While the wireless business has three carriers, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, that operate their own networks, it also includes companies that rent space on those networks.

Brands like Mint Mobile, which is now owned by T-Mobile, started as an independent company that leased space on its now parent company’s network. Comcast, which also offers cellular service, uses its broadband wireless network when possible for calls and data, and rents access to Verizon’s network when needed for its XFinity Mobile service.

These brands, known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), keep costs down by not having to operate their own networks. In most cases, these wireless companies also keep costs down in every possible area.

That usually means limited customer service and digital-only billing. The customer service piece, along with fears over network speed, has kept me and hundreds of millions of others with T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T.

Consumer Cellular, an MVNO that focuses on seniors, has both cut prices and made a key move to improve its service.

Consumer Cellular cuts costs, adds people

Consumer Cellular targets seniors, offering them low prices and limited features.

The brand has been an official AARP partner since 2008.

“Consumer Cellular’s plans tend to focus on basic services-talk, text, and data, without many additional features,” SeniorSite.org reported.

Approximately 80% of their customer base falls within the 50+ demographic, and the company has designed its service specifically for older adults.

“Customer support representatives receive training to understand seniors’ unique needs and preferences,”the senior-focused website reported.

The wireless carrier has also worked to keep prices down.

“While Big Wireless pushes bloated unlimited plans and look-alike pricing, in the past few months, Consumer Cellular has progressively cut the price of its unlimited plan twice. First, from $50 to $40 in September 2025 and again from $40 to $35 in January 2026,” the company shared in a press release that was emailed to TheStreet.

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The company’s commitment to customer service has paid off. Consumer Cellular has consistently outperformed other value-oriented MVNOs.

“Consumer Cellular ranks highest in the value mobile virtual network operators segment for an 18th consecutive [report], with a score of 883. Mint Mobile (857) ranks second and Visible by Verizon (821) ranks third,” according to J.D. Power.

Consumer Cellular targets customer 50 and up.

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Average monthly smartphone costs

  • Major carriers (AT&T, T‑Mobile, Verizon): Average $58/month for a typical wireless plan (single line), based on industry pricing analysis.
  • All carriers (including MVNOs): Average $44/month across the market.
    Source: Reviews.org (Nov. 7, 2025)

Typical single‑line plan prices (major carriers)

  • AT&T: $50/month (Value Plus plan).
  • Verizon: $70/month for basic 5G unlimited starts.
  • T‑Mobile: $60/month for basic unlimited plans.
    Source: MoneyLion (April 17, 2025)

Consumer Cellular uses people, not AI

While AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have all added artificial intelligence to their customer service efforts, Consumer Cellular has opted to go in a different direction.

“While operators are set to invest $77 billion in AI between now and 2030, Consumer Cellular is also doubling down on its RI (Real Intelligence) strategy: Real people (100% US-based customer service), real places (63 retail locations and plans to double to at least 120 stores this year), and real savings, like the recent price cut to its unlimited plan,” the company shared.

Consumer Cellular CEO Ed Evans said that his company wants its plans to reflect how its customers use their phones.

“Nearly 80% of adults 50+ don’t need unlimited data, and most of our customers use just over 5GB a month. But, for those who do want unlimited, we’ve made it our business to find efficiencies that allow us to deliver real savings, not promotional pricing that vanishes after a few months,” he said.

Biggest MVNOs by subscriber count

  • TracFone Wireless: 21 million subscribers, also includes the brands Straight Talk, Net10, and others.
  • Boost Mobile: 9 million subscribers
  • Metro by T‑Mobile: 8.5 million subscribers, T‑Mobile‑owned prepaid MVNO
  • Cricket Wireless: 8 million subscribers, AT&T‑hosted MVNO
  • Google Fi: 3 million subscribers, U.S. MVNO using multiple networks
  • Mint Mobile: 2.5 million subscribers, affordable now owned by T-Mobile
  • Consumer Cellular: 2.3 million subscribers, senior-focused U.S. MVNO
  • Xfinity Mobile: 2 million subscribers, Comcast’s Verizon-hosted MVNO
    Source: DeadCellZones

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