tourist plan ultra mobile

Buying a SIM card in the USA

by Anne Betts | Jan 13, 2020 | Travel Tech , USA | 16 comments

Updated January 13, 2020

This latest update highlights T-Mobile’s transition of its tourist plan to an almost identical plan of the T-Mobile MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) Ultra Mobile. Because the plans and setup are so similar, my previous reviews of the original T-Mobile plan have been left intact. I’m yet to use Ultra Mobile’s tourist plan but I expect the experience to be similar to that of T-Mobile.

Finally!! Visitors to the United States can pick up a local SIM card and a decent prepaid plan at an affordable price. Compared to my previous visits, buying a SIM card in the USA  was never this easy.

Buying a SIM card in the USA from T-Mobile

In September 2018, my travelling companions chose the T-Mobile Tourist Plan. As a result, I was able to get a front-row seat on set up and use. When Roam Mobility failed to deliver on my next U.S. visit, I headed to the nearest T-Mobile store to pick up the same plan. The T-Mobile Tourist Plan worked flawlessly on both occasions.

In the first scenario, my Australian friends were spending a week in New York City. Then, they were heading up to Boston, and then Portland to catch the ferry to Nova Scotia. T-Mobile’s coverage map indicated service in all the areas they were visiting.

The three-week tourist plan was a good fit for them. For their two-week stay, it offered better value than any of the AT&T plans. They purchased from the network provider, as opposed to a reseller or dealer. T-Mobile has stores in most New York City neighbourhoods, and along the east coast, in the event service and support were needed.

We dropped into a T-Mobile store in Harlem to get connected.

  The Tourist Plan from T-Mobile

T-Mobile’s tourist plan was a welcome change from the incompatible technologies and expensive plans of the past. It wasn’t as good as plans I’ve had in Australia , New Zealand and Spain , but it covered the needs of travellers looking for a useful amount of data, calls, and texts at an affordable price.

The Tourist Plan included:

• a T-Mobile SIM card (the three-in-one SIM included nano, micro and standard sizes).
• no activation fee.
• unlimited data, with up to 2 GB at 4G LTE speeds. Full speeds were available up to the 2 GB allotment, including while tethering. It was then throttled to up to 2G speeds.
• unlimited domestic texts, and unlimited international texting to more than 140 countries.
• 1,000 minutes of calls within the USA.
• Smartphone Mobile HotSpot (tethering) to share a phone’s internet connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
• domestic data roaming of 200 MB when travelling outside T-Mobile’s network area, using wireless data from another carrier. A text notification was received when approaching this limit.
• The Tourist Plan was prepaid, and expired automatically after 21 days. There was no need to cancel it. It was a stand-alone product and ineligible for additional features. The single-use disposable SIM couldn’t be extended, topped up, or reactivated.
• The Tourist SIM Kit cost $30 plus tax ($3.86 in New York). The total cost of $33.86 USD included set up and activation.

Review of the Tourist Plan from T-Mobile

• Set up was quick and efficient, and activation was immediate. Dawn, the T-Mobile representative, verified that everything was working as expected by calling to and from the newly activated phone. She taped the Australian SIM card to the SIM card holder, and ensured the receipt contained the new U.S. phone number.

• Coverage was excellent in all areas between New York City and Portland, Maine (and for the first hour crossing the Bay of Fundy). There were no dead spots.
• Free Wi-Fi was used when it was available. As a result, the 2 GB at 4G LTE speeds wasn’t exceeded.
• It was perfect for using data on the move: Google Maps, email, social media, Google, WhatsApp, FaceTime, and more.
• Texting to the UK, Canada, and Australia worked perfectly.
• The 1,000 minutes of calls within the USA were more than enough for calling accommodation hosts, ordering takeout, making reservations, calling travelling companions, and confirming bookings. Calls were clear, from and to indoors and outdoors.

In April 2019, my experience in San Francisco was similar. At the T-Mobile store near Golden Gate Park, set up was an efficient experience. I walked out of the store with a network-connected phone. My two travelling companions and I relied heavily on Google Maps to navigate San Francisco’s excellent transportation system. Between T-Mobile and an unlimited-use transit pass, exploring San Francisco was very affordable.   

Where to buy T-Mobile’s Tourist SIM Kit

The kit could be bought online, but it had to be purchased with a US credit card and shipped to a U.S. address.

A more convenient option was to buy it at the point of arrival. Inmotion is a large airport-based electronics retailer, with a presence in major airports. Insert the airport code in T-Mobile’s store locator , and chances are you’ll be directed to an Inmotion storefront.

In my case, flights from Canada to New York City land in Newark and LaGuardia. I prefer LaGuardia for its proximity to public transportation and easier, less costly access to the five boroughs using a MetroCard. I dropped in to Inmotion’s Terminal B storefront and was greeted by a representative who was eager and willing to set me up with the Tourist Plan. All before stepping outside the terminal.

Ultra Mobile Tourist Plan

The T-Mobile Tourist Plan has been replaced by an almost identical plan offered by Ultra Mobile . The “Visiting the US?” link at the T-Mobile site takes the visitor to Ultra Mobile. Ultra Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) of T-Mobile. An MVNO is a reseller for wireless communications services. As such, Ultra Mobile uses the T-Mobile network so the T-Mobile coverage map will be relevant.

The Ultra Mobile plan is similar to the T-Mobile Tourist Plan described above. The three-week plan’s features include:

• 1000 minutes of domestic talk
• unlimited domestic and international texts
• unlimited data with up to 2GB at 4G LTE
• 100 minutes to 80+ countries

The 100 minutes of international calls is a welcome feature that wasn’t included in the T-Mobile plan.

