Tello
T-Mobile MVNO, very low-cost
Type: MVNO · Network: T-Mobile · Official site
Our take on Tello
What’s good
- Cheapest mainstream US cell plan: $5/month for 1 GB or $10/month for 5 GB
- Runs on T-Mobile network — broad coverage and mid-band 5G in metros
- Build-your-own structure lets you tune minutes, texts, and data independently
- No contract, no credit check; pay-as-you-go entry tiers available
- Family lines start at $5/line with the 1 GB plan
What’s not
- No retail support; account management is app and web only
- Hotspot caps are small (5 GB on the $10 plan, none on the $5)
- Limited international roaming — better suited for US-only use
- Customer support is chat-and-email primary
Best for: Light-data users, kids' first phones, hand-me-down devices, dedicated work-only second lines.
Not for: Heavy data or hotspot users; anyone who needs in-person account help.
Plans
Compare with similar carriers
Frequently asked questions
- What network does Tello use?
Tello is an MVNO that runs on the T-Mobile network. Coverage is identical to T-Mobile postpaid in any given location, since both ride the same towers and spectrum. Speeds during congestion may be slightly lower because MVNO traffic is deprioritized vs the underlying carrier's postpaid customers.
- Is Tello an MVNO or MNO?
Tello is an MVNO — a Mobile Virtual Network Operator. They lease wholesale capacity from T-Mobile and resell it under their own brand at typically lower prices.
- What is the cheapest Tello plan?
The cheapest Tello plan we have on file is 2GB Plus Talk at $10.00/month. See the plans table above for the full list.
- Where can I check Tello coverage?
Tello rides the T-Mobile network, so its coverage is the same as T-Mobile's. We have a county-level coverage map at /coverage/tello, derived from public FCC Broadband Data Collection data. Enter your ZIP to see strong/fair/poor/none classification at your specific address.
- How do I switch to Tello from another carrier?
Sign up at https://tello.com, choose "transfer my existing number," and provide your current carrier's account number, port-out PIN, and billing ZIP code. Most ports complete in 15 minutes to 4 hours. Never cancel your old service before the port completes — it usually closes automatically. See our switching guide for the full walkthrough.
- Can I bring my own phone to Tello?
Yes — Tello supports BYOD. Your phone needs to be unlocked (carrier-locked phones must be unlocked first by the original carrier) and band-compatible with the underlying network. Activation is via eSIM or physical SIM depending on the device and carrier.
- Does Tello support 5G?
Yes. Tello supports 5G via the underlying T-Mobile network — sub-6 GHz (low-band + mid-band/C-band) on most plans. mmWave 5G availability depends on the specific plan tier and your phone's hardware. Speeds in the 200–700 Mbps range are typical on mid-band 5G in covered areas.