What network does your MVNO use?
Last updated September 12, 2026.
Short answer
Most budget and prepaid phone brands are MVNOs — they run on one of the three big U.S. networks: Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile. For example, Mint Mobile and Metro use T-Mobile; Visible, Xfinity Mobile, and Spectrum Mobile use Verizon; Cricket uses AT&T. Search the tool below to find any brand’s host network.
We show which major carrier network each brand resells. This is not a coverage check — confirm coverage for your area with the network.
40 brands shown
- AirVoice WirelessAT&T
Low-cost prepaid brand on the AT&T network; owned by HTH Communications since 2022. Not the same product as its Lifeline sister brand AirTalk Wireless, which uses multiple networks.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Assurance WirelessT-Mobile
T-Mobile’s own Lifeline (government-subsidy) brand, on the T-Mobile network since 2020 (ex-Virgin Mobile/Sprint). Enrollment requires Lifeline eligibility.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Astound MobileT-Mobile
Cable MVNO on the T-Mobile network (confirmed by an Astound spokesperson at the 2023 launch; the brand’s own pages use only “one of America’s largest and fastest 5G networks”). Sold to Astound internet customers in Astound’s markets.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Bark PhoneT-Mobile
Kids’ phone from online-safety company Bark, with service on the T-Mobile network under a multi-year MVNO agreement (announced by Bark in 2022; service active in 2026).
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Boost MobileAT&TT-MobileMultiple networks
EchoStar brand, now a hybrid MNO: Boost’s own 5G core connects to AT&T’s cell sites for primary coverage, with continued access to the T-Mobile network. EchoStar sold its 3.45 GHz and 600 MHz spectrum to AT&T (about $23 billion, announced August 26, 2025; AT&T closed the purchase in July 2026) and no longer operates a radio network of its own.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 29, 2026
- CapeAT&T
Privacy-focused carrier running its own mobile core and SIMs on partner radio networks — AT&T is the only partner Cape names (“multiple domestic nationwide and international roaming partners, including AT&T”). Premium-priced; general availability since January 2026 after launching on UScellular.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Consumer CellularAT&T
Popular with 50+ customers. Runs on AT&T: Consumer Cellular’s own coverage page names AT&T as its network partner, and its iOS carrier profile sets a single APN, att.mvno. The record carried an unverified T-Mobile claim from 2026-06-14 until 2026-09-12.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified September 12, 2026
- Cox MobileVerizon
Cable MVNO on the Verizon network with Cox Wi-Fi hotspot offload. Available only to Cox Internet customers, only in Cox’s footprint. Now a Charter brand.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 29, 2026
- Cricket WirelessAT&T
AT&T-owned prepaid brand running on the AT&T network.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 29, 2026
- FreedomPopAT&T
Freemium/budget brand now on the AT&T network (its own help pages specify AT&T-compatible GSM devices); the brand was acquired by Red Pocket Mobile in 2019 and repositioned toward the senior market in 2024.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Gen MobileAT&TT-MobileMultiple networks
EchoStar-owned budget brand whose network depends on the SIM/plan: its “Sky” variant is AT&T-compatible, “Rose” is T-Mobile-compatible, and “Orange” rides Boost — which itself now runs primarily on AT&T.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Google Fi WirelessT-Mobile
Runs on the T-Mobile network. Fi launched across several US networks and switched among them; the US Cellular partnership ended in February 2023, leaving T-Mobile as the only US host network. Some compatible phones can also use Wi-Fi calling and international roaming.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 29, 2026
- H2O WirelessAT&T
Long-running prepaid brand on the AT&T network (its coverage page carries AT&T’s coverage-map legal text); part of Telrite Holdings since 2019.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Helium MobileT-Mobile
Nationwide coverage on the T-Mobile network, supplemented by Helium’s own community-hotspot network where it exists. Acquired from Nova Labs by Noble Mobile (Andrew Yang) in June 2026; pricing kept unchanged at the time.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Kroger WirelessT-Mobile
