You’re no stranger to the ongoing fight to save money as a student. However, you’ll need a trustworthy cell phone service with sufficient data for music and video streaming. Although the typical cell phone payment is around $80 per month, with some of the best phone plans for students offered by a few network providers such as Metro PCS, Tello, Verizon, and a few others, you can easily cut that in half.
Mobile phone network providers change their plans so regularly that the plan you have now might not be the best option available. You may get away with a plan that offers anything from 1GB to 4GB of data per month if you’re the person who only uses social media and critical apps like Google Maps and WhatsApp on occasion.
Depending on which cellular service you select, you can save anywhere from $10 to $15 each month. We’ll teach you how to save a ton of money without sacrificing the quality or coverage of your cell phone service in this article. The article details some of the most acceptable cell phone plans for college students and how to get the most incredible deals on popular gadgets.
Best Mobile Phone Plan Features for Students
If you are a student and you are looking for a carrier with the best offers, then you should check if the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) offers mobile phone plans with the following features;
i) 4G LTE & 5G Data Speeds
You will pay less without sacrificing speed because MVNOs use the main four cellular networks. More and more 5G coverage is being added, so expect high-speed data.
ii) Unlimited talk and text messaging.
It’s never been easier to find a new unlimited plan. Almost all tiny carriers offer unlimited text and phone calls as part of their subscription options. Compare low-cost voice and text plans that include or exclude data.
iii) International Calls to Canada and Mexico
Many people require international calling. Fortunately, MVNOs provide some of the most important international phone deals, including free calling to select countries such as Canada and Mexico and discounted rates to others.
iv) Multiline Discounts
Low-cost carriers can provide multiline savings and some of the cheapest family cell phone contracts.
v) Wi-fi Calling
When you’re outside your service region, this feature allows you to make calls over the internet rather than using your cellular connection.
vi) Tethering and Hotspot Data
You can use your phone as a hotspot with many low-cost carriers. To share your mobile hotspot data with multiple devices, choose an MVNO with the most acceptable mobile hotspot plans.
vi) HD Video Streaming
Some MVNOs, like the big companies, offer HD video streaming, while others do not. To find the option you desire, read the fine print.
An Amazing 10 Best Phone Plans for Students
Several wireless network providers offer different mobile phone plans with special prices across the globe. However, this section of the article gives the best phone plans for students provided by different companies.
1) FreedomPop
FreedomPop provides a seamless free basic plan. You can receive a completely free monthly cell phone plan. However, the base plan is quite restrictive, offering only 200 minutes, 500 texts, and 500MB of data. You can also upgrade to other plans if you require very low-cost products.
Also, if you’re okay with the internet, college students can use wifi calls on campus and elsewhere to avoid wasting any minutes or data. It’s also worth noting that there are fees for activation and porting your number.
2) Scratch Wireless
Scratch Wireless presently has the cheapest cell phone plan available. Their basic plan is only $69 per year; however, there are several caveats.
- First, you must purchase the phone from them, and you have no other option. The Coolpad Arise is an 89-dollar Android phone. The $69 annual fee only covers wifi calling and cellular messaging.
- You can pay for Voice and Data Passes to make calls or utilize data, and you can receive 100 minutes for $7.99 more or $14.99 for unlimited calls each month. The passes are only valid for 30 days.
3) Red Pocket
Red Pocket is another service provider that offers a low-cost, basic package for only $10 per month. You get 500 minutes, 500 messages, and 500MB of data for $10 each month. Their plans go up to unlimited, but you can get 1,000 minutes, 1,000 messages, and 1,000MB of data for just $5 extra.
Their cheapest unlimited talk and text package costs $19 per month, but it only comes with 500MB of data. All of their plans are reasonably priced and come with no obligations.
4) Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile is a unique cell phone service that provides you with a SIM card that you may use with your phone. The Mint Mobile pricing is unusual in that it requires upfront payment. For example, to get the $15 per month bargain, you must pay three months in advance, known as “bulk wireless.” For $15, you can get unlimited talk and text and 4GB of 4G LTE data if you pay three months in advance.
You will also have the option of customizing your plan 3 to 12 months in advance. Plus, for $30 per month, they recently released their Unlimited Plan, which includes unlimited domestic call and text and unlimited data.
5) Tello
To design the phone plan that best suits your requirements and budget, you may mix and match your own data, voice, and text restrictions with Tello. It should be noted that combined packages are less expensive than single items.
As a result, Tello offers students a terrific bargain on all services at a lower cost. Tello plans include unlimited messaging and data packages ranging from 500MB to 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 6GB, 8GB, and Unlimited data.
If you’re looking for talk time minutes, the following are some options: 100, 300, 500, and Unlimited minutes. The costliest plan, which includes limitless deals, costs $39 per month, while a mid-range plan with 8GB of data, 300 minutes, and unlimited text costs $27 per month.
6) Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile has a similar portfolio of data plan alternatives to Mint Mobile or US Mobile. Still, one major disadvantage is that the two most affordable plans are only accessible to new subscribers. Students can use Boost Perks to get unique discounts and points at stores such as Papa John’s, Hotels, Sam’s Club, AMC Theaters, and more. The following are some of the company’s plans:
- $15.00/month of 2 GB mobile data and unlimited talk and text.
- $25.00 per month that offers 4 GB of data plus unlimited talk and text.
- $35.00 per month plan that provides 10 GB of cell phone data with unlimited text and talks.
- $50.00/month plan with 35 GB data, unlimited talk time and text, and 12 GB mobile hotspot.
- At only $60.00 per month, you will get 35 GB of data, unlimited talk and text, plus 30 GB of hotspot data.
7) AT&T
This is the most significant organization for students looking for transparent services and great savings deals. Following Verizon, AT&T has the best network coverage money can buy, reaching over 68 percent of the United States landmass. The following are some of the best AT&T Mobile phone plans that students can opt for;
- $25.00/month plan with 10 GB cell phone data, unlimited talk, and text with 12 months pre-pay plan
- With only $33.00/month, you will get 8 GB of data, plus unlimited text and talk with 3 monthly pre-pay plans.
- $40.00 per month plan that offers 15 GB of data with unlimited text and talks.
- $50.00 per month plan provides unlimited text, talk, and data.
8) US mobile
The company offers a wide range of data plans at pricing comparable to those offered by other inexpensive MVNOs such as Mint Mobile or Boost, so there’s something for everyone, including college students.
Depending on where they live, their cellular device, and their current carrier, US Mobile subscribers can use the Verizon Super LTE network or the T-Mobile GSM LTE network. This company offers some of the most excellent student plans, including:
- With $6.00 to 8.00/month, you will get unlimited text and talk.
- $12.00/mo plan offering 1 GB of data with unlimited text and Unlimited.
- $15.00 per month plan comes with 5 GB mobile data with unlimited talk time and text.
- With only $20.00 per month, you will get 12 GB of data plus unlimited text and talk.
- $25.00/mo plan that offers 18 GB data with wit unlimited talk and text.
- $30.00 per month plan that comes with 30 GB data plus unlimited text and talks.
9) Metro PCS
Metro PCS by T-Mobile is by far the most popular MVNO, with over 20 million customers. At a mid-range price point, the company offers a great range of plans for consumers and students who use many data. The best aspect about Metro PCS for music fans is the Unlimited Music service, which lets you stream music with popular apps like Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora without exceeding your data limit.
Generally, all Metro PCS plans come with unlimited music and call and text. Some of the company provides the following plans suitable for students.
- $40.00 per month plan that comes with 10 GB data.
- $50.00/month plan that offers unlimited data plus a 5 GB mobile hotspot.
- At only $60.00 per month, you will get unlimited data plus a 15 GB mobile hotspot.
10) Republic Wireless
Republic Wireless employs a hybrid phone system, therefore allowing you to use data via wifi and cell service, hence saving you a lot of money. As a consequence, you benefit from the savings. The college students will have access to the internet on every campus, coffee shop, and, most likely, your own home. This means that they will be covered by wifi and have access to free data practically.
Therefore, the company offers a variety of plan options based on how much cell data you require. Republic Wireless’ plans all feature unlimited speak and text for $15, plus $5 for 4G LTE cell data, for $20 per month plus tax. Moreover, each additional 1 GB of data costs $5 per month. The following data is available from the company:
- 1 GB for $20/mo
- 2 GB for $32 per month
- 4 GB at only $35 per month
- 6 GB for $45 per month
- 10 GB at only $65/mo
Types of Student Phone Plans in 2022
a) Unlimited Data Plans
Do you want free calls, texts, and data? Alternative carriers cover you. Switching to one of the cheapest unlimited data plans will save money for data-hungry individuals seeking unlimited plus plans. Are you unsure how much data you’ll require? Use the data use calculator to see how much data you’re using.
b) Family Phone Plans
Do you require four or more lines? A lot of MVNOs have group plans. Compare the most affordable family phone plans so you can pick and choose what each member of your family requires.
c) Bring Your Own Phone Plans.
With smaller carriers, BYOP plans are the norm. Compare cell phone costs to find a fantastic deal with your low-cost plans. You’ll also discover the most affordable data package for your tablet or iPad.
d) Talk and Text Only Plans
There is a plan just for you if you don’t want to use the internet. The speak and text plans that do not include data in their package will save you money.
Bottom Line
Over a hundred wireless network providers in the US, including Verizon, AT&T, Metro PCS, etc., offer unique mobile phone plans. Students will always opt for the companies that provide mobile phone plans with multiple discounts, international calling options, 4G LTE & 5G data speeds, SD video streaming, and unlimited deals.