An Ultra Mobile Tourist SIM Kit can be purchased at T-Mobile Brand retail stores or T-Mobile Preferred retail stores. For more information, Ultra Mobile has a handy list of questions and answers.

Have you used Ultra Mobile Tourist Plan? If so, what was your experience?

If you’re visiting the USA, you might be interested in my other posts:

• 31 Fabulous things to do in San Francisco
• A detailed guide to biking the Golden Gate Bridge
• Inside Eastern State Penitentiary: the “magnificent ruin” of Philadelphia
• Lunch at the United Nations, New York
• Visit McSorley’s Old Ale House, New York City

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Image by TeroVesalainen from Pixabay

16 Comments

If I buy the kit at Inmotion, do I still need to go into a T mobile store to activate it? Thank you.

Inmotion will get you up and running with set up and activation. There’s no need to visit a T-Mobile store. That’s a key benefit of the Inmotion airport locations.

Can you confirm if the $30 plan still exist? I’m hearing it’s now $40 for 10 GB?

The website still indicates it’s $30 for 2 GB plan.

I bought it in San Francisco a month ago. It cost $30 plus tax.

Hi, I was informed by t mobile staff that there is a $10 plus tax activation fee for the t mobile tourist sim and I would not be able to activate the sim without paying this fee. Did you have to pay this additional fee as well when you bought from in motion or t mobile store directly?

Hi Cheryl. At both T-Mobile stores (Harlem in NYC, and by Golden Gate Park in SF), there was no activation fee. The SF experience was just two months ago, in April 2019. The total in both cases was $30 plus tax.

It is not available anymore. Just buy the 55USD sim card it is valid for 21 days with unlimited internet and unlimited call and text within the US. Thats what I bought. So far good service in NY. No problems except when inside the subway.

Your site is so helpful, Anne. Thanks. We’re heading to the US in a few months and we will absolutely use the T Mobile sim.

Do you know if we can use a Samsung (S3 or S5) phone in order to access the 4G LTE data? I’ve searched the net over some time but I can’t seem to get a definite answer.

I know this is a long-shot for you but I’m getting anxious now.

Again, thanks for all the information on your site.

Hello Mal. T-Mobile has a feature on its site where you can check your phone’s compatibility with the T-Mobile network by inserting your phone’s IMEI number: https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/bring-your-own-phone?icid=WMM_TM_Q418UNAVHA_9O9ELOM511J15816 Might this help? Good luck.

Hi, thanks for the useful information! 🙂 I would like to ask for your help. Last week I browsed T-Mobile US webpage and found all the info on the Tourist SIM. Today I browsed it again it it is redirected to ultramobile webpage https://www.ultramobile.com/tourist/?icid=WMM_TMNG_PPEULTRA_AU4DD3J38PK7L3C8617764 , which is an MVNO of T-Mobile. Does it mean that only Ultramobile SIMs are available? My friends are travelling to NYC in two weeks and I want to collect for them all info about mobile phone usage in the US. Do you know if these Ultramobile SIMs are available at InMotion Stores (at JFK for example), similar to T-Mobile’s old Tourist SIM? Thank you very much, Aniko from Hungary

Hello Aniko. I’m also directed to the ultramobile site from T-Mobile. It appears to be a recent rebranding of the Tourist Plan. I can only assume that the InMotion stores can set your friends up with the new product, or one of the many T-Mobile stores in NYC. Good luck.

Hi, today a T mobile customer service agent told me that the Tourist Plan no longer exists. I´m traveling from Colombia to Los Angeles.

Thank you for your most helpful review. We’re off to Orlando FL for two weeks and shall try the T Mobile plan for my wife and me.

Thanks Anne for the awesome guide. The Ultra Mobile tourist plan is a great deal for frequent travelers and expats.

do you know about any SIM cards (data+voice) that doesn’t expire (ie, i can keep the same SIM for recurring trips to the US (1-2 months at a time) without a monthly fee? I did use Roammobility with no issues, but they went under with Covid.

You can now buy a Lycamobile SIM card in any InMotion store access the US. It’s priced at $35 for 7GB and $50 for 15GB which isn’t a bad deal for airport standards. They are valid for 30 days and it’s preloaded so you just need to pop it in your device, dial a code and you are good to go.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

• Getting connected in the USA: A review of Roam Mobility - Packing Light Travel - […] For my review of their experience, see Buying a SIM card in the USA. […]
• Buying a SIM Card in Australia - Packing Light Travel - […] Buying a SIM card in the USA […]
• 31 Fabulous things to do in San Francisco - Packing Light Travel - […] Buying a SIM card in the USA […]

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Best prepaid SIM Cards for U.S. travelers and tourists 2024

Make sure your phone speaks the right language.

At a glance

Best overall, best for short stays, best budget, best non-mvno, best prepaid data plan, best data-only plan, how to choose.

At a glance 1. Best overall 2. Best for short stays 3. Best budget 4. Best non-MVNO 5. Best prepaid data plan 6. Best data-only plan How to choose

Whether you're going on a quick vacation or moving for good, it's never a bad idea to invest in one of the best prepaid SIM cards so you can stay in touch with loved ones back home. Unfortunately, finding the right SIM card provider for your needs can feel a bit overwhelming. Fear not, good people: we've simplified the process by gathering all of the best prepaid SIM cards for travelers into one simple guide. 

