- Phones available for a variety of budgets
- Regularly ranks tops in JD Power reports for customer support and satisfaction
- Shareable data plans
- AARP members save additional 5%
- Sold in Walmarts, Targets, and small number of branded dealer stores
- A bit more expensive than other MVNOs
Since 2013, I’ve been researching, reviewing, and writing about the wireless industry through BestMVNO with a focus on MVNOs.
In this guide, I will explain everything you need to know about Consumer Cellular before you subscribe. I’ll review each of their phone plans with you, and go over any gotchas that they might have. I want you to learn the ins and outs of Consumer Cellular so that you can make an informed decision on if this is the best place for you to spend your money.
Consumer Cellular Phone Plans
Last Updated: Sep 27, 2024Single Line Postpaid Plans
Postpaid Family Plans
Discounted Postpaid Plans For Seniors Ages 50-55+
How Consumer Cellular Plans Work
Consumer Cellular is an MVNO that operates on the AT&T network. The company was founded in 1995 by John Marick and Greg Pryor and it is currently one of the largest and oldest MVNOs in the USA ((source: Consumer Cellular)). It was purchased in October of 2020, by the investment firm GTCR for $2.3 billion.
Consumer Cellular’s target demographic are those aged 50 years and up. It has been an AARP provider since 2008 and it offers exclusive discounts and benefits to those who are AARP members.
In terms of customer satisfaction, the company has consistently ranked tops by various organizations such as Consumer Reports, J.D. Power and Market Force.
Voice only plans are available as are shared family plans. Customers can add a line to an account at a price of $20/month for the first additional line and $15 for each line thereafter. Data is shared between lines. Except for times of heavy network traffic, network speeds are equivalent to AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s.
In the fall of 2021, Consumer Cellular lowered the price of its single-line plans by offering $5/month auto-pay billing discounts. A new 7GB plan was also introduced at that time but has since been discontinued.
In March of 2023, Consumer Cellular reduced the number of plans offered to a total of three. A 1GB $20 plan, a 10GB $35 plan, and a $50 50GB unlimited data plan. The 50GB plan includes data speeds at 1.5Mbps after the high-speed allotment has been reached. Customers going over their allotted data on the 1GB and 10GB plans will automatically have their plan upgraded to the next higher tier.
In June 2023, Consumer Cellular increased the number of plans offered to four by bringing back its $25/month 5GB plan.
Supported Phones And BYOD Devices
Consumer Cellular sells a variety of phones for those who need to purchase one. They are also available for purchase through Target. Those who already have an out of contract AT&T device or T-Mobile device can bring it to the network if they so wish. Most universally unlocked phones from manufacturer’s such as Motorola and Samsung are compatible with the network.
Where To Buy Service Plans And SIM Cards
Cell phone plans can be purchased online directly from Consumer Cellular, through several independent dealers, and through regional stores such as Bi-Mart. Consumer Cellular has an in-store partnership with Target, where Target serves as a support and activation center for provider.
Year Founded: 1995
Consumer Cellular Contact Information
Website: https://consumercellular.com/12123 and 12447
SW 69th Ave.
Tigard, Oregon
How To Port Out Of Consumer Cellular
Porting out requires you to know your account number and PIN number. Your account number can be found on any bill or invoice that you may have, in your online account or by calling the company at 1-(888)-345-5509. Your PIN number is the last 4 digits of your social security number.
Phone Unlock Policy
Consumer Cellular will unlock your device for you free of charge if:
- Your phone has been fully paid off
- It has been used on the network for at least 6 months
- Your account is in good standing and no money is owed
- Your phone has not been reported lost or stolen
If you meet all requirements, you can call Consumer Cellular at 1 (800) 686-4460 to obtain your device unlock code.
My best buddy from junior high school kept telling me to switch from Verizon to Consumer Cellular. Since then, I’ve passed on the good word to other friends and my girlfriend. CC is best. AT&T was good. Verizon was the absolute worst.
Not impressed. I’ve gone through 5 phones – each phone had issues. Motorola phones wouldn’t hold a data signal – kept disconnecting and I mean frequently. 50 to 60 times in an hour. ZMax 10 phones either locked and emitted a screeching noise or settings kept reverting (notifications, rings, chat to SMS to chat etc). Makes me think they’re buying substandard phones as both brands are owned by Chinese companies.
CSRs knowledge is too superficial. Spent hours making 3 phone calls trying to find out what bands their server operates on.
Their customer support is not knowledgeable in their service as far as which bands they operate on. They did not even know what this meant. Unfortunately I do and needed this info so I could choose between one of three phones I was looking at, all of which are 4G LTE phones but the LTE is only on certain bands. This is basic information that they are not providing to their representatives.
When it works it is good. When you have a connection issue. Support was disappointing.
reply