Top 10 Most Popular MVNOs for the Month of May 2015

Every so often new prepaid phone plans come out that garner your interest.  Sometimes the new plans are game changing other times they end up being duds.  Sometimes the network behind the plan makes or breaks it for you, sometimes its the price.

Below you'll find a list of the MVNOs and their plans that you felt were the most interesting for the month of May 2015.  Some are clearly here solely because of their price, while others made the list due to their price per network area covered.

Most Popular MVNOs in May 2015

10.   Page Plus Cellular

Page Plus Cellular was the 10th most popular MVNO on BestMVNO.com in May.  The prepaid provider has been around for quite some time and is one of the longest tenured Verizon MVNOs.  Page Plus has a value plan for $29.95 that includes 500 Mb of LTE data with 1200 minutes of talk and 3000 texts 1GB of 4G LTE data, 1500 minutes and unlimited text.  The other Page Plus Cellular plan listed on BestMVNO is the 55 for $55 which includes unlimited, talk, text and data, with 3 GB of 4G LTE and throttle speeds of 64 Kbps.  The plan also includes 200 international minutes to landlines.

9. Republic Wireless

Republic Wireless has 4 plans, and operates as a wi-fi first provider for talk, text, and data, and uses Sprint for a cellular connection as a backup when no wi-fi is available.  The four plans cost $5, $10, $25, and $40 with only the latter two including data.  The $40 plan includes 5 GB of LTE data, while the $25 plan includes 5 GB of 3G data.  The $5 plan only works on wi-fi and the $10 plan includes a cellular connection.  For the  month of May, the only plan listed on BestMVNO was for $25, and it was the 9th most popular plan/MVNO for the month.

8.  BYO Wireless

BYO Wireless operates as an MVNO on the Verizon and T-Mobile networks.  The pseudo carrier provides some good plans for those who are light users that don't require a lot of talk, text and data.  The plan that seems to grab everyone's attention can be found in the cheapest plans table and includes 500 minutes of talk, 500 MB of LTE or 3G data depending on if you are on T-Mobile or Verizon, and unlimited texting for $20.  A 5% discount is offered to those who signup for auto renew.

7.   H2O Wireless

H2O Wireless operates as an MVNO on the ATT network.  The provider offers good coverage, unlimited talk and text, and 500 MB of LTE data for those who are light data users.  Global SMS and a $10 international calling credit are also included at a cost of $27 for their most popular plan on BestMVNO.

6. Total Wireless

Total Wireless is a a new comer to the MVNO world having launched just a few short months ago.  The provider offers great coverage as it operates on Verizon's network, and also offers great value to those who don't require LTE data speeds.  The plans that seem to be grabbing everyone's attention cost $28.33 and $35 per month for unlimited talk and text, with either 500 MB monthly 3G data or 2.5 GB respectively.  For the $28.33 a month plan a special data add on card is required which includes rollover data.

5.  Net10 Wireless

Net10 Wireless has been around for a long time and is a provider that operates on all 4 major networks.  They offer a handful off different plans but only one is covered on this website and it seems to be pretty popular.  $45 a month gets you unlimited talk, text, and data with the first 5 GB being 4G LTE if you bring your own device, otherwise you get 3 GB of LTE data speeds.  After your LTE allotment gets used up, speeds get reduced to 64 kbps.

4. FreedomPop

FreedomPop in some regards is a surprise to me that it's not ranked higher in the list as it is the only provider that offers truly free service with 500 MB of LTE data, 200 minutes talk, and 500 SMS.  The free plan as well as the $20 a month unlimited everything plan with 1 GB of LTE data garner a lot of attention.  FreedomPop operates on the Sprint network, and the service does not include MMS, or voicemail. Voicemail costs a tiny bit extra.  These are probably some of the reasons why the MVNO is not number 1 on the list.

3. Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless is the third most popular provider on BestMVNO and the reasons for the popularity are pretty easy to understand.  All of Cricket Wireless's plans include unlimited talk, text and data.  Their $35 plan is the only one listed in a BestMVNO table and it includes 2.5 GB of LTE data.  Currently there is no other ATT MVNO that offers more LTE data for less.  It's important to note that LTE download speeds are limited to 8 Mbps while upload speeds have no limit.  Throttle speeds max out at 128 Mbps.

2. Straight Talk

Straight Talk is another provider that offers service on all 4 major networks.  What's interesting here is that the provider ranks 3 spots ahead of its sister MVNO, NET10 Wireless.  Straight Talk essentially offers the exact same plans as NET10, although NET10 requires auto pay to be enabled to reach the same price points as Straight Talk.  For the month of May, the only plan listed in the BestMVNO tables costs $45 for unlimited talk, text and data with the first 5 GB being LTE if you bring your own device, otherwise 3 GB of LTE data is included.

1.  Red Pocket Mobile

Red Pocket Mobile is the leader of the pack in terms of popularity for the month of May.  Up until June 6th, this prepaid wireless provider offered service on all 4 major networks with a variety of price points and features that were and are covered by BestMVNO.com.  All of Red Pocket's plans contribute to its number ranking for popularity, however its $19.99 plan which operates on Verizon's network seems to be the most popular.  The $19.99 plan includes 300 minutes of talk, unlimited text and 1 GB of 3G data.  There isn't another Verizon MVNO out there that offers more 3G data for less than what Red Pocket sells it for.