As long as your Android phone is unlocked for international use and compatible with local networks, such as T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, ordering a SIM card online or through a nearby retailer should be simple. 

Keep reading for all of the best prepaid SIM cards for U.S. travelers and tourists alike. If you want to go even deeper, you can also check out our guide to the best MVNO carriers or save some cash with the best MVNO deals of the month. 

Patrick is an experienced deal hunter with a particular interest in helping people save money on their phone bills. Whether you're switching to an affordable MVNO or upgrading to one of the Big Three, utilizing Patrick's years of experience in the eCommerce space can help you cut through the noise and find the carrier that works for you. 

From $15 at Mint Mobile

Soon to be owned by T-Mobile, a Mint Mobile SIM is a perfect choice if you're staying in the U.S. for three months or longer, with unlimited talk/text, a mobile hotspot, and more. 

Read more below.

From $19 at Ultra Mobile

The Ultra Mobile 3GB plan gives you a month of unlimited talk and text to over 90 countries worldwide on T-Mobile, up to 3GB of 5G/4G LTE data, and free Wi-Fi calling.

Read more below.  

From $15 at Lycamobile

If the ability to call abroad is your main focus, all Lycamobile plans come with unlimited talk and text to over 85 countries and a variety of data options.

From $30 at AT&T

Best non-MVNO 

Choose AT&T Prepaid's 5GB plan for $30 per month and you'll get unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data with 5G access and the ability to text over 230 countries for free.

From $40 at T-Mobile

T-Mobile's prepaid plan is a little pricey, but you get 10GB of data, a free mobile hotspot, and access to the world's largest 5G network. 

From $35 at Cricket Wireless

If you only need data on your travels, Cricket's data-only plan offers a minimum of 20GB of high-speed data, as well as usage in Mexico and Canada. 

1. Mint Mobile

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Mint Mobile is one of the best MVNO carriers today and uses T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G network, making it a great prepaid SIM card to get if you plan on staying in the U.S. for at least three months. As we found in our Mint Mobile review , Mint's 5G connection is strong, and its phone compatibility is one of the best in the country.

With Mint, you need to purchase at least three months of service upfront. After that, the best deals are offered when you sign up for six months or 12. For three months on the unlimited plan, you'll pay $90 and get unlimited talk, text, and data, 10GB of mobile hotspot, and free calls to Mexico and Canada. Calling to other international locations is available at a per-minute rate but if you use an app to call your friends such as WhatsApp or Line, you'll only need data.

Joining Mint Mobile is easy, and you can even sign up for a trial online to get a free Mint Mobile SIM card . It's especially easy if your phone is eligible for an eSIM since you can then activate the SIM straight from your phone and later continue your service if you like it. You can also get a Mint SIM card from Target, Best Buy, Walmart, or Amazon.

2. Ultra Mobile 3GB

Ultra Mobile is an MVNO on T-Mobile's network, meaning that you'll get great T-Mobile coverage at a lower price. Our Ultra Mobile review showed strong coverage and speeds. Though Ultra Mobile offers its own set of prepaid plans, the Ultra Mobile 3GB plan is a perfect fit for anyone visiting the U.S. for a month or less.

This is a more traditional SIM and after 30 days, the plan will expire, making it great for users who just wanted simple talk and text to a wide range of destinations and don't need a lot of data on their travels. For $19 with the SIM kit included, you'll get unlimited talk and text to over 90 countries worldwide, plus free Wi-Fi calling and up to 4GB of 5G/LTE data, meaning you should have no issue reaching friends and family back home.

3. Lycamobile

Lycamobile is unique because it's a global MVNO, and in the U.S., it's an MVNO on T-Mobile's network. To check whether your phone is compatible, the easiest thing to do is type in your IMEI number on Lycamobile's website, but most GSM unlocked devices should work.

Lycamobile offers several plans to pick from and really caters to those who need unlimited nationwide talk and text and international calling and texting to 85+ countries. Each plan includes these features at no additional charge, making this the perfect plan if you're someone who wants to be able to call abroad whenever you want.

When it comes to data, you have multiple options starting at just 250MB and going up to 60GB. The cheapest 250MB plan costs $15, while the top unlimited data plan costs $59. The 2GB plan is only available to new customers so if you're already signed up, this plan will come with 1GB of data. Each plan includes slightly different bonus features, so you'll have to pick what makes the most sense for you.

Fortunately, Lycamobile SIM cards are pretty easy to get a hold of. They're sold online on Lycamobile's website and Amazon, but you'll also find Lycamobile SIM cards in several retailers, including 7-Eleven, pharmacies, local convenience stores, etc. When in doubt, you can also use the online store locator to find the nearest retailer near you.

4. AT&T Prepaid

Known for its great coverage, AT&T is also an excellent carrier to consider getting a SIM card from when visiting the U.S. and one of the best prepaid phone plans . It tends to have better coverage in rural areas than other carriers, so it's also a great option if you plan to be on the road a lot. For $30 (plus taxes and fees), AT&T Prepaid will get you 5GB of high-speed data, which is then throttled to 128Kbps. As always, you should check your device's compatibility with AT&T online before signing up.

On this plan, you're able to use your mobile hotspot, and you can text to more than 230 countries. You'll also be able to talk, text, and use data in Mexico and Canada (though data speeds may be slow). And if you think you'll need more than 5GB of data, you can always upgrade to a 15GB prepaid plan for $40, which is a great deal and definitely worth considering.