Grocery-retail prepaid brand (ex-i-wireless) on the T-Mobile network, sold through Kroger-family stores with fuel-points perks. Kroger’s own pages name only “a leading nationwide mobile network operator”; independent sources name T-Mobile.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Lively (Jitterbug)Verizon
Seniors-focused carrier from Best Buy Health on the Verizon network (its BYOD page requires Verizon-compatible phones), known for Jitterbug phones and Urgent Response safety services. BYOD allowed since late 2025.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Mediacom MobileVerizon
Cable MVNO launched July 2024 “in partnership with Verizon” (Mediacom’s own release; the consumer site says only “the network awarded for Best 5G Reliability”). Sold to Mediacom internet/TV/phone customers in Mediacom’s markets.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Metro by T-MobileT-Mobile
T-Mobile’s in-house prepaid flanker brand running directly on the T-Mobile network.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified September 12, 2026
- Mint MobileT-Mobile
Prepaid, sold in multi-month bundles. Owned by T-Mobile since 2024.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 29, 2026
- MobileXVerizon
Usage-based brand from Boost Mobile founder Peter Adderton, on the Verizon network; sold online and at Walmart. Its own pages use only “America’s most reliable network” codewords.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Optimum MobileT-Mobile
MVNO on the T-Mobile network, run by Optimum Communications — the former Altice USA, renamed on November 7, 2025. Generally paired with Optimum internet.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 29, 2026
- PureTalkAT&T
Prepaid brand on the AT&T network (its own coverage page carries AT&T’s coverage-map legal text). Sister brands under Telrite include H2O Wireless.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Red Pocket MobileVerizonAT&TT-MobileMultiple networks
Offers SIMs for multiple major networks; you choose the network at purchase.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified September 12, 2026
- SafeLink WirelessVerizon
TracFone’s Lifeline (government-subsidy) brand on the Verizon network. Enrollment requires Lifeline eligibility — it is not a regular retail carrier.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Simple MobileVerizon
TracFone brand moved to the Verizon network after the 2021 acquisition — new signups get Verizon service. Anything describing Simple Mobile as a T-Mobile MVNO is out of date.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Spectrum MobileVerizon
Charter MVNO on the Verizon network; generally requires Spectrum internet service.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified September 12, 2026
- SpeedTalk MobileT-Mobile
Small prepaid brand on the T-Mobile network (named in its own terms), known for low-cost SIMs for smartwatches, GPS trackers, and IoT devices.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- StandUp WirelessT-Mobile
Lifeline (government-subsidy) provider on the T-Mobile network — named in its own coverage FAQ. Absorbed Q Link Wireless’s subscriber base in late 2024 and Liberty Wireless (which had taken Hello Mobile’s customers) by 2025.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Straight TalkVerizon
Verizon Value brand on the Verizon network. Older SIMs were provisioned across several networks; new activations are Verizon only.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 29, 2026
- TelloT-Mobile
Budget prepaid on the T-Mobile network with customizable plans. Tello is contractually barred from naming its host network, so this mapping rests on independent trackers rather than on the brand’s own confirmation.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified September 12, 2026
- TextNowAT&T
Wi-Fi-first free calling/texting service whose cellular side moved to a new host: TextNow’s previous (T-Mobile-based) network ended July 31, 2026, and SIMs activated since August 2025 use the new network, identified by independent sources as AT&T. TextNow itself does not name its carrier.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Total WirelessVerizon
Verizon-owned, sold through the Verizon Value unit (the former TracFone business). Briefly marketed as “Total by Verizon”; the brand is “Total Wireless” again today.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 29, 2026
- TracfoneVerizon
The original big US prepaid brand, Verizon-owned since November 2021 and now on the Verizon network. Its own pages say only “the network America relies on” — the Verizon name appears in the site’s trademark footer and in independent sources.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Troomi WirelessAT&T
Kids-focused carrier on the AT&T network (named on its own homepage and terms), selling locked-down Samsung phones with a parental-control OS.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- TwigbyVerizon
