Mobi: What Are the Pros and Cons?
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 Mobi 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 Mobi so that you can make an informed decision on if this is the best place for you to spend your money.
How Mobi Plans Work
Mobi originally operated as a stand-alone MNO wireless carrier in Hawai’i. It had its own wireless network and launched its service in 2005. However, in 2014, Mobi sold its wireless spectrum to Verizon Wireless but did lease spectrum back from Verizon to continue to service its customers.
In January of 2023, Mobi announced its formal intentions to expand services into the continental USA, and later into Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Prior to the announcement, Mobi had been operating under the radar in the continental United States as a Verizon MVNO.
The new Mobi wireless will piggyback on T-Mobile’s network. The company has partnered with Working Group Two to use Amazon Web Services which will provide Mobi with a cloud-based mobile core. It will use the core to allow it to operate as an app-first-based service provider on T-Mobile. Through the cloud core, Mobi will be able to provision its customers onto the T-Mobile network and independently activate specific features for specific users. The core will provide Mobi with the ability to quickly scale from single users to hundreds of millions of users supporting different types of devices in a cost-efficient way.
Supported Phones And BYOD Devices
Any unlocked device compatible with the T-Mobile network will work with Mobi.