5. T-Mobile Prepaid

T-Mobile not only offers some of the best cell phone plans you could get today, but it also has an excellent prepaid option that will suit most travelers and tourists needs when visiting the U.S. Because T-Mobile's network has improved vastly over the past few years and its 5G network has some of the most expansive coverage and fastest speeds in the nation, you'll likely get excellent service with T-Mobile when traveling to major cities during your stay.

There are four T-Mobile prepaid plans from which to choose, though the ideal plan for most visitors will be T-Mobile's 10GB prepaid plan for $40 per month. This plan includes unlimited domestic talk and text, up to 10GB of high-speed data, free mobile hotspot data, and a music unlimited feature so that any music you stream won't eat up your data. If you want to add international calling, you can do so for $15 extra, or if you're traveling to Mexico or Canada for a few days, you can add talk, text, and 5GB of data to use over there for an extra $5.

6. Cricket Wireless

If you don't think you'll need minutes during your stay in the U.S. and really just want data, you could consider a data-only plan from Cricket Wireless , which is an MVNO on AT&T's network. For $35, you'll get 20GB to use during the month, or for $55, you'll get 100GB.

Again, this plan doesn't come with any minutes, so you'll have to be sure you're fine using apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Skype to connect with family or friends. It does come with text and picture messages across the U.S., as well as usage in Mexico and Canada if you plan on visiting those countries as well. It's the perfect plan for anyone who will be spending lots of time on the road and wants to be able to stream, download, and do some high-speed browsing.

You can get a Cricket SIM card by going into a Cricket Wireless authorized retailer, which you can locate with Cricket's online store locator. Other popular retailers such as Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart will also sell Universal SIM card activation kits for Cricket Wireless. The good news is that if you do end up wanting minutes, you can always switch to another one of Cricket's plans with the same SIM card.

Back to the top^

Which prepaid SIM card is best for you?

Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

You really can't go wrong with a prepaid SIM card on T-Mobile or AT&T's network while visiting the U.S., and the right fit for you depends on the length of your stay and whether you need features like being able to call back home. If you're traveling for only three weeks or less, the Ultra Mobile 3GB plan is the best choice and offers just enough talk, text, and data to stay connected.

On the other hand, if you'll be in the U.S. for a few months, Mint Mobile will give you the best multiple-month value. And if you're somewhere in between, a prepaid plan from either T-Mobile or AT&T is easy, reliable, and guaranteed to give you great coverage.

Should you use your current carrier's add-ons?

Many carriers have partnerships with international carriers to offer greater service to their own customers. Luckily, this often goes both directions and means there may be a plan add-on that can give you plenty of data without needing to set up and activate a new SIM. While these travel add-ons can be quite pricey, the simplicity of this option will make it worth it to many people. It also gives you the chance to have a connection if you're waiting for a connecting flight in another country.

What about eSIM apps?

Another emerging option is eSIM apps. These apps can use your phone's built-in eSIM slot to quickly activate and pay for a phone plan without needing to remove your old SIM or worry about shipping a physical SIM in the first place. Airalo , for example, allows customers to buy as little as 1GB for a week. If you just need enough data to get around in a new city, this is a good option. It works with Google Pay, credit card, PayPay, and even Alipay.

If you have an iPhone, there's even an official T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app that accepts credit card payments from a number of countries. Regrettably, this app isn't available on Android though there are still other eSIM providers on the platform.

Just be sure to confirm compatibility before taking off. Still, there are other apps available on Android that offer solid deals on data without contacts or physical SIMs necessary.

• MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket

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After almost a decade of working in the e-commerce space, Patrick Farmer (he/him) began his career at Android Central as a Deals and Commerce Writer before moving into a new role as AC's eCommerce Editor in 2023. When he's not hunting down the best deals and offering shopping advice for our readers, you'll often find him listening to music, camping out at a brewery, or treating his cat like a human child. 

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Ultra Mobile Cell Phone Plans Review and Prices

Uses the nation’s largest 5G network, T-Mobile

Is most affordable prepaid plan at $3 per month

Offers free international calling and texting to more than 90 destinations

Will find limited options with iPhones

Adding a line only available on a single-month Unlimited plan

Why Trust U.S. News

At U.S. News & World Report, we take an unbiased approach to our ratings. We adhere to strict editorial guidelines, maintain a separate business team, and provide transparency on our methodology.

Plans Evaluated

Reviews Analyzed

Table of Contents

What Is Ultra Mobile?

Ultra mobile cell phone plans and prices, best ultra mobile plan.

Ultra Mobile is a wireless phone provider that uses T-Mobile’s 5G network for nationwide coverage. Sister company to the more recognizable provider Mint Mobile, Ultra Mobile offers multiple plans with different data caps at different lengths (long-term or short-term plans) for maximum flexibility. It also caters to those with friends and family in international locations with free international calling and texting in more than 90 countries and other destinations. If you’re on a budget, this could be the provider for you.

Key Takeaways

• While Ultra Mobile offers phones for purchase, it also promotes its BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) option.
• You can get a one-, three-, six-, or 12-month plan. The longer the term, the larger the savings.
• Ultra Mobile offers the opportunity to keep your number or get a new one. Both are relatively easy to process.

Ultra Mobile has six plans varying in 5G and 4G LTE data sizes. Each plan includes free unlimited nationwide talk, unlimited talk and text from Mexico and Canda, unlimited text and data within the U.S. and more than 90 international destinations, as well as free Wi-Fi calling and a 3-in-1 SIM card or eSIM card. The Talk & Text plan is the most basic plan Ultra Mobile offers, and it comes with 250 megabytes of 5G or 4G LTE data. The other plans include the 3GB Plan, 5GB Plan, 10GB Plan, 15GB Plan, and Unlimited Plan. Each includes a free mobile hotspot, with up to 10 gigabytes only offered on the Unlimited Plan.

