Consumer cellular wireless provider is one of the US carriers known to provide the best cell phone services, mainly to senior individuals above 65 years. The company is a leader in the wireless industry, offering senior-friendly phones such as jitterbug phones and no-contract plans. The companies’ subscribers enjoy Consumer Cellular phone plans with unlimited talk and text with multi-line accounts of up to three lines.
The phone plans start at a low price of $15 per month and $59 for cell phone devices, affordable for most senior budgets. Interestingly, the company offers a risk-free trial that allows you to test their services for free before officially joining the network. The company also participates in the lifeline program to ensure that even low-income individuals access mobile phone services.
The lifeline program is a federal government program initiated to provide free home phone services, majorly for emergency services to eligible low-income individuals. However, after its formation, a lifeline was upgraded and improved to offer free home mobile phones and affordable monthly plans for seniors. Therefore, before discovering the best consumer cellular phone plans, it will be good to know more about the company and the other services.
What Is Consumer Cellular?
Consumer Cellular is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that focuses on providing cell phone network services to senior individuals. The company is based in Portland, Oregon, US, with over 4 million subscribers. Since it is an MVNO, it leases services from another carrier; therefore, it offers cheap services because it does not have to incur the cost of paying rent for physical stores. The company depends on AT&T and T-Mobile network providers to offer its services. Therefore, consumer cellular provides a 5G high-speed network with nationwide coverage.
This means that consumer cellular customers enjoy the nationwide AT&T and T-Mobile towers to get services. Additionally, Consumer Cellular compatible phones use the GSM network technology provided by the two major companies. You can use the Consumer Cellular IMEI checker available on their website to check if your cell phone is compatible with the Consumer Cellular network operator. You can navigate the phone’s settings to get the IMEI number or dial *#06#.
Since its formation, the company has been focusing on cell phone users who are not hefty network users. The cell phone plans provided by Consumer Cellular come with talk time and text messages; however, subscribers have an option to select as little as 1 GB of mobile data depending on their needs. The company has some of the best and most affordable entry-level plans that start at $20 a month.
Moreover, with several ranges of customized cellular plans, and Consumer Cellular phone deals, Consumer Cellular is among the best options for seniors. The company also offers members of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) special discounts on wireless phone plans and deals. It has been an AARP provider for over 12 years and continues to give members outstanding value and superior customer support. A member of the AARP gets a 5% discount on monthly service.
Why Switch to Consumer Cellular?
Consumer Cellular is one of the best MVNOs that offers the most affordable mobile phone services. The company’s customers enjoy many benefits, from free smartphones, unlimited text and talk, and nationwide coverage, to affordable and flexible services. Some of the advantages that you will get at Consumer Cellular include;
i) Nationwide Network Coverage
Consumer Cellular uses a network from two of the largest wireless providers in the US; AT&T and T-Mobile. The two companies have widespread towers nationwide, covering almost 99% of the US landmass. Consumer cellular subscribers also have access to AT&T and T -Mobile’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE and 5G network speed. Therefore, Consumer Cellular customers enjoy nationwide network connectivity and super-fast network speed.
ii) Wide Range of Cell Phones and Devices
While switching to the network, you can decide to purchase a new phone or bring your existing phone. However, to bring your phone to the company, you must ensure that it is unlocked and compatible. It is not tied to operating on a particular carrier and can operate using the GSM network technology.
The company provides more than 29 different cell phone models, including iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Motorola. You can get the Consumer Cellular phones at Walmart or their own online stores.
The most popular phones include the following:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 mini
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
- Motorola One 5G Ace
- iPhone 12
- iPhone SE (2020 model)
iii) Competent Customer Service
Consumer Cellular avails a customer care support team who are always available and have the knowledge and solution to most customer issues. You can reach them through a live chat with someone on their online platform or call them at 1-888-345-5509.
How Can I Get the Best Deal with Consumer Cellular?
Consumer Cellular network provider offers straightforward wireless cell phone plans aimed at older adults. The company offers a wide variety of different service plans, including Consumer Cellular phone plans for seniors. Unlike other wireless providers with lengthy year-long contracts, Consumer Cellular plans do not have a long-term commitment; you pay for the services monthly and can decide to upgrade from one plan to another.
The company is highly rated by Consumer Reports in overall satisfaction, scoring better than most other big cell phone carriers, such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Consumer cellular plans are known to offer;
- No contracts deal
- 30-day risk-free trial
- AARP member discounts
- Flexible and customizable plans
- Award-winning U.S.-based customer support
- Senior-friendly phones and plans
- No activation or overage fees
Consumer Cellular is considered a carrier that offers affordable plans. However, you can follow the few tricks below to get the best deal possible:
a) Be an AARP Member
If you are an AARP member, you will save up to 5 percent on your monthly mobile phone bill and also get a discount on some digital device accessories.
b) Refer a Friend
When you refer a family member or a friend to Consumer Cellular, you will get an additional $10 referral credit to your account when they sign up for the service.
c) Look for Seasonal Deal
Consumer Cellular offers some promotions occasionally; therefore, you will get the best deal while saving more when you switch to the network during the promotion seasons. The promotions are different for different seasons; however, you can get up to a $100 credit on every new line you purchase as a new customer.
d) Pick up the Phone
You can contact the Consumer Cellular customer support team to ask if they have some special promotions or deals with great discounts. This is one of the fastest ways of landing the best deal.
The Best Consumer Cellular Phone Plans
Consumer Cellular partners with multiple network providers to deliver customizable, flexible monthly plans. You will get the best deals from free government smartphones, flip phones, to top-notch smartphones from recognized manufacturers like Motorola, Samsung, and iPhone. Using this carrier’s free SIM card, you can maintain your existing phone.
Additionally, Consumer Cellular is the carrier with some of the cheapest phone plans that start at $15 per month and devices at $35, which is a cheaper option for most senior budgets. With Consumer Cellular, there are no hidden charges, meaning that you only pay for the data that you want to use. Seniors who do not want cell phone data can choose the unlimited talk plan at $15 per month. Generally, the company provides flexible and affordable plans for seniors. The best consumer cellular plans include;
1) Talk Only Plans
This is the best Consumer Cellular plan for seniors who are only interested in making calls. The plan allows only one line and offers unlimited talks and texts at only $15per month. It has no data plan and is ideal for seniors who want to recharge the plan quickly away from home.
2) Unlimited Talk and Text Plans
Consumer Cellular provides many plans that come with unlimited text and talks at different costs for a different amount of data. The plans include;
- $20/mo plan that offers 1GB of data.
- $25/mo plan that offers 3GB of cell phone data.
- $35/mo plan that offers 7 GB of cell phone data.
- $40/mo plan that offers 10GB of mobile data.
- $45/mo plan that offers 15GB of cell phone data.
- $55/mo plan that offers unlimited mobile data.
Bottom Line
Consumer Cellular is one of the best MVNOs in the US that offers excellent phone plans, deals, and regular discounts to existing and new customers. Moreover, the plans come with no mandatory commitment. Hence you can easily change from one plan to another. Consumer Cellular customers also enjoy a fast and nationwide connection from the two largest network providers, AT&T and T-Mobile. Therefore, this is one of the best MVNOs you can choose if you want to save more.