Independent budget prepaid brand on the Verizon network. Twigby’s own pages describe the host only as “the nation’s largest and most reliable” carrier; independent 2026 sources name Verizon.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Ultra MobileT-Mobile
Prepaid; sister brand to Mint Mobile under T-Mobile.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 29, 2026
- US MobileVerizonT-MobileAT&TMultiple networks
Lets you pick a network: Verizon (“Warp”), T-Mobile (“Light Speed”), or AT&T (“Dark Star”). Choose the one with the best coverage where you live.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 29, 2026
- VisibleVerizon
Verizon-owned, digital-only prepaid brand on the Verizon network.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified September 12, 2026
- Walmart Family MobileVerizon
Walmart-retailed TracFone brand, now on the Verizon network. Its long-running “powered by T-Mobile” branding is obsolete — legacy lines are being moved via free Verizon SIM swaps.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 8, 2026
- Xfinity MobileVerizon
Comcast MVNO on the Verizon network under a long-running wholesale agreement, repriced in early 2026; offloads data to Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots. Typically requires being an Xfinity internet customer for the best pricing.
Official site (opens in a new tab) · Verified August 29, 2026
How to use this
Pick a brand to see which carrier network it resells, then check that carrier’s coverage map for your exact area. The host network determines your coverage footprint; the MVNO determines your price, plan, and customer service. If a brand lists multiple networks, the one you get depends on the SIM or plan you pick.
Or go the other way round
If you already know which network you want, these pages list every brand we have verified on it, with each brand’s own notes and caveats:
Why the host network matters
- Coverage follows the host network — so compare carriers where you live and travel.
- Speed at peak times can be lower on an MVNO because its traffic may be deprioritized behind the carrier’s own customers when a tower is busy.
- Features like hotspot allowances, international roaming, and 5G bands can be limited compared with the carrier’s own plans.
Sources, dates & limitations
-
Each MVNO’s own public disclosures and coverage pages (manually verified) Editorial / manually verified
Data as of September 12, 2026. Last checked September 12, 2026.
Limitations & caveats
- Host-network relationships change when brands are acquired or switch carriers; we date every entry and re-check periodically.
- This tool identifies the host network only — it is not a coverage or availability check for your address.
- On congested cell sites, MVNO traffic may be deprioritized behind the carrier’s own postpaid customers.
Practical next steps
- Check your host network’s coverage map for your home and commute areas.
- Browse every brand on Verizon
- Browse every brand on AT&T
- Browse every brand on T-Mobile
- Compare the internet/data options where you live
- Learn why coverage maps can be wrong
- Read the connectivity glossary (MVNO, deprioritization, bands)
Frequently asked questions
What is an MVNO?
A Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) is a phone brand that does not own a cellular network. Instead it resells service on one of the major carriers’ networks — Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile — often at a lower price.
Does an MVNO have the same coverage as the host network?
Coverage is essentially the host network’s coverage, but the experience can differ. On a busy cell site, MVNO traffic may be deprioritized behind the carrier’s own postpaid customers, so speeds can be slower at peak times. Always check the host network’s coverage for your specific area.
Why do some brands list more than one network?
Some brands (for example US Mobile, Straight Talk, or Red Pocket) operate on multiple carrier networks. The network you get depends on the SIM or plan you choose, so confirm the specific network before you rely on its coverage.
How current is this list?
Each entry shows a “verified” date. MVNO–carrier relationships change (brands get acquired or switch networks), so we re-check periodically and date every record. If you spot an out-of-date entry, please report a correction.
No guarantee. Coverage and availability change and can differ between neighboring addresses. Results here are informational, sourced and dated where possible, and not a guarantee of service. Always verify directly with the provider before ordering. Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.