Pricing for each plan depends on the length of the contract. Unlike other flexible, affordable plans, Ultra Mobile contracts can be month to month. The provider also offers three-, six-, and 12-month plans.

• Talk & Text: $15 per month (one month), $13 per month (three months), $11 per month (six months), or $10 per month (12 months)
• 3GB Plan: $19 per month (one month), $16 per month (three months), $15 per month (six months), or $14 per month (12 months)
• 5GB Plan: $24 per month (one month), $22 per month (three months), $21 per month (six months), or $20 per month (12 months)
• 10GB Plan: $29 per month (one month), $28 per month (three months), $27 per month (six months), or $25 per month (12 months)
• 15GB Plan: $39 per month (one month), $36 per month (three months), $35 per month (six months), or $30 per month (12 months)
• Unlimited Plan: $49 per month (one month), $46 per month (three months), $45 per month (six months), or $40 per month (12 months)

Then, beneath it all (literally – you’ll find it in the footer of the website) is Ultra Mobile’s PayGo Plan , which is a prepaid plan that gives you 100 minutes of talk, 100 texts, and 100 MB of 5G or 4G LTE data. Plus, it only costs $3 per month. You read that right – $3 a month. It's only available on eBay, but if you’re on a budget, it’s a no-brainer.

Ultra Mobile 3GB Plan

Price: $19.00

Ultra mobile cell phone plan features.

If you want to pause your Ultra Mobile service temporarily, the Pause Plan lets you keep your phone number and saved voicemails while freezing your service. The plan is $5 per month.

In addition to the unlimited talk and text service provided locally and internationally, Ultra Mobile continues to cater to international folks by offering Call Me Free at no extra cost to each plan. Call Me Free gives your friend or family member in a different country a local number to call so they’re not charged for an international call.

Ultra Mobile’s uTalk feature gives subscribers an additional 1,250 bonus minutes of talk in 39 international destinations for an additional $10 per month. Continuing the international perks, Globe Unlimited lets you call up to five different Philippines phone numbers on the Globe Network for another $10 per month.

Ultra Mobile Coverage

Ultra Mobile uses T-Mobile’s 5G network, which is the nation's largest. The T-Mobile network is extensive, covering cities and rural areas alike. It also covers the most highway miles with 5G of any other network, so you’ll rarely be left stranded if your car breaks down. A huge chunk of the Midwest and East Coast has full 5G coverage, while in the West coverage is a little more sporadic.

Ultra Mobile Deals and Discounts

Discounted plans.

While there are no discounted plans for members of the military, teachers, or first responders, Ultra Mobile typically offers some sort of deal on its plans. If you’re looking for more consistent discounted plans, you can check out Consumer Cellular and its senior discounts.

Ultra Mobile Deals

While Ultra Mobile markets its Bring Your Own Phone policy, it does also sell new phones if you’re looking to upgrade. From time to time, the provider also offers discounts on its phones when you sign up for a multi-month plan, most recently offering $50 off all Android phones with a 12-month plan sign-up. While it might not be the most lucrative deal out there, it’s still one to consider if you’re going to go with Ultra Mobile.

Ultra Mobile Customer Service

Customers' relationships with Ultra Mobile are average. According to Trustpilot reviews, 41% of the reviews are 4 stars or higher, while 45% of reviews give Ultra Mobile 2 stars or lower. Complaints range from the inability to port numbers back from Ultra to the lack of proper communication from customer service to dropped calls from customer service when trying to fix an issue. The people who love the service tend to travel more and credit the international calling features.

Ultra Mobile FAQ

Like any service provider, there are some steps you’ll need to take before getting Ultra Mobile cell phone service:

• Check the network coverage map to ensure your general location is covered. Because it’s the T-Mobile 5G network, you probably will be covered, but it won’t hurt to look.
• Choose the plan that best fits your lifestyle and budget. If you just need a phone to communicate with others, a low-data plan would work for you. If you’re looking to stream, game, and download, getting a higher data plan might be a better fit.
• You can either bring your own phone or buy one from Ultra Mobile’s marketplace. If you bring your own phone, ensure it’s compatible and unlocked. 
• Once you pick your plan, you can choose between a 3-in-1 SIM card or eSIM card that you can place right into your phone to activate.

Technically, because there are no contracts, you can say the month-to-month plans are the trial period. Sure, you’ll pay a small amount out of pocket, but if you don’t wish to renew, you don’t have to. Just note that some customer complaints were about porting a phone number back from Ultra Mobile.

Ultra Mobile doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee. The provider will refund those who return their SIM cards within 10 days of purchasing them. The SIM card must be returned in its original unopened packaging and must not be activated. Refunds will be processed within 15 business days after the company receives the returned SIM card. However, there is no money-back guarantee beyond this if you’re not satisfied.

This is where flexibility really comes in. If you want to cancel your Ultra Mobile phone service, just don’t pay for the following month. Ultra Mobile will deactivate your account once you miss your payment. Then, if you don’t pay within 30 days of your deactivation, your account will be canceled and you won’t be responsible for the remaining balance.

