans start at $20 per month for 2 GB of data
- Variety of plans available for every budget, with a wide range of speeds
- It doesn’t offer many deals on a new phone
5) Straight Talk
Straight Talk has it simple with prepaid monthly, no-contract service. This provider gets supported by TracFone Wireless, and its services get most widely sold at Walmart. Straight Talk operates using all the prominent carriers’ towers and promises that it provides the same reliable coverage that consumers demand. Using those already-built towers enables this carrier to save on overhead costs and offer you service at a much lower rate.
- You have numerous options for monthly, no-contract plans, meaning more freedom with cheaper plans.
- Unlimited Talk, text, and data plan are $55.
- You can extend plans to three-month, six-month, or annual terms for even more savings.
- No added perks, like Hulu or Disney Plus, are included with plans.
- Limited 5G availability, with some customers, bumped down to 2G coverage, depending on the plan.
- Cell phones are discounted but typically come in older models.
Final Verdict
If you want a carrier that offers nationwide coverage and the speed you need, you can switch to TracFone and choose any of the above affiliate brands that suit your needs. This carrier gives you the flexibility you ever wished for as it doesn’t involve any contract, and you can enjoy cellular services from any of your favorite primary wireless carriers.