Articles by Joe Paonessa
Joe Paonessa
Joe Paonessa is the founder of BestMVNO.com. He started BestMVNO in 2013, because like many of you, he was unhappy with the high price he was paying his wireless provider for cell phone service. After researching how to cut costs on his phone bill, he came across the terms MVNO and prepaid wireless, and learned there was a way he could keep using his favorite network without having to pay a premium price for it.
Through BestMVNO.com, Joe shares his research and experiences with MVNOs and prepaid wireless providers, helping others learn how to save money on their phone bills. Joe's current providers are T-Mobile Prepaid and MobileX. When he's not working on BestMVNO, you may find Joe playing pickleball or going out for a run. For inquiries use the contact button.
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Through BestMVNO.com, Joe shares his research and experiences with MVNOs and prepaid wireless providers, helping others learn how to save money on their phone bills. Joe's current providers are T-Mobile Prepaid and MobileX. When he's not working on BestMVNO, you may find Joe playing pickleball or going out for a run. For inquiries use the contact button.
Follow Joe on LinkedIn
Boost Mobile Launches Mix & Match Family Plans With Discounts In Dealer Stores
A source confirmed to BestMVNO that the Boost Mobile dealer channel is undergoing some changes. Dealers can now provide customers the ability to mix and match plans on their accounts with discounts on Boost’s flagship store plans. Customers on Boost’s $50 and $60 store plans will receive a $20 discount
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Metro by T-Mobile’s Free Phones For All Offer Is A Deceptive Trick To Lock You Into Paying More
John Freier, the President of T-Mobile’s U.S. Consumer Group, released a video today claiming to be “changing wireless for good” by offering Metro by T-Mobile’s first Un-carrier move. Free phones for all, including existing customers. He also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to “wireless without the gotcha.” But this author couldn’t
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T-Mobile Pulls Fast One On FCC, Extends Metro’s Unlock Policy To 365 Days Post-Mint Mobile Acquisition
On 4/23/24, T-Mobile informed the FCC that if it were allowed to acquire Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile it would immediately change the device unlock policy for each brand to 60 days. On 4/25/24, T-Mobile received approval from the FCC to acquire the brands, and the deal was closed on
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H2O Wireless Targets Multi-Line Customers With $25/Line For “Unlimited”
H2O Wireless, a sister brand to PureTalk, has launched a new offer targeting prospective multi-line customers. Through 8/31/24, new customers who activate a multi-line plan on H2O’s $50 unlimited plan will get each line for just $25/line for up to four lines. H2O Wireless is also running an in-store-only dealer
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TextNow’s Free Phone Plan Now Comes With “Essential Data”
TextNow has updated its free unlimited talk and text phone plan to include what it is calling “Free Essential Data.” Free Essential Data is free data that can be used with specific apps and services. Plan subscribers will get free data for email, maps, and rideshare apps. TextNow’s advertising partners
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US Mobile Launches Manual Network Switching Tool
US Mobile has launched a new manual network switching tool. The company is tentatively calling it TelePortal. The tool is currently in beta testing, and US Mobile’s founder, Ahmed Khattak, has asked Reddit users to help name the feature. Hat tip to Stetson Doggett for pointing this change out to
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Helium Mobile Touts 62k Subs, Adds Group Plans & Pixel Phones With Free Service
Helium Mobile, a startup that operates as both an MVNO and a carrier, has experienced a highly productive few months. At the end of April, Helium Foundation board member Arman Dezfuli-Arjomandi posted on X that Helium Mobile had added 62,463 subscribers since January 1. Of course, that number doesn’t indicate
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Visible Launches $10 Off Unlimited Plans For 3-Months, $240 Off Google Pixels
Visible by Verizon has some new and recently launched offers. New customers can get their first three months of service on either of Visible by Verizon’s unlimited plans at a $10/month discount when the promo code MOOLAH is used at checkout. Additionally, Visible offers new members up to $240 off
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DISH Follies Continue, Boost Mobile Stores Face Stiff Penalties For Closing Early
According to documents shared with BestMVNO, Boost Mobile dealers operating branded locations will face a chargeback/fine for store closures. Dealers closing a store for an entire day will face a $250 penalty, while those closing early will be fined up to $125. Store operators must gain approval from the Boost
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T-Mobile’s Acquisition Of Mint Mobile Gains FCC Approval, Deal Closing May 1
The FCC stated on 4/25/24 that it approved T-Mobile’s acquisition of the Ka’ena Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile. The approval came just two days after T-Mobile notified the FCC that it would implement a new 60-day unlocking policy for Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile if
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SurgePays, Inc. Readies Launch Of Linkup Mobile
SurgePays, Inc (SURG), a publicly traded company is set to launch a new wireless MVNO service, Linkup Mobile, according to the latest prepaid report from Wave7 Research sent to subscribers. The company is set to have a booth in this year’s All Wireless & Prepaid Expo in Las Vegas, scheduled
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Boost Mobile’s Secret $10/Mo 3-Month Trial Unlimited Plan Is Still Kicking
Boost Mobile continues to run a secret new customer trial offer. The promo will give customers an unlimited plan with 35GB of monthly high-speed data for $10/month. An upfront payment of $30 is required at sign-up. The plan duration is 90 days. I’m calling it a secret offer because it’s
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Consumer Cellular Announces 2nd Month Free, Signs Fred Couples & 3 Other Golf Legends To Marketing Deals
Consumer Cellular has relaunched a second-month free promotion, as noted in the latest edition of Wave7 Research’s prepaid report. BestMVNO reported the same type of offer running last July. Switchers that subscribe to Consumer Cellular by May 31, will get their second month of service free. The MVNO is running
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Streak Snapped! Ultra Mobile Wins Wave7 Research Prepaid Dealer Survey
For the first time since its inception, the Wave7 Research quarterly prepaid dealer survey has a new winner. Ultra Mobile won the 1Q24 survey, breaking Simple Mobile’s record of 36 consecutive wins since the survey’s debut in 1Q15. Ultra Mobile was found in 19 of 30 dealers surveyed up from
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Visible by Verizon Introduces Annual Phone Plan Discount Options
Several outlets, including Android Authority and 9to5Google, are reporting that Visible by Verizon is releasing annual phone plan options for its Visible and Visible+ plans. The base Visible plan will be discounted to $275 annually or an average cost of $22.92/month down from its base rate of $25/month. That saves
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