More Cell Phone Plans

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Ultra Mobile Review: 6 Things To Know Before You Sign Up

• Cell Phones

If you’re shopping for a cheaper cell phone service provider, know that Ultra Mobile has monthly plans beginning at $15 per month. The low-cost service provider was recently acquired by T-Mobile, which means you’ll have access to the same great network .

In this article, I’ll take a closer look at Ultra Mobile’s plans and pricing, how to get started and what you can expect from their service.

This article was updated in October 2023 and I review it every 12 months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here .

What To Know Before Signing Up for Ultra Mobile

Ultra Mobile offers monthly cell phone plans beginning as low as $15 per month for one line on T-Mobile’s network.  Plans with unlimited data begin as low as $19 per month. Additionally, you can save more by purchasing a multi-month plan.

All of Ultra Mobile’s plans include unlimited talk and text; however, each plan has a certain allotment of high-speed data. The $15 plan is capped at 250MB of data total, but the rest of Ultra Mobile’s plans simply slow down to 3G speeds once you’ve reached your monthly high-speed data allotment.

I took a closer look at the details of Ultra Mobile’s plans, coverage, phone deals and more. I’ve also compared the prepaid carrier to other available phone plans and carriers to help you decide whether you should make the switch. 

Table of Contents:

• Plans and Pricing
• Network Coverage
• Activation Process
• Phone Selection
• Data Speeds
• Customer Service

1. Plans and Pricing

Ultra Mobile offers six different monthly cell phone plans that include unlimited talk and text. 

The cheapest plan includes 250MB of high-speed data per month. Once you run out of data on this plan, you’ll either need to upgrade your plan or buy additional data if you need more for the month. 1GB of data costs $10 or you can get 3GB of data for $20. 

Other than the 250MB plan, all of Ultra Mobile’s plans include unlimited 3G data (128kbps) once you’ve reached your monthly high-speed data allotment.

Below, you can see all of Ultra Mobile’s monthly plans: 

In addition to unlimited talk and text (as well as unlimited data on most plans), all of Ultra Mobile’s plans include free Wi-Fi calling, a free SIM card and free unlimited talk & text to 90+ international destinations. Each plan also includes unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada. Additional plan perks include an international calling credit of $1.50-$5 and a one-time $5 international roaming credit on select plans. 

If you’re shopping for more than one line of service, Ultra Mobile offers multi-line discounts for the monthly unlimited plan. Here’s how much you can expect to pay with Ultra Mobile’s Add-a-Line: 

• Line 1: $49/month
• Line 2: $24/month ($73 total)
• Line 3: $24/month ($97 total)
• Line 4: $24/month ($121 total) 
• Line 5: $24/month ($145 total)

To learn more about Ultra Mobile’s Add-a-Line discount , visit the company’s website and note that the “Add-a-Line” discount is only available by visiting a store in person. 

Ultra Mobile also offers 3-month, 6-month and 12-month plans. I recommend trying out Ultra Mobile for one month to begin with. This is a great way to make sure you have service in your area, and if the service provider doesn’t work for you for whatever reason, you can simply drop them the second month with no further commitment. If you find that Ultra Mobile does work for you, then these longer plans could be a great way to save. 

It’s worth noting that at the time of writing, Ultra Mobile was offering 10% off 1-month plans with auto-renewal during online checkout. In the past, I’ve also seen promo codes on discounted 3-month plans. You may find a great deal on cell phone service with Ultra Mobile including discounted rates on plans that are already competitively priced!

To learn more about Ultra Mobile’s phone plans , visit the company’s website .

2. Network Coverage

Ultra Mobile provides access to T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G/LTE networks. If T-Mobile offers strong service in your area, you’ll likely have reliable access to service with Ultra Mobile.

Below, you can see the Ultra Mobile coverage map: 

To see if you’ll have coverage with Ultra Mobile, visit the company’s website and enter your ZIP code on the coverage map .

Since Ultra Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s towers, you can also visit T-Mobile’s website and check out the parent company’s coverage in your area as well. This is a great way to get a more comprehensive overview of the service.

Fortunately, T-Mobile’s 5G network is consistently staying ahead of the competition. If you do have service in your area, you’ll likely have access to fast, reliable download speeds. 

3. Activation Process

There are two ways to initiate service with Ultra Mobile if you decide to make the switch: You can order a SIM card online or buy one from an authorized retailer. Additionally, Ultra Mobile now offers eSIM activation . However you choose to activate your plan,  Ultra Mobile doesn’t charge an activation fee, and SIM cards (or eSIM) are free with the purchase of a plan.

You can  find a nearby authorized retailer  using the online store locator. Then, you can check out the available phone plans in person and activate your service in the store. 

You can also make the switch online by visiting Ultra Mobile’s website, choosing a phone plan and adding it to your online shopping cart. 

When I went through the process of shopping for a plan online, I noticed that Ultra Mobile never prompted me to make sure my phone was compatible with the plan I was purchasing. For this reason, make sure you take the extra step of checking your phone’s compatibility on your own if you plan to bring your own device.

If you’re buying a new phone through Ultra Mobile, you can shop for the device first online and then select the plan you’d like to purchase before adding the phone to your shopping cart.

The SIM card is included for free in the plan price, but taxes and fees are extra . For my ZIP code, taxes and fees added $1.76, and 2-3 day shipping was free. 

Once you receive your SIM card in the mail or pick it up from an authorized retailer, simply follow the directions included in your SIM kit to activate your service. Then, you can decide whether to keep your existing number or get a new one. If you do want to keep your current phone number, follow Clark’s #1 tip for a seamless switch !

4. Phone Selection

Most people who are switching to Ultra Mobile will want to keep their own phones for the most savings.  You’ll just need to  make sure your phone is unlocked  and compatible with T-Mobile’s network before you get started. You can  check your phone’s compatibility online .

If you do want to purchase a new phone through Ultra Mobile, you’ll find several devices to choose from.

At the time of writing, Ultra Mobile was offering 60 different cell phones including popular smartphones. The cheapest phone I saw was a CAT S22 Flip for $79 online. The selection included prices up to $1,899 for a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 5G. 

You can  check out the full phone selection online .  For more options, check out our top picks for  the best places to buy an unlocked phone .

Whether you choose to bring your own phone or buy a new phone through Ultra Mobile, you’ll also need an Ultra Mobile SIM card. Fortunately, the SIM card (or eSIM) is free with the purchase of your plan.

5. Data Speeds

One of the biggest concerns when switching to a prepaid carrier is that your data will be significantly slower. If you’re currently paying for an unlimited data plan from one of the major three cell phone service providers, you may be wondering if Ultra Mobile will be able to meet your data needs.

Ultra Mobile does not offer truly unlimited high-speed data with any phone plan.  Instead, most of its unlimited plans include a set amount of high-speed data before deprioritization kicks in. At that point, data speeds will be slower (max 128 kbps). For the $49 plan, that limit is 40GB. For the cheaper plans, that limit ranges from 3GB-15GB.  

While actual data speeds vary based on a variety of factors, Ultra Mobile does rely on the same networks as T-Mobile. Fortunately, T-Mobile is very transparent about expected download and upload speeds on various networks: 

5G Network (on-device)

• Download Speed: Typically between 80-382 Mbps
• Upload Speed: Typically between 7-32 Mbps
• Latency: Typically between 19-37 ms

4G LTE Network (on-device)

• Download Speed: Typically between 19-76 Mbps
• Upload Speed: Typically between 4-20 Mbps
• Latency: Typically between 24-40 ms

Of course, actual data speeds vary based on a number of factors including your location and coverage in your area, the device you’re using, network traffic and more. 

For more information on Ultra Mobile’s data speeds, check out Ultra Mobile’s full terms and  T-Mobile’s Open Internet Policy .

6. Customer Service

You can reach a customer representative for Ultra Mobile online or over the phone. 

To speak with a representative online, visit Ultra Mobile’s website and click the chat bubble in the bottom-right corner. To speak with a representative over the phone, call Ultra Mobile at 1-888-777-0446. 

Representatives are available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST. 

If you need in-person assistance, you can visit an authorized Ultra Mobile retailer in your area. To find the nearest locations where Ultra Mobile plans are sold, enter your address or ZIP code on the store locator online. 

While Ultra Mobile doesn’t have any physical stores exclusively for their business, you may find that products, information and assistance are available at authorized resellers nearby.

For  more information on how to contact Ultra Mobile , visit the company’s website.

Final Thoughts

Compared to T-Mobile’s postpaid plans, Ultra Mobile is a great way to access the same network for a fraction of the price. 

T-Mobile’s unlimited plans begin at $50 for one line, whereas Ultra Mobile offers an unlimited data plan (3GB of high-speed data) for $19. However, if you are looking for more high-speed data, Ultra Mobile’s 40GB of 5G or 4G/LTE speeds for $49 isn’t quite as good of a deal as T-Mobile’s Essentials Savings plan with 50GB of premium data for $50 per month on one line. 

Compared to other phone service providers that use T-Mobile’s network , Ultra Mobile doesn’t offer the cheapest plans available. For example, Tello Mobile offers 1GB of high-speed data for $10 per month, which is a much better deal than Ultra Mobile’s cheapest plan at $15 for 250GB of data total. 

On the other end of the spectrum, Mint Mobile ’s unlimited plan costs $30 for 40GB of high-speed data, which is $19 cheaper than Ultra Mobile’s unlimited plan with the same amount of high-speed data. As of October 2023, you can get the same unlimited plan from Mint Mobile for only $15/month for a limited time.

If you’re still looking for the best fit, you can  find more options on  the best cell phone plans and deals available now .  No matter which service provider you decide to switch to, be sure to  check out our guide  to help you step-by-step through the process.

Are you thinking about switching to Ultra Mobile?  Let us know in our Clark.com Community  or check out  the latest conversations around cell phones . 

• October 2, 2023: Updated Ultra Mobile’s plan pricing and high-speed data allotments (one new plan and increased data on other plans) 
• October 2, 2023: Ultra Mobile now supports eSIM
• October 2, 2023: International features now include 90+ destinations
• October 2, 2023: Unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada is now included
• October 2, 2023: Updated current phone selections
• October 2, 2023: Added a link to Mint Mobile’s limited-time $15 deal

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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G AI Smartphone (Titanium Gray, 12GB, 512GB Storage)

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Customers like the display and features of the cellular phone. For example, they say the pictures are more crisp and the AI features are the best. Customers are also satisfied with ease of operation, and quality. That said, some complain about the color and heat. Opinions are mixed on performance and battery life.

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Customers like the quality of the cellular phone. They say it has an excellent camera, excellent screen quality, and is a truly remarkable device. Some say that it's better than the iPhone in every aspect. Overall, most are happy with its performance and find it useful.

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Customers are satisfied with the display of the cellular phone. They mention that the pictures are more crisp, the photo quality and video quality are good, and the product looks great. Some say that the screen is a big improvement and crystal clear.

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Customers have mixed opinions about the battery life of the cellular phone. Some mention that it has a crazy good battery life, while others say that it gets drained if they don't make proper setting to apps sleep. However, some say that the battery could be improved to provide a more extended usage time.

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"...boosts the images sometime, mostly low light photos, thus ruins the natural color and tone .4. No pro mode after 10x zoom.5...." Read more

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Samsung Knox Suite is the end-to-end solution to complex mobility needs

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Using your personal phone for work here’s how to separate your apps and data.

Our mobile devices have become essential tools on both a personal and professional level but using them for dual purposes can pose business risks.

Some organizations try to give employees greater choice through a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or Corporately Owned, Personally Enabled (COPE) program. However, the flexibility those programs provide needs to be coupled with strong data protection such as Samsung Knox .

The question becomes: Can you successfully use one phone for both business and personal needs? The answer is yes — and there’s more than one way to separate work and personal on your phone.

Tips to separate work and personal on your phone

Separating work and personal functions on your phone has actually never been easier. Realizing the challenges of work/life balance, mobile device makers have added smart features that help you split personal and professional apps and data. Here are some tips tailored for users of Samsung mobile devices and tablets , which range from Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 to Galaxy S24 Series .

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The first — and simplest — strategy is to organize your apps on different screens . By moving personal app icons onto a separate screen from your business apps, you’ll know to stay on one screen for work and one for play.

Another good tactic is to use the Do Not Disturb function so that work doesn’t interfere with your personal time — or vice versa. When you have Do Not Disturb on, notifications won’t interrupt your workflow, whether you’re on the clock or on the couch. A more advanced version of this can be found in Samsung Modes and Routines, which allows you to adjust your settings based on whether you’re on the job or enjoying your device outside of work.

You can set your routines to kick in based on time — for instance, your work routine can automatically start at 8 a.m. and stop at 5 p.m. — or based on place (via geolocation when you get to work and when you leave).

When it comes to messaging, you can take advantage of Samsung’s Dual Messenger feature, which allows you to easily switch between two separate accounts for the same app. If you have social media or messenger accounts for both work and personal use, you can use them both on the same device. When Dual Messenger is enabled, a second app icon appears on your home screen: one app, two accounts.

A security balancing act

While these measures may support separating work and personal use, they don’t necessarily address security concerns. Some businesses tackle that by adopting a mobile device management (MDM) solution with a secure workspace to protect work data from your personal apps and browsing activity.

An MDM solution allows your mobile device to store data in a separate “container” or “profile” so that personal and professional data are kept separate. With an effective MDM solution, companies can gain more reliable control of the devices they need to manage.

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These secure containers help you balance productivity with security — as well as your life at work and off work. You can also easily set up Android Work Profile , which keeps business data safeguarded by separating it from the personal data on the device.

A secure approach to mobile AI

There are also safeguards unique to the most advanced mobile devices. Besides offering maximized productivity, barrier-free communication, and limitless creativity, for example, Galaxy S24 includes data security for the AI era .

The S24’s approach to protecting data starts with configurable options to block cloud-based AI data for enterprises with strict data security standards. This level of control is complemented by a data architecture in which AI data is only processed after app privileges have been verified. The S24 also reformats data after verification has been completed to match the corresponding AI engine. No data is stored during this process.

S24 mobile devices are also in compliance with Google’s Secure AI Framework (SAIF), which gives businesses a standard and holistic approach to maintaining security and privacy measures.

Security, in your hands

All these capabilities are consistent with Samsung’s approach to mobile security through Samsung Knox , which provides data protection at both the software and hardware level.  

Samsung has continued to build upon Knox with the introduction of Message Guard, which preemptively protects devices like Galaxy S24 by limiting exposure to mobile threats disguised as image attachments.

Running silently and invisibly in the background, Samsung Message Guard traps and isolates images files when they arrive and puts them into a kind of virtual quarantine. The image file is then checked bit by bit in a controlled environment to ensure it cannot infect the rest of the device.  This prevents zero-click attacks that store malicious code in an image.

More recently, Samsung began offering Galaxy users Auto Blocker, a tool that prevents sideloading — where apps get installed from unknown sources. While there are safe approaches to sideloading that Galaxy users can continue to enjoy, Auto Blocker can be turned on to block social engineering attacks such as voice phishing.

Then, there’s Samsung’s Secure Folder , which is available on all the latest Samsung Galaxy mobile devices and provides a free, simple containerization solution that offers the same reliable security as Knox.

Secure Folder offers a safe storage space that not only builds a barrier between your work and personal data but also allows you to customize how you access that data — whether it’s via a password, pattern or biometric authentication .

The folder is easy to set up and intuitive to use. You can add apps to your Secure Folder by clicking “Add Apps” and selecting from what’s already installed on your phone or downloaded from the app store. You can transfer other content — like documents, photos and files — to Secure Folder by choosing “Add Files.”

Apps and data installed in these secure containers get an additional layer of protection against cyberattacks.

With these simple solutions, you can easily access both work and personal files throughout the day, no matter where you are.

Are you using the best phone for your business needs? Find the right solutions for businesses of all sizes. Or, read more about how Samsung Knox protects your devices from the chip up.

Samsung for Business

A global leader in enterprise mobility and information technology, Samsung offers a diverse portfolio of business technologies from smartphones, wearables, tablets and PCs, to digital displays and storage solutions. We are committed to putting the business customer at the core of everything we do, serving diverse industries including education, finance, government, healthcare, hospitality, public safety, retail and transportation. Follow Samsung for Business on Twitter: @SamsungBizUSA

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